Dark Horse-Trauma-Taught Self-Destruct album review. FFO: Energetic, emotive but gritty Crusty Hardcore that is killer.
Dark Horse-Trauma-Taught Self-Destruct album review. FFO: Energetic, emotive but gritty Crusty Hardcore that is killer.
Sydney crust institution Dark Horse dropped their fantastic and abrasive as fuck 3rd full-length not long ago and as usual it delivers in spades. Nothing amazingly groundbreaking, but personally that appeals to my dirty punk heart perfectly. At their core, they are an epic crust hardcore band that relies on the thick riffs as well as dominating gruff vocals. Not one song overstays its welcome and sonically they slay you over the 12 tracks. I have read some reviews saying the guitars or overall tone is too clean, I feel the mixing and mastering is spot on. It's like that shit argument that old black metal is more real or so raw, nonsense it sounded like utter audio garbage; this is how a modern hardcore album should sound; angry, energetic and punchy as hell. Most songs are definitely made for the live performances and definitely echo equal parts Tragedy, Napalm Death and old school Sydney Hardcore like Subversion, Toe to Toe or Unclean in parts. The band are absolutely a tight unit that has played together heaps and their recordings always show the top tier skills on display. But I feel this is their most consistent release, and despite no style change everything from bass/ drums to guitar work and vocals seems to be a level above their already highly rated body of work. It's louder, more amped and seems more fucking angry. But the excellent songwriting and structure as well as the atmosphere this album creates is what is missing in so many crust punk/hc bands particularly the new generation ones from my hometown of Melbourne; it bar a few classic bands is real cookie cooker dullsville central. But Dark Horse has the chops and it's all on show here. This album seems to build its intensity as the album moves along. The first third is like a firecracker with the highlight being Sui Generis with its glorious groove and almost DC like hardcore touch. The Cull starts the middle section with its mad tempo and gut-wrenching drumming; lovely fast nasty shit. This leads into one of the best tracks, Band of No Hope that slows it down and celebrates all that is crust hardcore mastery. That mad main riff and the brooding pace is intense and is like a fantastic tremor of a track. (The end is sick as, talk about huge crescendo.) Hesitation Wounds change tempo and style hugely with this brutally crisp track. Death By Cop starts my fave part of this album, this track is bass-heavy and a real punky attack on the senses. Take The Shame follows with shuddering rhythm and mad as hell vocals and it rolls along in a steamroller manner. Trauma-Taught is another classic track and album highlight that sticks in your head. The vigorous punches to the head from this song is pure aggression and a perfect summary of how fucking talented this band is. This album is clever, heavy and one of the best releases of the year. An absolute scorcher of a record.
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