Oh, where do I even begin? There’s so much to appreciate about the energy this band brings, particularly in how their songs are structured. The arrangements are full of life, and there’s no denying that they’ve got some seriously fun tracks to play. The way the guitars blend elements of crossover and thrash is impressive, with a raw, driving sound that really grabs your attention. The drums have a big, hollow sound that makes them feel both massive and punchy, and the bass tone is deliciously gritty, adding a wonderful depth to the mix. Instrumentally, this band is definitely firing on all cylinders.
However, there’s a major stumbling block here, and it’s the vocalist. Honestly, it's hard to overlook how much this detracts from the overall experience. At times, the vocals are barely audible or, when they are clear, they sound unpolished, almost like the singer has never really honed his skills for a punk band. This makes it difficult to really connect with the songs, especially since vocals are such a central part of the genre. To make matters worse, the production often buries the vocals in the mix, leaving them feeling cluttered and hard to make out. Every time I’d start to get into a track, the vocals would pull me out of it, leaving me unable to fully engage with the song or remember it in the same way.
I’m sure this approach is intentional, and maybe it’s a stylistic choice to embrace that raw, unrefined, and chaotic feel of punk. But for me, it was a bit too much to handle. I really wanted to love this album, especially because I enjoy the song structures and the energy they’re bringing to the table. But those off-putting vocals just took away too much from the overall experience.
RATING:6.5/10
NOTIABLE TRACKS:
Subterranean
Blistered Skin
Inner City