XIALO : "CONTROL"

I am skeptical of bands who distinguish themselves as power violence, as they are typically either hardcore bands writing short songs or grindcore bands. This band from Sweden is a hardcore band that plays short songs. The first two songs sound similar and now I find myself waiting to hear what kind of dynamics, if any, they are going to employ. They do come up with some convincing stomping breakdown riffs and have a decent bass tone driving things. The vocals just kind of rank, in an old school punk manner. 

A minute and a half works for them as it keeps all their good ideas in one place. The drummer keeps the pace frantic on the title track. They remind me of "Suicidal Tendencies more feral moments on their first album, with some growl vocals and random guitar noise creeping through. They slow down going into "Don't Tell Them". Their best riff is also their most metallic riff, which powers "Wrong". though they lash out with a faster punk fury to spread it thin with the blur of mania. But rein it all back in. I prefer this to the one-minute spasm that is "Legends." 

They continue to blitz you with hammering speed on "Karoshi." There is a lot of feedback or experimental sounds to bridge the songs. There are more deliberate moments that are the best in terms of hooky songwriting you would want to listen to again, and when they explode into a temper tanrum, it sounds like every other hardcore band that does similar. At two and a half minutes, "End of Times" is the band's longest song. It also has some of the most purposeful songwriting. "Sweden's Hardcore Band" also has some riffs with purpose. There is more of a stomp to "In the Weeds" before it blasts off. I will give this album an 8.5, as it's powerful for what they do, but could stand to hear more dynamics. 

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