Shit Luck - Slow Death (2013)

Demo / EP, Self-released / Independent
April 11th, 2013

Genre: Blackened Hardcore/Crust/Grindcore
Region: USA

I'm still working back through my (and others') 2012 list so those posts will get more regular between newer records, but for now another new and quick one. Florida's Shit Luck just released a pretty damn enjoyable eight minutes with this demo and I think some people here will enjoy it. I definitely am despite this subgenre becoming a little watterlogged.

Creatively this is a couple of big steps up from their 2012 release Expired which, upon checking it out, showed promise but did not hint at the fairly intriguing mash-up that we find in the five songs here. Just on a base level this is louder, grittier, far more aggressive and full sounding, tighter with a more interesting approach to the whole YAITW blackened crust style.

They're not breaking conventions but this four piece do push something refreshing to various degrees and I'm interested in where they're going to take it. You can expect lots of feedback between tracks and raspy hoarse vocals, though here the vocalist is slightly outside the mold while spitting themes of alienation, apathy, bitterness. The down-tuned ashen riffs whirling onward through thick, muffled distortion creating a pretty bleak atmosphere. On the other end the drumming is competent, pretty tight snare and keeps shit together well but the kicks are pretty weak.

However like Dephosphorus they find a comfortable and rewarding zone where grind, crust, and black metal influences break apart and reform in energetic, satisfying and very heavy ways. Definitely more on the grind side of things but the brief excursions involving larger doses crust/blackened-etc. work in both the slower closes ("Slow Death") and the galloping rhythms ("Maniputlate") and compliment the furious attack found everywhere else.

You're met with this immediately on the opener "Into The Chasm", the opening riff and percussion taking after Dephosphorus to some degree before spilling into a series of blurred, crackling hardcore rhythms. It's the title track and "Manipulate" that are the stand outs for sure though and are easily the best formulations of their sound — filth permeating the riffs and vocals and both ending with phenomenal, simple slowed sections. "Slow Death"'s first half is grind ridden assault with hints of crust, and once you cross into the second half shit gets crushing as a torturous, dark section consumes you. "Manipulate" is the second boulder of this demo though where the formula found in the title track is repeated without losing steam and with a devastating effect.

This contrasts pretty starkly with "Waste" which follows, as it is nothing but a 28 second grind wildfire that drops all other masks. And to a large degree this is the case with "Timeless Grief" but this does not make them any less interesting. That latter track has some vicious chunks in it, the interruption in the final breakdown for a frightening roar combined with feedback beats you down bluntly. Overall the filthy storm of genres here is very effective and refreshing enough to set them apart from the pack.

So yes this is a fuckin' wicked little demo cassette that is definitely worth a listen. Especially for those who are into the crusty black hardcore out there like Young And In The Way or Dephosphorus, or even Votnut, Hexis, Unsacred, etc. Shit Luck are probably ones to keep an eye on. The physical version of this is limited to 35 copies and only a few were sold online — only two are left on bandcamp so if you want to throw them $4 get on it. Otherwise it's free.



DOWNLOAD (Bandcamp)

Old Soul - Tidal Lock (2013)

Full Length, IFB / Dog Knights Productions / Dingleberry Records / Listen to Aylin
April, 2013

Genre: Blackened Hardcore/Post-Rock/Post-Hardcore
Region: USA

Coming off of that recent post about Old Soul's 2012 record, I've been given the pleasure of hearing and reviewing the new Old Soul record a few weeks prior to official release and all that. Took a little longer to write up due to other priorities getting in the way but here it is. There's no download link right now, however like their prior releases this will have a physical release and be made a free download to the public at some point soon. So hold on for now if you're eager.

Tidal Lock sees Old Soul further shaping their sound and progressing quite a bit from their previous record, while bringing back some elements that were stronger in their debut Natures Arms Encircle All; mainly the tranquil post-rock atmospherics which grasp this release firmly and made a bigger appearance in that record. Lots of reverb and delay among other effects in those long passages sometimes like near the close of the opener "Ghost/Incomplete" they're sustained and take on a shamanistic luster as notes are carefully placed around the whirring loops. Outside of these glimmering passages the scratchy swollen tone of the guitar is a big contrast once again carrying over from their sophomore, varied drumming keeping up with the wide swings in style, and a great bass presence especially when those quiet stretches start to ramp up ("Watermouth/Mirage").
 
All four tracks here (which flow as one long song in reality) reach between eight and ten minutes in length, a huge contrast to the four and six minute jaunts in Who Are Willing To Draw Close and further proof of a commitment to change at least in structure on first observation. The production is smooth, clear, warm; feeling much bulkier than Who Are Willing To Draw Close and lending a little juice to the all it's qualities. Only complaint here is for instance in the secong track around six minutes in, where there's a transition from quiet to loud the guitars feel a little dampened initially; this could just be me as I only notice it in that spot. Lyrically as one would expect this record does have a temporal focus, metaphoric, taking a reflective or introspective approach but largely up for individual interpretation; sometimes these are spoken ("Ethereal/Faultless") while usually in all other moments the blackened rasps dominate.

When listening the blackened post-hardcore/screamo characteristics still reside in their formula but are less bursts and more Krallice-esque in execution: long blazing passages blurring post-hardcore June Paik aggression with uneasy/anxious black metal melodies interspersed conservatively. Between these lies moments that resemble traditional screamo like Mahria but the twinkling nostalgia doesn't last long. You can hear this from the outset. These are enclosed in the vibrant ambient and post-rock drifting, both clean and acoustic, sometimes minimalistic but usually energetic builds. These moments have Tidal Lock coming very close to the eclectic style of Irepress even moreso than I thought, and yet every time they do rub up close they make a drastic shift, usually launching the song into an aggressive fit.

While they effortlessly float between each other each of the four tracks. "Ghost/Incomplete" and "Watermouth/Mirage", while separated, flow as one track linked by a gleaming clean section and provide a great example of the above. Broken up by flurries of proggy black metal mixed with screamo but far less densely packed than in their previous records. The former track is evenly broken up between their black skramz attack and meditative   while the latter dabbles more in Irepress-esque quietus with only brief, more laid back post-hardcore blinks; rhythms more restrained but still strong, leading the track out of the haze nicely.

"Paradigm/Pendulum" picks up and quickly descends into progressive black metal territory only to melt into a pretty clean section which gets increasingly proggy and loud and busy before diving into a tranquility. For the first four or so minutes I would swear this is a less complex Irepress track. The build on this track has both channels evolving sounds gradually. The return to distortion is very stealthy only occuring near the end and giving way to a wobbly ethereal section.

Interestingly enough this leads into the aptly titled final track "Ethereal/Faultless" — arguably the slowest on the record Old Soul close with a more depressive or reflective tone, even when they embrace the distortion it's very mournful. The screams come back in full force by around the eight minute mark and while still less chaotic the blackened brew here opening up to a spoken word passage with some nice bass work and percussion which fades, leaving only the words.

Old Soul's newest record is more grand and less dirty than previous material, a relatively refined and different experience from them. I think I like Who Are Willing To Draw Close a bit more at this point mainly due to the length and blend of sounds. I'm definitely finding on repeat listens I'm enjoying Tidal Lock more than I originally did, it's only the shift of emphasis away from more chaotic blackened aggression that I enjoy more on the former. For instance the closing riffs and rhythms on "Crater" (and it's atmosphere in the close) or the explosive climaxes after silence in "Forest" which ascend impressively. For whatever reason those moments trigger a more visceral nostalgia-tinged satisfaction within me.

Having said that I am enjoying what these guys have done with their sound since then and their continued willingness to break from comfort. It's something to commend. I recommend those of you who like their blackened post-whatever-core to be a little more exploratory, perhaps those of you who enjoy June Paik, Irepress, and Tesa should get into Tidal Lock.

This will soon be released by IFB, Dog Knights Productions, Dingleberry Records, or Listen to Aylin Records in the very near future and will most likely be available in distros and labels like Halo of Flies and Scream//Writhe. Follow their blog and facebook for more info on that. Eventually a link will be posted too but for now you may stream it on Dog Knights Productions' bandcamp:

Old Soul - Who Are Willing To Draw Close (2012)

 Full Length, Dingleberry Records / IFB Records / East Train Records
 2012

Genre: Blackened Hardcore/Post-Rock/Black Metal/Post-Hardcore
Region: USA

Apparently I missed this last year as well. Who Are Willing To Draw Close is something I came across by accident and I think it's pretty sweet. I'm sure the combination of genres will pissoff a few people out there and normally I'm a little wary of such mixtures these days, but like I said this turns out to be very enjoyable. Containing only four tracks Old Soul's second album should have got a little more attention.

Five guys from Mount Pleasant that are experimenting and coming up with some sounds worthy of your time. Both of Old Soul's present releases are short and sweet, realistically EPs but the content is pretty sweet. I would describe their compelling style as Celeste channeling Darkest Hour through a haze of post-rock and black metal; maybe Alcest, Krallice or Wildernessking. Actually Dweller On The Threshold are doing a similar thing but in a more folk Do Make Say Think kind of direction.

Right from the opener "Crater" you know this is as least going to be a little different. The clean bends in the beginning of this track remind me of a few moments from Skagos' "Colossal Spell" or Godspeed You! Black Emperor's work. It takes a almost mid-east tone before erupting into chaotic blackened distortion, swirling and slowly breaking down and tangling with Celese-like dark hardcore until the finally volley — mellifluous and aggressive, suddenly post-hardcore is thick in the air. It combines with the black metal to make an almost Alcest beauty flowing in the twinkling black haze. They don't rest on this for long though and break into the next track quickly.


This is the pattern that gets put through some creative paces within the next three tracks, feeling legitimate and never staying longer than wanted in its experimentation. 'Twin" goes from wailing black tones to a more playful progressive chord section and back again. Amongst this strange mixture organs and children spoken word samples ("Forest" and "Tundra") weave their way comfortably enough into some tracks. avoiding cheese nicely. "Forest" is the one track that feels very much on the post-hardcore side of the tracks for the first two minutes before the climax which is a massive but quick blackened explosion, repeating only once near the end after a particularly melodic clean build.

All the tracks have this undercurrent of placid sadness that works its way out in the clean moments, "Tundra"'s intro for example. That track is another where the screamo/post-rock influences reign, and the bass is far more showcased (though the production doesn't cover it up elsewhere).

I think the record could be a little louder and maybe longer but not by much on that last part. Song lengths here are perfect and offer great variation without stumbling. The spoken samples don't feel necessary but they really don't derail the music either. The vocalist hits perfect shredding rasps and at times lets them bleed into anguished cries, percussion and bass/guitar work is complex and with purpose — there's no wankery or needless busyness and that goes for the ambient/post-rock elements too. If anything there's more to be explored here and hopefully they push it further with the following record.

Recommended especially if you like Celeste or some of what Dweller On The Threshold was fucking around with. If you want a taste go to their soundcloud page, and if you like it there's a couple of places you can get it from like Halo of Flies, Scream//Writhe, etc. or directly from them over at their blog where they have a download link to both records (here's a direct link to the store). They have bandcamp as well so you can download shit for free there as well.

The new record called "Tidal Lock" is coming soon as are shows I believe so check their facebook for updates on that stuff.

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Thenn - Threshing the Golden Fields (2012)

EP, Self-released / Independent
August 1st, 2012

Genre: Blackened Crust/Black Metal
Region: USA

Here's a submission by an Indiana band called Thenn. I'm trying to get through the pile, and I think this is an excellent place to start.

What I think would best describe Thenn's style is the reverse of Young and In The Way. Where YAITW take a sprinkle of black metal and delicately lace their crusty hardcore with it, Thenn stand on a thick foundation of old school black metal ala Darkthrone and inject some crust into thrashy dark nest they've made.

With a sickly rasp the vocalist sprays cryptic cult messages, it's a very ugly and gnarled howl that perfectly fits the tangled instrumentals underneath. The guitar and drumming is very reminiscent of older iterations of black metal with fast, crunchy tremolo riffs and abrasive, foul percussion. The bass has a fair presence as well which is always nice to hear.

This group kind of takes Barghest's approach as they breath new life into the style. When the crust emerges it's subtle and more akin to YAITW's V. Eternal Depression style: occasional cold passages between the writhing, but they are few and leave the black metal unscathed the majority of the EP.

There's five short tracks to ingest here, and they're all quite chaotic and hazy. "Abscesses of Light" starts things off with straight up stormy black metal riffs, with very little indication of their crusty influences except for a more hardcore tempo chunk near the end. Following up is "Bathing in Cold Autumn" which continues with the same fervor but with a slight tainting of hardcore when a slower powerchord emerges amongst the tremolos.

"Vigils" has more indications of it's crust leanings with both the intro riff which has that familiar tempo, laced with a muddy film, as well as the final push of the song being more galloping, winding upward. It's a sorrowful build. With the next track "They Are Given to the Inviting Earth" we dive deep into the blackened abyss once again with only one tail section that brings the crust to the fore, slowly crushing the permafrost beneath their trampling hooves.

Threshing the Golden Fields, the closer, is the closest thing to YAITW's style on the record but still manages to carve it's own path. Feedback is briefly introduced before a full on onslaught of ripping black metal, only to end abruptly as a frostbitten passage rises, simple and slow. The croaking of the vocals chimes in as the drumming becomes more and more amorous. The right channel guitar is introduced, but not long after we return to black metal territory, slithering in the muck for the final riff.

I like what they've done here. It surprised me: instead of blindly following the newer crop of blackened hardcore groups Thenn have taken a more purified path, carefully adding elements of crust or hardcore to bolster the grim black metal they've conjured. It's tempting to do no doubt considering it's the next most attractive wave after the new old school death metal and atmospheric black metal waves.

I suggest you guys check it out, especially if you want something that doesn't "bastardize" the "sacred genre" by skirting most black metal ingredients and resting on hardcore foundations.  I myself don't care for one over the other, as long as it's done well. And Thenn have made a great effort to do so here. I'm pretty sure if you're a fan of YAITW, Black Monolith, Hexis, Torch Runner or Void Forger you'll enjoy this a lot.

Thenn have graciously put this up for free download on their bandcamp page below, so head over there and have a taste.


DOWNLOAD (Bandcamp)

Hexis - XI (2011)

Full Length, Enjoyment Records
December 12th, 2011

Genre: Blackened Hardcore/Black Metal/Hardcore
Region: Denmark

Here's one I should've posted last year. These guys know how to create chaotic and dark vortexes of sound.

What Hexis bring with XI is a dirty blend of black metal and hardcore that comes out sounding like Celeste (if they were more liberal with their editing) mixed with a little bit of Portal's warbled twists in the structure. In the majority of the record they attack you with mounds of down-tuned, distorted, scraping tremolo sections, a thick hazy bass tone, steady drum blasts and a harsh, vile rasp spewed over the bleak twisting madness.

They offer 7 tracks of this disturbing brand of cyclonic atmosphere. As XI opens you immediately get a dose of feedback and then are slammed with a dirty spiraled riff. From there on it's a dissonant journey into a lightless abyss. You only surface once in the course of this dive: a clearing is found during Sepulus where clean notes and chords emerge — this is soon shattered with a return of the tumultuous blackened discord which continues mounting to the very end. Slower moments in Crux bring an almost sludge heaviness into the mix that helps to vary XI well.

It's a powerful record, in part due to the excellent pacing and length of the album (it barely crawls past 20 minutes) so the tracks manage to have staying power and blend almost seamlessly together, while the album itself does not overstay it's welcome. Outside of that it's well composed too. While you could definitely count them in the recent onslaught of dark hardcore like Chromes, Young And In The Way, Black Monolith, Unsacred, etc. Hexis do manage to set themselves apart quite well in a genre which many are starting to become weary with.

Definitely check this record out. These fine gentlemen from Denmark have made this available as a pay-what-you-want download on bandcamp, so please check their page out and give them support if you can by going to their store. Follow them on facebook for all other information

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Void Forger - Ruined (2012)

Demo, Independent / Self-released
April 3rd, 2012

Genre: Blackened Hardcore/Crust/Doom Metal/Black Metal
Region: Romania

I've mentioned before I'm backed up on requests. I hope to remedy that soon. Here's one from Void Forger, a crusty blackened doom three piece from Romania who have released this demo themselves for free.

There's a lot of genres blended within these three tracks but these guys manage to keep it from getting muddled and haphazard. This is what I imagine Young and In The Way would sound like if they had more doom elements. It's a pretty even mix all the way through with the crust and hardcore moments peaking over top in many instances. The riffs from the bass and guitar are slow, coarse and chunky for the most part with bouts of faster chops both punk-like powerchords and black metal tremolo tears; the production is raw making the atmosphere quite gritty. Deep growls and blackened yells briefly surface from the murky depths and the drums splash and froth among the other members.

Pointless Media starts of mid paced and heavy before breaking into a thrashy section, and ending with nice tapped riff that starts off very YAITW-ish. Relief starts of a little faster with a crusty, bouncy, muffled rhythm that heads into a few blackened bits of territory before slowing down, hitting a nice section of chords before diving back into chaos; they make an out on a gritty bass line and a nice dark tremolo riff.

Automation is the final track and the most sludgy. A slow opening riff and pounding percussion rotates comfortably for a minute or two, changing not long after that but maintaining speed. It finally builds after some feedback and a bass line into a nice hardcore section to end, quite catchy.

There is definite promise and potential in Void Forger's demo, some room to grow and tighten up but as a whole it's a great demo. Anyone who's enjoying the wave of crusty blackened hardcore at the moment and wants a little more doom/sludge to spice up the mix would be smart to give this short release some attention. Check them out on bandcamp and facebook.

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Unsacred - Where The Light Dims (2012)

Demo, Independent/Self-released
February 26th, 2012

Genre: Hardcore/Blackened Hardcore/Crust
Region: USA

Been trying to get to some requests as you can see, been neglecting the folder up until now. For those who don't like the dark hardcore — tough shit.

Unsacred bring you their first demo, a blend of Converge or Heartless styled hardcore with some more blackened and crusty influence. Six short blasts which alternate between blazing, feedback-slathered chunky tracks to a sound that takes on a more darkened aura. Blackened intense chords and low tremolo riffs with some pretty catchy grooves hidden amongst these elements — sometimes with excellent use of massive bends and pinched harmonics (the last two tracks are great examples), or sparse injections of dissonance. Where The Light Dims is a promising demo, the vocalist has a wicked rasp spitting out what I can only assume is disgust over top the clattering drums and thick, fast rhythms on the bass and guitar.

I would watch these guys as what they've developed here is quite solid. Definitely give this a listen if you enjoy hardcore with a filthy edge. Listen to it on bandcamp or Stereokiller and follow their facebook and tumbler for updates on where to pick up a copy.


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Young and In The Way - Amen (2010)

Full Length, A389 Recordings / Swarm of Nails
June 17th, 2010

Genre: Blackened Hardcore/Crust
Region: USA

Since I've already posted their other albums I figured this one should be up here too.

Young and In The Way's first full release Amen compared to their more recent releases displays how far they've come. This album has several tracks that eventually were reworked into I Am Not What I Am and here they sound just slightly different in terms of vocals, production, writing, pacing, etc. "Earth" eventually turns into "Love and Terror Laid the Stone", "Worrier" becomes "The Chaotic and Bloody World Around Us", and the second half of "White Light" is put into "Leaving Nothing But the Absence of Everything" — the first half is slow and sludgy with a nice build to this point.

The rest of the tracks are unique to this release, blasted through their signature style of blackened crusty hardcore with relentless vitriol. The first track is an instrumental and very chunky, followed by Dark Seed which has some wicked gallops and slow chords, and Eye of Providence is full of twangy dissonant riffage. The final track (opening with rainfall) almost hits atmospheric sludge territory. It's 13 minutes with slower chords bringing a melancholic atmosphere swelling up reverb and sparse amounts of vocals until the midway point. It quiets down after this before hitting some crushing powerchords, thick bass lines and  launching into a reverby tremolo riff finale.

Amen is an excellent record showing off early on how much Young and In The Way are capable of in terms of blending genres, keeping everything tight and powerful. A389 Recordings just repressed this and I Am Not What I Am as one double LP (in black or black/white split) so pick it up while you still can, or listen to it and get other copies on their bandcamp.

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Black Monolith - Demo EP (2011)

Demo, Self-released / Independent
May 7th, 2011

Genre: Crust/Blackened Hardcore/Hardcore
Region: USA

A short demo from Black Monolith, but a fierce and beastly one at that.

Powerful and dark. Bristling with copious amounts of thrashy blackened hardcore throughout the 3 tracks, twangy riffs and frantic drumming, and a dude with a wicked rasp spitting over them. The last track begins a lot more slowly and with a darker tone, an angry chick laughing mockingly before the more substantial dissonant and crushing leads kick in. This gives way to more of what you heard in the first two tracks: addictive crusty powerchords, fast paced drums and hoarse yells.

This is a solid effort that leaves you wanting more, and I do hope they're working on full length. Highly recommended especially for those who love Young and In The Way. Up for free on bandcamp and follow their blog over here.

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Nux Vomica - Embrace the Cycles (2011)

7" (2011)

Genre: Metallic Crust
Region: USA

Support the band by picking it up over here. 

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Haapoja - Hallitsematonta Voimaa (2011)

Demo, Unknown
September 16, 2011

Genre: Hardcore/Blackened Hardcore
Region: Finland

I first saw this up on The Living Doorway in early-November and since those guys clearly know their shit (definitely when it comes to tasty hardcore) I checked out, quite enjoying what I heard. Not long after that I found the band requested us to put it up as well and I've been meaning to do so. Some very nice blackened hardcore to be heard here.

"Haapoja was formed in Oulu, Finland in 2007.Originally the plan was
to play death metal. Since then the style has evolved and influences
have been taken from various styles of heavy music, like Converge-style
hardcore and black metal. There have also been some line-up changes
and some pretty long breaks mostly due to the mandatory military
service in Finland. In summer 2011 Haapoja recorded their first proper
demo, called Hallitsematonta Voimaa."

It's a little difficult to place their style: somewhere between hardcore like Narrows in their faster moments (or maybe even a little KEN Mode) and Deathspell Omega-ish twisted black metal, moving across both very seamlessly but ultimately ending up on the dark hardcore end of things. Despite this sub-genre having grown saturated in the past few years Haapoja have managed to carve out a uniquel sound with a technical style while remaining catchy as all hell. Instead of relying on a cold sludgy/crusty atmosphere this is often fast and shifts pace at various points, never resting too long before breaking into another discordant run. Vicious vocals and truly bouncy, dissonant blackened riffs. It's short and sweet running slightly over 20 minutes.

A very promising young Finish act and I'd certainly recommend giving them a listen if you like dark and angular hardcore. Check out Hallitsematonta Voimaa on their bandcamp page or facebook.

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Chromes - And Here My Disgust Begins (2011)

EP, Dancing On Sharks
November 7th, 2011

Genre: Hardcore/Sludge/Crust
Region: UK

In the middle of a Thou binge I decided to check out some requests (something I don't do often enough). I have a few other requests I want to post eventually but this one in particular caught my interest. Sid from this young two-piece London band called Chromes left me a nice email about their new EP. Not much can get me to stop a Thou track midway through but this two track release did just that.

"And Here My Disgust Begins" is a short but very hard-hitting/well written EP with a distinct sound, creeping along the edges of Young and In The Way and Celeste territory. A seriously dark and bleak atmosphere surrounds this one. Hopefully this is only a small taste of what's to come as these guys know how to create some brooding and pissed dark hardcore.

The first track "And Here My Disgust Begins" starts with jarring feedback. Immediately following this is a mass of slowly writhing blackened hardcore riffs and dissonant slides which lead up to a mid-point of hypnotic ambience, finally letting go into a melodic chunk of chords with a subtle piano bed — ending the song in a very beautiful yet sad light. Everything moves along smoothly, no dragging moments. "Diamond Crowns" quickly follows with some slow, powerful sludgy leads that melt into a brief clean/quiet moment and back into the former again. This repeats once more to great effect and drags you towards a noisy, ominous conclusion. All elements here are well refined from the Converge-esque vocals tinged with hate and desperation to the noisy and thick guitar tone, to the pounding drums (which get lost in the chaos at points). The subtle touches of piano and feedback are very effective without coming off as cheesy or forced. Intense from beginning to end.

Thoughtfully constructed and highly recommended. You can listen to and download the EP on their bandcamp page and soundcloud, and follow them on facebook or on their blog. You'll definitely want to keep an eye on what these guys have planned.

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Young and In The Way - V. Eternal Depression (2011)

Full Length, Antithetic Records
November, 2011

Genre: Blackened Hardcore/Crust
Region: USA

"Young and in the Way return with their heaviest and most experimental album yet. This album is devastating. The guitar tone is downright ruthless. The vocals are scathing and brutal. From the opening solemn piano, to the sound of a distant train that brings the album to a close, you will be absolutely pummeled by everything in between. The band has pushed themselves harder than ever before, both as musicians and as song writers, and it is clearly evident here. The music is both heavier and more experimental than any of their previous work. "The Gathering", the nearly 12 minute B side track is nothing like you've ever heard from this band. Every member lends some additional percussion, and there are additional woodwind instruments as well. Again, this is nothing like you've ever heard from Young and in the Way before." - Antithetic Records

I guess I Am Not What I Am was just a taste of where their sound was heading. "V. Eternal Depression" is Young and In The Way's next relase and it just went up for streaming on their bandcamp and preorder today, so have a listen if you want.

V. Eternal Depression takes the blackened part of their crusty hardcore style and cranks it up a shit ton, to great success indeed. There's a greater emphasis on atmosphere and ambiance compared to IANWIA but this is not at the expense of the sludgy blackened hardcore riffs, wicked drumming and raspy vocals that are even more pronounced here.

Of the five new tracks here four keep within the three minute mark while the fifth track spans eleven minutes and for the first half is instrumental, tribal and atmospheric ( sprinklings of piano, strings, acoustic guitar, etc.) with the tail end slowly melting back into their crusty groove slathered in reverb. It ends with sample of a train whistle far off in the distance conjuring up images of early morning fog enveloping a darkened landscape, closing off the album with oppressive atmosphere.

I would suggest getting on top of this now if you enjoyed their previous releases. as it's a big and noticeable step in the evolution of their sound.

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Torch Runner / Young and In The Way - Split (2011)

Split, Headfirst! Records
June, 2011





Genre: Hardcore/Sludge
Region: USA

The guys from Headfirst! Records asked me to post the new split from Young and In The Way and Torch Runner (which you can preorder from the link above). Of course I have no problem doing that since it means listening to some nice dark hardcore.

Torch Runner have two tracks here in the metallic hardcore vein with some splashes of sludge in one, while Young and In The Way have one longer track in their blackened, sludgy hardcore style (if you haven't heard their full length check it out. Both have a slight Amenra touch to them.

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Young and In the Way - I Am Not What I Am (2011)

Full-Length, Independent
March 24, 2011

Genre: Blackened Hardcore/Crust
Region: USA

Hardcore with a black/metallic/sludge tinge spread finely throughout, a little bit of dissonance/angularity, and nice vocals too. It makes for some very good stuff all the way to the end. Full album is up for streaming here, and their earlier stuff is up for free on their blog.

In 320.

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