death pose : "Midnight Society"

 This Chicago band is being marketed as noise rock, when they are a hard-core band. There is a more angular dance with the riffs , but the vocal narrative has the mic out in the crowd, along with the explosive energy that pervades the song. They are likely a hard-core band that is into math rock, or a noise rock band with a hard-core singer, though the latter does not explain the punchy manner they attack their songs. This is their debut album, so they could still find themselves settling into who they are. Though they are already bringing breakdowns two songs in so I think it's settled. 

What this also gives a glimpse into, is how hardcore does not have to be strictly defined by the status quo. In fact is not what hardcore is supposed to be raging against. The pace picks up for "Double Hockey Sticks", the chorus is more sung than shouted. It gives things a more 90s post-hardcore feel. "Gardens of Salt" stomps along a more conventional hardcore path though they let their chords ring out with more dissonance. A cool metallic groove  keeps "Not Waving' moving in it's own direction. The metal influence continues to shine through in the guitars of "Love Thy Neighbor, Berate Thy Hostess".  Lyrically this is the best song yet. It makes fun of Christians in the real world. Things are not as air tight on "Imperfect Contrition".  The vocals are the most purposeful part of the song. 

"Untitled" is more of an instrumental interlude than a song. "Steady as Ever"  is the first song I can hear the noise rock feel they are trying to project, though vocals are punchy and punk. " Revisionist" gets a little darker and has more of a metal feel. I like how the vocals handle the verses. It comes closer to singing, while maintaining a more aggressive stance. It reminds me a little of Mastodon in this regard. The retain the metal influence for "Quadrophenia pt 2".  It finds a heavy groove to run off of.  "the Riverside" is another angular pounding that thrashes in a more punk fashion.  " This Side of Tomorrow" shows a more melodic side of the band, but if Converge can do that does not mean they are not still a hard core band .  I will give this a 9.5, it's one of the most interesting hard core albums I have heard this year. There might be angrier hard core band, but not many as adventurous. This drops October 20th on Brutal Panda Records.