South Jersey’s Low Life play a filthy, repugnant brand of hardcore that is nothing short of awesome. Feral vocals spew over slimy riffs and head-crushing blasts of chaotic fury. “Flag Burner” is pretty straightforward: these four songs are pissed off, winding between breakneck speed and bleak dirges. Little is spared by Low Life’s assault here and their sound is nothing short of some of the refreshing aggression these ol’ ears have ever heard.
The dirty production only adds to “Flag Burner’s” tangible anger, with each song mutedly crisp, endlessly listenable. “Disgraceland” is a mash of punk aesthetics and crusty musicianship that when witnessed garners an appreciation for Low Life’s concise, blunt honesty. “Flag Burner” is not all speed as “Disgraceland” slows itself into a dark trudge before being torn from throat to groin by “Throne of Lies.” At its apex, “Throne of Lies” replicates a sound akin to early Converge, sloppy and controlled, vicious and restrained.
“Blue Collar Blues” hammers its woe at an isolating tempo, showering the listener with an apocalyptic atmosphere, slowly plucking away at one’s tolerance for life. A superb interlude to the swiftly violent “Born to Lose.” “Flag Burner” is at its most interesting at 1:30 or so here, as things kick back and hard as screams radiate from behind a storm wall like a ghost freeing itself from mortal servitude. This is appreciatively dark stuff.
Low Life’s “Flag Burner” can be heard in its entirety here, as well as downloadable for free. Give it a listen, you are sure to be joyously pissed by its end.
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