This Canadian band plays a very metallic version of hardcore. They even throw in guitar solos to seal the deal. The vocals are screamed from a place of gnarled feral anguish. What I am going to be listening for here is not the intensity they hit you with but the keystones of songwriting, dynamics, and enough nuanced atmosphere that might allow the melody to sneak in amid the angry explosion. There is a slight hint of punk in the guitar melody to "The Black Painting" It's enough to work for me, as I know the emphasis here is on being confrontational as the guitar jab in your face.
The more chaotic banging of 'Thrash Melrose" finds them doubling down on the more abrasive elements of their sound. "Crowned In Yellow" is a more effective display of their talents, as it slightly winks in the direction of black metal at times. An actual melody that creates a shift in mood occurs at the beginning of "Doomynation". Though it is more of a theme as they shift back around, I appreciate the willingness to expand and experiment with their sound in this regard. "Jeanne Dark" feels like it evolved from the previous song. "Midnight Ride" is a more volatile temper tantrum of sound. "Turbograine" has a more rock n roll riff as its backbone.
When it comes to dark metallic hardcore these guys are doing a great job of keeping things varied as there is a more deliberate stomp to "Harakiri Ton Industries", though this song does gain unruly momentum. "Reality of Death in a Maze of Hope' works well. The focal riff hooks you in. Part two of "Doomynation" feels more like an outro, while I appreciate the atmosphere it provides, it does not feel like a song that stands on its own two legs. I will give this album a 9, and see how it sits, with me, but it's a compelling piece of dark metallic hardcore.
pst17
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