Hulk Blood are a four-piece band from the US whose debut 5 song EP is a pretty crushing affair that mixes death metal and metalcore for a solid listen that shows plenty of promise. Comprised of James Annucci on vocals, Mike Iadarola on guitars, Mike Kaabe on drums, and Bryan Goldsman on guitars (I'm assuming one of the two guitarists tackles the bass here), these youngsters have put together a handful of tracks here that really cover no new ground, but are played with such power and finesse that will ultimately make them impossible to ignore. Vocalist Annucci easily goes from brutal death growls to a more melodic and clean style, most of the time fluctuating between the two in each song. He's got a great voice in both styles, and my guess is he's only going to get better. The two guitar crunch is quite massive, especially on the rampaging juggernaut "My Annual Relapse", which also features some relentless drum acrobatics from Kaabe.
If you dig huge guitar riffs, a blend of vocal styles, lots of melody, and brutal aggression, then you've come to the right place. My guess is Hulk Blood are destined to be scooped up by one of the many metal labels in the near future. The band might not be the most original on the planet, but they have many of the tools needed to take the next step. If you like the music of Slipknot, Shadows Fall, Bleeding Through, and Lamb of God, then you might find this EP to your liking.
Track Listing
1) Goonies Never Say Die
2) As Life is Crushed Into Ashes
3) My Annual Relapse
4) Enough is Too Much
5) The Pull Pin Solution
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