It’s been a while since I contributed to the CD review section of the site, so I kicked off with the CD at the top of my “To Do†pile. I always seem to get these extreme hardcore punk CD’s to write up with 7 tracks clocking in at just over a minute per track or something bizarre, and funnily enough this E.P was another one of those, my favourite!
To be exact, this tasty little record released on Trash! Art! Records from New England’s underground sensations Draw Blood lasts just over nine minutes. Described as “infectiously anthemic, but pointed social commentary over hard edged rhythms that are classically hardcore†is about right in my eyes, although I’d personally point out in my opinion there isn’t anything “infectious†about this record. Draw Blood basically lob a stack of trashy shouting down your speakers which makes me want to stand to attention and sign up for National Service. I find many aspects of this E.P quite military. Vocalist Graham Landers growls like an agitated army commando drilling newbie’s to shine their shoes and make their beds. Combine that with the quite basic guitars and drums and you’ll find that musically, there isn’t a great deal of intelligence or anything particularly life changing about Draw Blood‘s sound. It’s just super produced and fronted by a guy who knows how to be pissed off with social and political issues.
I’m not branding this record as “unimaginative†or to be blunt – “crap.†I just feel that in terms of what a band can do, this is a poor attempt to raise any interest from me or anyone else who isn’t deeply involved within the U.S hardcore punk scene. This CD is bland with a capital “B†and although I’m probably going to get slated, a lot of the bands that are contributing to this genre are.
Pete
www.drawbloodhc.com