“Pain Is A Warning” is the ninth studio album from TITD (which at this point includes the band’s leader and the only permanent member Steve Austin, as well as Ryan Jones and Curran Reynolds, a rhythm section of the New York band Wetnurse).

The one thing you can always expect out of a Today is the Day album is the unexpected. Since 1992, guitarist and vocalist Steve Austin and a revolving cast of musicians (including a couple that went on to form metal juggernauts Mastodon) have warped the outer reaches of metal and noise-rock. On its ninth full-length album, Pain is a Warning, Today is the Day has taken another turn, this time making good on the band’s past melodic flirtations and wrenching out charred riffs something not unlike a classicAC/DC record.

But for all of its surprising accessibility, Pain is a Warning still sounds like a Today is the Day record. And while my favorite song from the album, which just so happens to be the title track, is a total whiskey ‘n’ roll barn burner ready to tear up Saturday night, it comes from a dark period in Steve Austin’s life in a phrase coined by his 10 year-old son.

NPR

“Pain” is a follow-up to 2007 “Axis Of Eden” LP and was produced by Kurt Bailou (Converge). Its also the first album that the band recorded for Black Market Activities label.

Tracklist

1. Expectations Exceed Reality

2. Death Curse

3. Pain Is A Warning

4. Wheelin’

5. The Devil’s Blood

6. Remember To Forget

7. Slave To Serenity

8. This Is You

9. Samurai

Reviews: Revolver | Sputnikmusic | Verbicide

See also: NPR’s All Songs Considered – Interview/Song Premiere