Duh. Like this was going to be anything less than awesome. Fellows from various No Idea luminaries (the important ones being 12 Hour Turn and Palatka) have combined to make an achingly good hardcore record, taking one of my favourite styles, smoothing out a couple of rough edges, and then hurling it around the room, bouncing off the walls and breaking things.
True North are most easily compared to Assfactor 4. They have the same energy, drive and sheer power as A4, let have refined the style to allow for some ‘mellower’, more ‘musical’ moments, instead of just playing at a breakneck pace for two whole sides of records. Where A4 merely only allow you to draw breathe between flipping the LP over, True North actually slow down on the songs themselves. Good lord.
Dave Diem of the Turn takes on the role of main vocalist, using his whiney screamy style to great effect. Backup vocals are rougher and more aggressive. Standout songs are the incredible ‘New Begin’, with some dual screamy parts, and a superb breakdown into a Diem cry-part. Awesome. ‘Rocknroll’ absolutely flies, with blinding drumming and killer vocals. Other times they get a little more gritty, and straight ahead in a Born Against fashion, particularly with the mushmouth vocals that kick off ‘First of the New’ and it’s momentary heavy breakdown. ‘Part Deux’ has an intro that is dramatically similar to a Nuzzle song that I can’t quite name right this minute, laying the groove online and getting the kids dancing. And final track ‘Breaking Keys’ is something else. An out of control speeding spectacular with a melodic ‘chorus’. Masterful.
Hardcore with the essential chaotic emo edge, this is music done right and one of the albums of the year. Do not miss out on this one. Only drawback is that it is available on CD. Get the vinyl – this sort of emo sounds wrong on CD, digital is too clinical.