The British hardcore scene is one of which has been under much criticism in recent times. Dismissed by many as a hotbed of nothing more than diluted similarity and quite frankly, an attention-repulsing antithesis of the thriving American scene, it is easy to divert attention away from the few groups of whom are actively seeking to reverse this controversial view.
Hailing from the North-East, THE DEPARTED‘s recent release Remnants is chaotic and extreme in exactly the right way. Not dissimilar to the likes of Bane and Brutality Will Prevail, The Departed‘s hazardous hardcore sound is agitated, angst-ridden and brilliantly addictive. Tracks such as ‘Broactive’ are fast, explosive and unnerving, whereas numbers like ‘Sleep All Day, Party All Night, Never Grow Old, Never Die’ turn the tempo down (well, partially) just enough to retain their meticulous dark and menacing undertones.
In true hardcore fashion, ‘Remnants’ is a turbulent cliché of much of the scene’s output before – and no doubt after – although this does not detract greatly from the individual merit of this release. Despite its slight lack of originality, it’s still a reckless whirlwind of punk aggression injected into the perhaps dwindling British hardcore mentality.
OLIVIA JAREMI