It always surprises me when hardcore bands and labels send their releases in to PT for review. I mean, we’ll always review them (where appropriate), but very few of us would call ourselves knowledgeable about the genre and we do have a reputation for covering stuff at the poppier end of the scale.
Anyway, Alaska are, surprisingly, English and hail from Kent. The band name is actually quite apt as Alaska play a brand of hardcore that is quite cold, moody, atmospheric and barren. I guess it matches the American state quite well. I tend to prefer hardcore when it’s a bit more aggressive and energetic, so this score isn’t based so much on what the band do, more the fact I don’t quite enjoy what they sound like as much. The tracks here are well structured and do what you would expect them to do, I just found myself hoping there would be a bit more pace or a change here and there. It never quite comes. Alaska are good at what they do, but what they do isn’t really my thing. Sorry.