London based five – piece The Hurt Process are back with the follow up to their debut album “Drive By Monologue.†Recent line up changes have had fans eager to absorb the bands “alledged†new sound, to which some have loved, and some haven fallen out with. Either way, THP have created an album which has earned them another foot up the ladder, (they recently joined with Victory Records.) It may not leave tyre tracks over your heart, but if you like the genre, then it may be a record you find some comfort in.
Opening with “Anchor†THP kick straight in with a few Maiden influenced riffs and lead solo work, and a stack of power. Again the combo between screaming and singing is well worked, but it’s not exactly original. If there was one thing that lacked on “Drive By Monologue†for me it was innovation. The first few tracks of “A Heartbeat Behind†attempt to try a few new ideas, but sadly it isn’t long before THP slip back into their old ways, and spend 4 or 5 songs straight through the middle order, trying to pick up where Funeral For A Friend ended “Four Ways To Scream Your Name,†all those years ago. Yes this is screamo, yes, we’ve been listening to it for the last 4 or 5 years, and yes, on the odd occasion some bands can pull it off, but this time, THP haven’t. Admitidley it’s very similar to the record I just reviewed 15 minutes ago (A Day To Remember), but they offered a number of different slants on the genre, which made it interesting. This just seems to drag on. There is something about THP which turns you off after about 10 minutes.
Before I get lost in the “What genre / what band / who can pull it off, who can’t†rant, I’m going to admit, some people will like this record, and they’ll be as passionate and supportive of it, as if it was their own – and I can understand why. However the high percentage, like myself who appreciate any half decent screamo/hardcore bands, will see through it, and pass it off onto the pile of “they are good at what they do, but this just doesn’t excite me†pile.
Pete Punktastic
www.thehurtprocess.com