STYLE: Hard Music RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 159529-23554 LABEL: Sky Burns Black FORMAT: Digital Only Album
Reviewed by Ian Webber
Although completely in keeping with the SkyBurnsBlack label of brutal hardcore, this California-based foursome have produced what is at times quite an experimental EP. From the opening strings and keys to some jazz-influenced sections the listener is kept on their toes throughout. The overall body of the material is, however, unrelenting and in your face noise. Guitars pulsate and scratch their way through eight short tracks. As with most punk material produced, there is a raw edge to the recording which leaves the drums sounding disappointingly woolly, but the rhythms are tight and are held together with some impressive and intricate bass lines. The opening track features an intriguing mix of scratchy lead vocals and a guttural growl that trade some forthright lyrics. "The Last Jihad" pleads for the deliverance of Israel in similar fashion as Saul Of Tarsus are not shy to comment on world issues. The album closes with probably the best track of the collection. "Road To Damascus" is a showcase of the all the best that the band have to offer. A supremely fast riff punctuated by strong bass runs finishes off a promising album that would hold together better if a little more work had been done in production.
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