This first release from members of Consumed and ex-members of Pitchshifter and Earthtone9 sets a fine example for the British hardcore scene. Moulding hardcore with electronica, and innovative melodies standing up against face-splitting screaming, this EP indicates a bright future ahead for this band.
With six tracks in total, four take the more traditional rock song approach, but add subtle electronic noises coupled with eerie whispers that lie underneath the walls of hardcore riffing. The EP kicks off with ‘Minus 10′, with a few strange bleeps before you’re met with the vicious sonic assault of the band getting into full swing. Karl Middleton’s vocals are a big part of this EP, with an incredibly powerful hardcore scream, similar to Poison The Well‘s, and some clever melodies, at times sounding almost like he’s singing in a church choir. He has a very versatile voice which works well on this release.
The two interludes, ‘Descent’ and ‘Reclamation Program’, travel further into electronic territory. ‘Descent’ is an unsettling, almost ambient affair, with screaming used as an instrumental texture low in the mix. ‘Reclamation Program’ starts off very similar to an Aphex Twin track, and uses vocalist Karl Middleton’s screams more prominently. Both tracks can be considered as quite similar to Brett Gurewitz’s Error minus the powerful dance beats. The other three tracks, ‘Consafos’, ‘Anatomy Of A Hero’ and ‘Out Of The Black’ sound like a combination of the members’ previous bands, with some ‘Element of Sonic Defiance’-era Strung Out guitar work and Sick Of It All esque drumming.
Although the songs on this release are of a high standard, the two interludes only work because they are accepted as interludes. If they could integrate the electronic element of their sound into their rock songs a bit more then they would be a much more unique proposition. But as it stands, we have another fine band for the British punk/hardcore/rock scene.
http://www.the-blueprint.net
Ben Gosling