Harm’s Way return with Blinded, an EP that follows the same heavier-than-all style of mosh friendly hardcore that made Isolation such a floor-punchingly enjoyable listen.
Blinded succeeds in large part due to its negative attitude; something that’s depicted in the anxious artwork ( compliments of Florian Bertmer), a few choice misanthropic sound clips, and the vehement delivery of each instrument.
Vocalist James Pligge comes across like some banished monster, the kind Conan might have to fight in a dark pit. His animosity synchs up well with the liquid lead guitars which make good use of that Swedish tone unlike so many bands who think it makes up for their lack of riffs. They’re absurdly heavy and match so well when the band gets into their pummeling, down-tempo stomps. The typically dissonant and rhythmically crushing playing gives it such a primal sense of enjoyment.
Where Harm’s Way supersedes so many Hatebreed clones and similar late 90’s crap is there’s nothing obligatory in their sound. Each song is fluid in the way it stomps, jumps and of course slams. Songs range from 3-6 minutes, yet they never overstay their welcome.
Harm’s Way have managed to create a sound and a string of successful releases that thrive on their honesty, simplicity and sheer vitriol. It’s easy to dismiss the band, especially if you grew up with a scene plagued with Hatebreed clones, but through their atmosphere and clairvoyant songwriting, Blinded has quickly become one of my favorite releases of the year and to dismiss them on predisposed notions would be straight stupid.
The hardcore release Dismember never wrote, Blinded is easily one of my favorite releases of the year. Pick it up over at Deathwish’s store.
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