I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven
The Callous Daoboys have found more room for songs inside their chaos. I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven moves through jagged metalcore, pop melodies, jazz and softer electronic passages, often within the same track. The changes are extreme, but a strong sense of purpose keeps the Atlanta band’s third album from sounding like a random collection of tricks.
The record is presented as an exhibit in a future Museum of Failure. That idea gives its personal themes a useful frame, without requiring a detailed explanation before the music can work. After the spoken opening, “Schizophrenia Legacy” quickly shows how broad the approach has become. Aggressive guitar passages make way for more melodic sections and a relaxed saxophone-led turn. The contrasts are large, yet the hooks give the song a recognisable shape.
“Tears on Lambo Leather” leans into the heavier side, with Adam Easterling adding another harsh voice. Its move into “Lemon” is one of the album’s most striking changes. The latter uses a lighter groove, softer guitar and a much more direct pop approach. “Body Horror for Birds” extends that calmer side, letting the band explore a slower, more open arrangement without losing its personality.
Carson Pace helps tie these different sounds together. He can move between abrasive delivery and clear melody while keeping the writing personal. “Distracted by The Mona Lisa” makes the melodic side especially direct, with an emo-influenced hook that sits comfortably beside the stranger material. The band are willing to write an inviting chorus without removing the rough edges around it.
The main reservation is the scale. At close to an hour, the album asks for sustained attention, and the nearly twelve-minute “Country Song in Reverse” carries more weight than its ideas always need. The extended finish has strong moments, but a tighter arrangement would leave a clearer impression.
Even so, this is an unusually successful mix of extremes. The heavy sections have impact, the quieter songs have real shape, and the stylistic changes reveal more than the band’s record collection. It is a rewarding choice for listeners who want adventurous heavy music with memorable melodies and an unpredictable sense of humour.
