The split is an integral part of hardcore and its legacy. Over the years, an impossible number of bands have got their start or made a name for themselves by sharing record space with another group. In 2024, with Spotify and other streaming services changing the way music is consumed, the fact that the split concept is alive and well is nothing short of astounding.
Two of the most exciting names in British hardcore have two tracks a piece on this record. Preston based beatdown merchants Lethal Minds join forces with Norwich panic chord dealers Hour Of Reprisal and in just shy of 12 minutes, they’ve created something special.
To describe this record as pissed off doesn’t do it justice. The opener, ‘Lie Cheat Steal’ featuring a guest vocal appearance from Hour Of Reprisal, a favour repaid in kind) doesn’t shy away from its staunchly left wing, anti-conservative views. A call to arms in nature, it will fill your veins with fire and you’ll grit your teeth in anger as the message resonates, and this rings true throughout the rest of the record. The deeper, more nasal, classic punk tones of Oli combine with Joe from Hour Of Reprisal‘s harrowing, goosebump inducing shrieks to create an uncomfortable yet gratifying experience.
“To describe this record as pissed off doesn't do it justice”
‘Utter Contempt’ is an environmentally driven affair, lamenting the state that our planet is in and the continued ignorance of those able to fix it. Oli from Lethal Minds returns the earlier favour and joins Hour Of Reprisal for their first track, ‘Inhumanitarian’. Sounding more ramshackle and likely to fall apart at the seams, a sinister bassline lumbers amidst some hair raising pinch harmonics before all hell breaks loose.
It’s a distinctly British sound that comes through on all of the tracks. Whether it’s the accents of the singers, the samples used or the no bullshit, straight to the bone lyrical content.
The best however, is saved for last, and is titled ‘World Writhes In Pain’. With a guest feature by Harry Nott of the incredible death metal/hardcore hybrid Burner, it sounds like what would happen if Black Tongue went punk. A frankly repulsive vocal mix makes Harry sound like he’s vomiting blood-flecked tar directly into your ear canal. Combined with wince inducing, teeth scratching panic chords it makes for something so heavy you’ll scarcely believe it. It’s one of those tracks that will rattle your skull so hard the only way to react is to sit back and laugh.
Today’s world is beyond fucked up in so many ways and at times it seems like music is the only light at the end of the tunnel. The corrupt greed of the UK government isn’t likely to end anytime soon and yet it’s welcoming to see bands from punk and Hardcore not shy away from things. At the top of this review, the topic of splits themselves was discussed and it’s a perfect vehicle for collaboration like this. If there’s any justice, this will go down as an all timer in the British hardcore scene.
“(World Writhes in Pain) is one of those tracks that will rattle your skull so hard the only way to react is to sit back and laugh.”