No Love Has Been Lost is a fierce and unforgiving force in the hardcore scene, with the New Year of the Knife album hitting like a punch to the gut. The band has clearly put in some serious work to create an album that's tight, brutal, and unrelentingly honest. It’s a sonic assault that is not only aggressive but also soul-crushing in its intensity.
One of the standout features of this record is Madi's debut as the band's lead vocalist. She completely owns this role, delivering a level of aggression and raw emotion that’s rarely seen in the hardcore scene today. Her vocal performance is nothing short of explosive — she doesn’t just sing, she rips into each track with a ferocity that commands attention. Madi’s presence on this album is undeniable, and she truly knocks it out of the park. It’s the kind of vocal performance that sticks with you long after the album ends.
The guest vocalists also play their parts perfectly, contributing their talents at just the right moments. Their appearances are well-placed, adding to the overall intensity without ever overshadowing the core of the band’s sound. Each vocalist brings something unique, blending seamlessly with the rest of the chaos.
The guitars on New Year of the Knife are relentless and menacing. The riffs are sharp and crunchy, adding a gritty layer to the music that keeps the intensity high from start to finish. There’s a definite crispness to the guitar tone, and while some of the riffs lean toward simplicity, they do their job in amplifying the overall heaviness of the record. They may not be overly complex, but they’re effective in keeping the energy up and adding to the sonic assault.
The drums are another high point. The power and precision behind the kit are impressive, and the fills are especially satisfying. They have a way of catching you off guard, coming in at just the right moments to elevate a song or to add a burst of energy that makes you smile. The rhythm section has a tightness to it that adds a solid foundation to the chaos happening up top.
The bass, while solid, often gets buried beneath the sheer volume of the guitars and drums. When it does manage to make its presence felt, it’s dirty and powerful, but it’s a little too easy for the other instruments to overpower it in the mix. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something worth noting for listeners who appreciate bass-heavy moments.
If there’s one area where New Year of the Knife falters a bit, it’s in the production during the first half of the album. There’s a certain emptiness or flatness to the sound early on, like something crucial is missing. It leaves the music feeling a bit hollow at times, and you can’t help but feel like it’s lacking that final punch. However, as the album progresses, the production tightens up. By the second half, the mix feels fuller and more dynamic, making the latter portion of the album hit harder.
Overall, No Love Has Been Lost delivers a raw, unforgiving, and relentless album that showcases the band's growth and Madi’s standout debut as a vocalist. While the first half may leave you wanting a bit more in terms of production, the energy and aggression make up for it, especially as the album progresses. It’s a brutal listen, but one that hardcore fans will appreciate for its honesty, power, and sheer intensity.
RATING: 8/10
NOTIABLE TRACKS:
Wish
Last Laugh
Heaven Denied
No Love Lost