Miss Uphill Battle? Enjoy blackened hardcore or crust tinged blackened punk? Then check out the debut from this hungry San Francisco act who with their brief but feral Misanthropy and Godlessness, have delivered a half hour of urgent, enjoyable metal with vast crossover appeal.

Featuring an incredibly punchy Zach Ohren production, the album’s feedback littered tracks range from rough and tumble d beat lope (“Through their Teeth”, “Capture and Consume”) to more burly, blistering raucous numbers (“Kicking Rocks”, “Unholy”, thrashing standout “The Recluse”, “The Waiting Game”) with a punk meets thrash back bone. The black element comes from some of the tremolo picked melodies and the high pitched vocals. The power chords dance with an intense burn, but manage to keep things interesting with some clever layering and bristling harmonies.

There’s even few scrawling, sludgy moments (i.e. “Graves”, “Rituals”) to break up the album’s slathering, snarling prose. Plus, in part due to the production, the whole affair has a tenacious, infectious energy that’s tangible and full of honest, youthful vigor that bodes well for future releases.

Definitely recommended for fans of Pulling Teeth, Protestant, Infernal Stronghold and such, and another little gem from Creator –Destructor Records. But how long before they sign with Prosthetic Records?

[Visit the band's website]

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