Rock Bottom: Your Demise | REVIEW

Review by Nick Shore | Smutlife

Yes, the Doylestown, PA metallic hardcore champs are back again, dropping their crushing follow up effort to Born II Hate on Harvcore Records, featuring four more tracks of pleasantly vicious hardcore. Due out on April 30, Your Demise finds the band continuing their brutal sound, while mixing in more of their metallic influences from legendary acts such as Entombed or Ringworm. However, with newcomer Matt Karll taking over Rock Bottom’s vocal duties, there’s a few tweaks and adjustments since their first EP was released last June.

As the band pushes the plunger down on the opening explosion, the title track erupts from the speakers as if it was unleashed straight from hell, laden with fast paced, crunching riffs. “Fade Out” continues the assault, cruising along at a pumping pace before grinding to a near halt during the final moments of yet another thunderous breakdown. Musically, the album appears to contain the same head banging, ear splitting, and fist swinging potential, although it almost felt like Your Demise might have peaked during the first track. Read more

Troublesome “Lose Control”

Review by Nick Shore | Smutlife

Yet another group has been added to the burgeoning Harvcore Records roster, as Pennsylvania’s Troublesome join the already thunderous line up. Their second record, Lose Control pushes the band’s heavy limits even further, while tightening up their sound and continuing the cinder block hurling madness for another five tracks.

Comprised of current and ex members of bands such as CDC, Daylight and Horrorshow, Troublesome’s hardcore sensibilities shine through crystal clear, although I wouldn’t expect much influence from the associated acts outside of CDC. Mixing some classic NYHC riffage with more contemporary chugging breakdowns and mid tempo beats; Lost Control comfortably fits in with other Harvcore bands such as Rock Bottom, Lifeless, and Doubledealer. Read more