Subtlety is not a word that Hardcore Ohio band, Harlots, could ever use. Brutality is the word that would be used to describe their CD, Betrayer. This 50 grit sandpaper to the face whiteface, starts with the over the top, speed of light, bombastic laden notes of CD opener, "The Weight Unweighable" and does stop until the 9th track "Suicide Medley" ends.
The quartet grinds and blasts their way through 9 songs of Hardcore/Grindcore type riffing that at most times is a sheer brutality for brutality sake. Songs are fast a furious, with a couple of Killswitch Engage types of moments to bring down the slaughter fest to a dull roar, momentarily. Check out highlight track, "Consensus For The Locus Of Thought".
The production is very minimal at best with the obvious idea to allow the bashing and angst of the underground styling's be the life blood of this record. No polish applied here! Vocals are rough and hard, but there are some spots of interesting riffing here and there on Betrayer, but not enough to keep me very interested. Hyped as having masterful musicianship, it must have gotten lost in the mix, because I just don't hear it.
If underground extreme Metalcore/Hardcore/Grindcore is what you crave, then Harlots might be worth checking out. If nothing else Betrayer will leave you unsettled & I guess that's their point.
Track Listing
- The Weigh Unweighable
- Avada Kedavra
- Full Body Contortion
- Dried Up Goliathan
- Building An Empire Towards Destruction
- Consensus For The Locus Of Thought
- This Is A Test, No Flesh Should Be Sparred
- The Concept Of Existence
- Suicide Medley
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
