CAVITY
Laid Insignificant
(Hydra Head)

SOURVEIN
Ghetto Angel
(This Dark Reign)

DRACONIAN
Turning Season Within
(Napalm)

PLAGUE BRINGER
Life Songs in a Land of Death
(He Who Corrupts)

PANTOKRATOR
Aurum
(Whirlwind)

TARDIVE DYSKINESIA
Distorting Point of View 

(Venerate Industries)

MGR
Wavering On the Cresting Heft

(Conspiracy)

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With what initially sounds like it’s going to be five straight ahead melodic punk hardcore songs New York’s Tournament seems to be teasing the listener. The title track for instance is for the first few seconds way light; guitarwise is almost pop punk but by the time the first verse is up the band is ready to introduce a bit of axe angularity and then pick up the speed. The roughness of the vocals and the old school chorus properly sets the tone to the speedy hardcore of “Paid in Full”, a much rougher affair controlled by chaotic communal vocals and more of those argumentative riffs that one needs to pay close attention to in order to perceive. So far so good; the desperate sax at the end is a brilliant touch, but what could prepare me for what the band will pull next?

I am just in awe at how cohesive this is. Treading ground that is way out of range for most heavy musicians Tournament show themselves capable to pull off anything without breaking a sweat. “Traveler” is a massive track that doesn’t bother to build itself slowly or cares about any introspective post-rockism; a constant bassline provides a heartbeat-like sensation while trebling psychedelic guitars contrast themselves with another layer of strummed guitars. The vocals are another nice touch, also guitarist Montana Masback goes for a natural approach giving the cold shoulder to the current herd mentality of either being a tough guy, a cookie monster or an annoying helium-high cry wolf, Masback delivers an impassioned performance, raising to the occasion through soaring moments and constant crescendos.  Downright gorgeous track.

The two songs (“Night Lion” and “The Bad Word”) that follow get back to the band’s punk rock focus. Not for that your standard fare, Tournament seems to do it all so well. Their music is direct, raw, and catchy, their melodies are hook-laden yet angular, the singing blends with screaming, hooks with speed, and in the end Tournament exposes its guts with such glorious attitude.  To top it all off the cover artwork with the sword swallower is gorgeous and the lyric sheet is well….printed in such a clear blue font that I had to set it against light just to be able to see anything. Highly recommended. Look out for this quartet.

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