Labels: IFB Records – React With Protest
Review by: Oli Saunders
Some of you may remember me raving about Resurrectionists’ demo a while back. Well expect a continuation of that here, where they team up for a split with Merkit. It’s more crushing hardcore for your ears, more slightly disturbing artwork and songs about discontent. The band describe themselves as brutal grinding emo-violence crust which is probably a better description than my previous attempt in the demo review. It’s definitely a mixture of styles, basically it’s just completely raging. There are not really any Bremen hardcore style bands these days but there are still bands influenced by that scene thankfully. Bands like Shikari and Battle Of Wolf 359 and now these guys. They have ex members of Arsen Aka König Der Monster by the way which now I can hear aspects of here – it’s kind of a faster version of that band!
Play this to your neighbours and they won’t speak to you ever again. Four quickfire songs (one from the demo, three new) that blow your head off yet also tantalise you with melody. Straight from the off everything is full on and intense. Again the drums pound away amazingly and the guitars have a dark screamo esque sound. The vocals involve a guy and girl screaming away over the top of it all, it all works together so well and I love it. I almost saw the band play in Belgium a little while back but it didn’t happen, hopefully they’ll make it over to the UK at some point soon. With a 10” planned on Parade of Spectres it would be great timing, I am really looking forward to that.
Merkit play on the other side and for some reason I don’t think I have really given them a proper listen before. It’s also pretty damn raging, there’s more of a hardcore punk feel to things. I would also bracket them as being a band with a wide range of influences which overall sits pretty nicely in its own niche and seems reasonably original. Maybe I’m wrong but I can’t think of bands that they sound extremely similar to. There’s a crust side to it which I normally don’t like but since it’s mixed up with other styles it doesn’t put me off. They pretty much nail it to be honest, I don’t like it as much as Resurrectionists’ but I am mightily impressed. More discontended political lyrics too. The drums and and guitars also have a dark feel, the vocals are then shouted and snarled over the top with occasional backing vocals. Gonna have to check out their other records now, really good stuff.
Overall, two great sides on this 7” that are worthy of your attention if you like raging hardcore music.
4th August 2009