By Monk
The very fact that this debut album from newcomers Rough Justice is released on the label owned and curated by fellow Sheffield hardcore heavyweights Malevolence should speak volumes in itself about what to expect within its grooves. And, indeed, your faith in those expectations would not be in vain (sic) as it more than lives up to the anticipated level of fulfilment which this collection necessarily brings.
With eight songs crammed into just 24 minutes, with no let up in either intensity or pace, not a millisecond to take a breath, this is “proper” hardcore, to use the terminology of the hip kids. As bombastic as it is brutal, as arrogant as it is aggressive, as noisesome as it is nuanced, as generous as it is unforgiving, this is one release which will prove that your faith in investigating its innermost depths, and thoroughly immersing yourself in them, will be more than rewarded, and more so with each progressive listen.
Big, bolshy riffs slam out of the speakers, aided by massively monstrous sonic beatdowns that are as unrelenting and forgiving as one another and in equal measure. ‘Faith In Vain’ is an album that is outwardly violent but inwardly introspective and thoughtful. It is dark, defiant and direct, yet somehow manages to lead you down enlightened paths you never thought you might be exploring via a hardcore album. It is an album that pushes the generic boundaries to the limit, without breaking them, blending elements of progressive metal with moments of pure punk explosiveness to mutually beneficial effect.
Place your faith in this declarative debut. It most definitely, and defiantly, will not be in vain….
- ‘Faith In Vain‘ is released on Friday (19 January).
- Rough Justice tour with Malevolence in February:
facebook.com/roughjusticesheffield
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