The thing that makes Hardcore one of the most unique and entertaining genres of music is the rejection of rules and conventions. It has a passion and drive to it that means it’s not necessary to play all the right notes at the right times, as long as the notes hit are done so with purpose. So, when listening to ‘Reprisal’ by Continents, why does it feel that this core essence of Hardcore is somehow missing?
No, we’re not writing this record off right from the start – don’t get us wrong, it’s a good sounding, well written album. The issue is that there are so many albums like this that have been released in recent years, it feels slightly stale and predictable.
Take ‘Scorn’, with its While She Sleeps-esque riffing and chaotic drumming, has a frenetic bounce to it, like the soundtrack to a mosh pit, and ‘Life of Misery’, which has elements of Slipknot and Comeback Kid to it, completely with customary gang vocals: there are impressive elements to ‘Reprisal’ that get your attention and make you bang your head like you’re 14 all over again.
Throughout the album there’s a real sense of venom, a fierce unleashed aggression that you can hear in every vocal line, drum hit, sludgy bass line and sharp guitar stab – there’s no shying away from the fact that this is an incredibly aggressive record. ‘Love, Loathe, Loss’ goes a bit Architects getting in your face before throwing down a big epic ending – it’s moments like these that keep you listening, keep you interested.
Therein lies the issue with ‘Reprisal’ – it’s moments that keep you interested, not entire songs. Not the whole record. Just these moments dotted around the album. Continents are good songwriters, but perhaps they are drawing too intensely from their influences as opposed to using that as a starting point to create something unique, crafting out their own style and take on the genre.
CHRIS ROBINSON