Combust, one of the hardest-working names in today’s New York hardcore scene, return with Belly of the Beasty, a no-frills, no-fake-hype assault that cements their place in the lineage of East Coast aggression. From the very first feedback swell, this album hits like a bat to the teeth — but what’s striking is how much groove, intent, and clarity of identity they pack into such a raw and furious format.

This isn’t just hardcore — this is New York Hardcore through and through. You can feel the fingerprints of legacy bands like Madball, Sick of It All, Leeway, and Crown of Thornz, but Combust isn’t playing tribute. They’re part of that lineage now, writing chapters of their own. Belly of the Beasty is the sound of subway trains, boot prints on concrete, and city blocks under orange streetlights. It’s tense, volatile, but deeply human — the kind of hardcore that lives in the details: the bass tone, the shouted backing vocals, the brief moment of silence before a drop.

One of the standout features across the entire LP is the bass — thick, rumbling, and always present. It doesn’t just hold the rhythm; it often leads the songs forward. Tracks like Truth Hurts, Everyone’s Enemy, and Swallowing Swords make this clearer than ever. Whether it's locked in tight with the kick drum or letting loose with groove-heavy lines during breakdowns, Combust’s bass tone feels like a second voice on this record, saying just as much as the lyrics.

Frontman Andrew Vacante’s vocals are shredded, raw, and pushed through the mix like a clenched fist. There’s a physicality to the performance that fits the record’s themes of betrayal, identity, resilience, and frustration. He doesn’t scream for effect — he sounds like he’s trying to tear something out of his own throat. And while some moments, especially earlier tracks, suffer from the vocals being slightly buried in the mix, that ends up adding to the feeling of compression, pressure, and tension that permeates the record.

Hardcore has always been about community, and Combust invites several key voices to the party. N.Y.H.C. features Danny Diablo, one of the scene’s most legendary figures, who brings the fire in a song that feels like a street anthem. Our Own Breed sees Rory O’Neill (Worn) bringing crushing weight to the guest spot, while Tiger Style II features Ryan Griffith delivering a voicemail that sets the tone before launching into a fast, blistering attack. Scott Vogel (Terror) and Chiqui Rodriguez (Reaching Out) also show up, adding color and aggression while reinforcing Combust’s position within a national hardcore movement that values authenticity over hype.

Unlike many hardcore records that rush to the finish line, Belly of the Beasty takes its time. It’s not a long record by traditional standards, but each track feels fully realized, never rushed, never filler. The drumming is tight and responsive, using quick hi-hat flicks and massive tom fills to shift dynamics at just the right moments. Fear in the Streets and Crossed Off stand out especially for their ability to let the groove breathe before snapping into explosive motion.

And then there’s the guitar work. Combust keeps the riffs simple but effective, using rhythmic shifts, tight chugs, and melodic accents to build tension. Tracks like Paid with Pain and Distorted Dreams feature clever scale-based riffs that stick in your head, showing the band’s musicality without going flashy. When the breakdowns come, they feel earned. They don’t rely on gimmicks — they’re built from solid songwriting and tension.

The final stretch of the album keeps things intense while showing just a touch of expansion. Atlas, the closer, shifts the tone slightly. The vocals take on a lower, more menacing register, and while the riffs themselves are somewhat straightforward, the track leaves a sense of finality — not a fade-out, but a closing of the gates. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it rolls over everything in its path.

What Belly of the Beasty achieves so well is balance. It respects the past while still being relevant in today’s hardcore climate. It’s not overly polished, but it’s not undercooked either. It doesn’t posture — it moves with intention and fire. This is the sound of a band who knows who they are and what they want to say — and they’re not waiting for permission to say it.

Combust delivers a brutal, groove-filled, and street-hardened album with Belly of the Beasty. The band manages to be both disciplined and chaotic, fierce and funky, immediate and timeless. For fans of hardcore that isn’t afraid to slow down, break down, and throw down — this is a record that will earn your respect and repeated listens.

RATING: 8.5/10