There is not much about modern contemporary modern hardcore that excites me any more, as I’m pretty much just holding my breath for the impending Killing The Dream release. Then along comes a slew of releases from the quiet of late Saw Her Ghost Records (Empires, Across Tundras, Beast in the Field), and included is this little gem.

Hailing from Michigan, Brothers ply the same sort of urgent, yet melodic and layered hardcore along the lines of Bane, Comeback Kid, Killing the Dream, Passion, Dead Hearts, With Honor and such, but with a slightly more deliberate and paced sound.

Dripping with passion and a sense of fierce honesty, Brothers debut is short, sweet and full of killer melodic riffs and pained screams all coming together to form some impressive moments of contemporary yet dramatic hardcore that’s more than gang chants and break downs. The songs vary from the expected, driving, punkier riffage of “War at Home”, “Black Friday”, “Day One” and “Never Again”, to more spacious, shimmering and layered hymns like “Trapped”, “Sincere” “Strength in Numbers” and standout “The Destroyer”, which is where the band really impresses and stands apart from the pack with a far more draining and passionate delivery.

Even though closer “Is Anyone Listening?” is one of the albums weaker tracks, Brothers look to have everything in place to make a dent on the genre provided Saw Her Ghost pushes and promotes them with the priority they deserve. This will certainly tide me over until Fractures comes out later this summer.

[Visit the band's website]

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