Labels: Vermiform
Review by: Andy Malcolm
ALL ABOARD! It’s another FUCK YOU record from the mighty Hail Mary. The vinyl version coming packaged in ugly chunky cardboard, this is just hardcore punk rock how it should be played. Fast, straight-ahead, aggressive, and just a little fucked up and chaotic, so as to make it sound any good. It’s hardly full on chaos, think a little Torches to Rome influence, but it definitely is nutty when compared to ya straightup old skool HC.
Opening up on “Grist for the Mill” this breaks down into a lovely chunky groove to dance too, something they seem adept at pulling off. Angry, snarling, almost monotonal vocals are blasted out over the top as the record careers off into the distance, threatening to actually spin out of control and off of ya turntable if you weren’t to conduct a little caution. Then out of the blue they hit with the full on groove of “Crashing Down”, where the lumbering bass, scatty guitars and punishing drumming come together as one to create a monster.
Sure, half the songs sound pretty similar. But Hail Mary records have a habit of always sounding great no matter, which is why I own as much stuff by them as I can get my hands on. This is hardcore punk rock for anyone who likes hardcore punk rock, doesn’t want any Kid Dynamite style melodies, digs a bit of unpredictability, and doesn’t want the tired and worn out cliches, both musically and lyrically, that comes with this genre. Go get.