Harms Way - Isolation (2011)

Brutality. Sheer goddamn brutality. Harms Way's 'Isolation' is 8 tracks of heavy, messy down tempo hardcore released through Deathwish. Describing this band is a little hard. They're basically a cluster fuck of angry men playing the messiest, heaviest music that can be considered hardcore today. The singer is literally infectious to shirts. When you have a build like his why wear them I guess?

The album itself is just a mass of feedback smashing bass and distorted vocals. Usually this would turn out to be a terrible band/record but Harms Way somehow manage to keep you interested throughout the whole album. Although the effects on the mic could go and the bass could have been mixed down, the raw sound kinda suits the band. The drums definitely should have been recorded a little clearer, it would help keep the album together.

Songs like the title track ('Isolation') and the opener, ''Scrambled', really give a great example of the album and the bands sound. Especially on the opener ('Scrambled') that low tuned bass is irresistible not to get into. The off tone, low tuned guitars really reinforcing that punishing heavy sound.

A terrifying, crunching record that wont appeal to all, but to those who do like it understand the raw, angry sound Harms Way are striving for.

8/10

Video: Harms Way live Outbreak Fest 2012

Buy: http://deathwishinc.com/estore/product/CCA020v.html

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/download/1lnhqwwpc4j2j2v/Harms+Way+-+I.zip

Brutality Will Prevail - Sleep Paralysis EP (2011)

In 2011 via Holy Roar Records, Brutality Will Prevails 'Sleep Paralysis' EP is the best Doom/Sludge infused Down-tempo Hardcore recording out. Hailing from Wales, BWP formed in 2006 and have since released 3 full-length LP's, 'Forgotten Soul' (2006), 'Root Of All Evil' (2010) and 'Scatter the Ashes' in (2013), conquering the UK and Europe playing shows and festivals like; Outbreak Fest, Download, Ghost Fest, Leperfest. etc etc

'Sleep Paralysis' is 18 minutes of the hardest, 'doomiest' tracks the band has recorded till today. The off-tone guitars and hard-hit drums make the EP sound so gritty and angry. The intro the 'Heavy Eyes' is a prime example of this, when the guitar finally kicks in its nigh on impossible not to get into the slow hard tempo beat.

Another great thing done throughout the EP is the contrast between the heavy chugging riffs and the clean/off-tone guitar interludes. In 'Heavy Eyes' the guitars trail off into an interlude, midway through the song, and when it comes back in it hits like thunder, the Doom/Sludge influences ringing stronger than ever.

The title track, 'Sleep Paralysis', is a slow, creepy very 'metal' instrumental with excerpts of phone calls complaining of experiencing ''sleep paralysis'' (a state of dreaming where you're conscious yet unable to move). The excepted phone calls talk of seeing "A shadow...of and old woman...with grey hair''. Even further through the track, there is a girl screaming and what sounds like the girl from 'The Exorcist' shrieking. The whole 8 minutes achieves 'scaring' or making the listener feel uncomfortable and on anyones first listen (especially if alone) it can come as a shock.

The heavier guitar parts, like the start off 'Heavy Eyes' and the end of 'Cursed', really stand out and come alive live, the crowds reaction from 'Metalheads' to 'Hardcore kids' and everything in between is incredible.

The EP really gets you worked up, its aggression a contagious temporary infection. It can be hard to listen to for first time BWP listeners, but once you break through the barrier, there is no return from the addiction.
9/10


Video: Brutality Will Prevail Live Outbreak Fest (Euro Edition)

Buy Here: http://holyroarrecords.com/album.php?id=909

Download Here: http://www60.zippyshare.com/v/88037038/file.html

Iron Mind - Hell Split Wide Open (2011)

After the release of the EP 'The Sun Has Set' in 2009, and signing to Dead Soul Records, in 2011, Iron Mind  released the Hell Split Wide Open LP. The Melbourne based band have toured with some of the biggest and best names in hardcore (Terror, Backtrack, Cruel Hand ect) and played festivals like Break The Ice Fest, Iron Mind are on there way to becoming a name that will go down in Australian hardcore history.

Hell Split Wide Open is an all killer no filler album and has you hooked right from the start. Songs like "Look Into My Eye', 'The Calm and The Storm' and 'Nail Becomes The Hammer' stand out with catchy hooks and side to sides everywhere you turn. The guitar tone, drums and vocals are perfectly balanced and recorded, and the intense riffs come on after the other till the albums end.

Some of the themes explored throughout the album are the struggles of a man, growing up and realising the world isn't what were told and front man, Sam's issues with controlling his anger.
Live is when the songs really come alive and it's well received, judging by the audiences response.
An incredible album that will be stuck in your head for hours after listening.
8.5/10

Video: Iron Mind live, The Iron Mind (The Sun Has Set EP) and Guilt (Hell Split Wide Open)\

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/download/l8fq36drw9f4eup/Iron+Mind+-+Hell+Split+Wide+Open+soundfromthesewers.blogspot.com.zip

Buy here: http://www.ironmind.bigcartel.com/product/hell-split-wide-open-lp