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What
a listen! And what a first few seconds. Way to knock you
over the head and wrapping you in that blanket of
discomfort that is hardcore music. When an album starts
off this harshly with the most intent to just clash in
to whatever situation is taking place it is pretty
obvious that the next tune won ‘t bop to the rhythm of
“I Need to Know” by Marc Anthony. And so it doesn’t.
Unsilent Death
is the second recording of Nails, a band I knew nothing about
until now. But I know a little bit about hardcore music; as far
as the style is concerned Nails are kings. Everyone else,
counting a few notable exceptions, is shit. It is that simple.
Not many are capable of rocking it out like this band. Riffs
this bad aren’t made in Williamsburg.
I like it when
people who have been in the biz for so long take a turn for the
right and become not only distinctive but also fanbase slicers,
meaning they discern their listeners little by little until only
the strongest core remain loyal. Such is the case of artists
like Scott Walker and Only Living Witness’ Jonah Jenkins whose
mid-career on albums have shown a preoccupation for leaving a
worthy body of work instead of the simplest accumulation of
whatever success is.
Now, I don’t
know who writes what in this band but assuming that guitarist
Todd is in charge and considering that he’s played in several
popular (but not FM radio popular) bands I care very little for
I am surprised and reminded of the path taken for those
aforementioned. Nails represent not only better music than
anything those bands ever did, but it is also a less appealing
affair.
Unsilent Death
is a compact record (ten songs in 14 minutes), but in such short length format manages to
pack some of the mightiest songs hardcore music has seen in a
long while. The guitars make music for warriors, dishing out
high octane D-Beat riffage like it’s the simplest thing. And the
songs just gallop. I don’t see the D-beat spirit as much as
everyone else sees. For me it is faint. This is wild hardcore
punk. Metal infused because of its early Earache-like crudity.
The difference is in the attitude.
This is
hardcore as you know it, it is just meaner, louder, faster,
fatter, heavier, angrier and way the fuck up better.
This album has been re-released by Southern Lord.
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