Hardcore and Hip Hope are two musical spheres that share a multitude of similarities whilst simultaneously also sharing a myriad of massive differences. However, there are given certainties, both are cultures, both are lifestyles, both are identities, if you are hardcore or hip hop, you let everyone know about it via all aesthetic accompaniments. Whilst certain figureheads in hardcore will attest that the two sounds are linked (you will not hear the same noises from the other side of the fence) and Cold World’s first proper full length is a strong, strong testament to that claim.
The way they do it though is not blatant, in fact, its very, very subtle and its only with continued listens that the layers leads not only to the revealing of the band’s core influences but to how well they have harnessed and melded them together. In fact, melding isn’t the due word; this isn’t simply a case of taking two musical styles and crudely bludgeoning them together to create an ugly hybrid that gives away the foundations to their sound.
Take the storming title track, driven by an absolute rollicking groove, sumptuous lyrics and vocal phrasings it is accompanied here and there by an obtuse, alien element. A distorted, strangled voice that sounds as though its been processed through a broken turntable hollers ‘My life, my life, my life,’ before the band launches back into one of those crunching, floor clearing grooves.
Don’t worry, its not the kind of groove that was so prominent to the absolute horrible hordes of bands that crudely mixed rock (not metal or hardcore) and rap in the late 90s and early 2000s, nor is it the overly pumped, bottom ended destruction to be found by such floor clearers as Recon, Liferuiner and the Acacia Strain. No, it’s a classic crunch in the classic New York style, with just the right amount of bite and power to hit you right in the stomach and make you crave for more and more and more and which the band duly oblige to supply, tenfold in fact.
There have been a number of outstanding hardcore releases this year but none as bravely ambitious or as risqué as this one which attests that there is not only life in the rawest form of hardcore, but that there are plenty of unexplored plains to move forward into.
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This is a realy odd release. Could not get into it
on Sep 15th, 2008 at 08:23Its a very quirky one but once you get it, its thoroughly addictive.
on Sep 15th, 2008 at 12:58there kinda like Furious Styles. except these dudes are more thugish
on Sep 15th, 2008 at 13:15Furious Styles? FS can’t hold a candle to these guys. lets fight at a show swamps
on Sep 15th, 2008 at 17:35k you bring yur crew ill bring mine
on Sep 15th, 2008 at 19:17Ok who would win out of FS (love that band), Cold world and Fury of Five?
on Sep 16th, 2008 at 12:21Cold World cuz they are probably packing heat
on Sep 16th, 2008 at 21:47