Harm's Way - Isolation
Rating
RIYL
Earth CrisisUnholy
Arma Angelus
Foundation
Release Date
07/05/2011
Label
Closed Casket ActivitiesTracklist
1. Scrambled2. Timing
3. Isolation
4. Breeding Grounds
5. Becoming
6. New Beginnings
7. Slither
8. Pretender
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Isolation marks Harm’s Way’s first full length, coming off the heels of their No Gods No Masters EP released last year. The Chicago based outfit plays metallic hardcore that is as groove-laden as it is heavy, and the album features eight songs that will pummel your eardrums for over thirty minutes.
Harm’s Way is a great example of a band that doesn’t need to use gimmicks to create a menacing full length; the music speaks for itself. Moreover, the vocal style is sparse but well placed in the form of single or short groups of words, as opposed to the constant screaming that many of today’s bands have adopted. It works well with this style of hardcore because the music is the focal point and the lyrics are basically just a complement, making a mean record sound even heavier. The breakdowns are also well thought out and flow seamlessly within the songs instead of being randomly placed for shits and giggles – “Timing” and “New Beginnings” exemplify this quality.
The biggest downside to Isolation is the lack of variety in both song structure and tempo; almost every song plods along at the same pace to the point where they tend to blend together. “Becoming” is the only track that really stands out because Harm’s Way breaks away from their standard songwriting formula, letting the drums and guitar do most of the work to form a hypnotizing rhythm while the vocals serve more as background noise.
An album lacking diversity is usually a surefire way to turn listeners away and at first listen some people may start to tune out about half way through, but Isolation really does get better with age, so give it a few tries before assessing its worth. Regardless of this shortcoming, Harm’s Way is a band to look out for and, although they definitely haven’t mastered the metallic hardcore genre, they play the style well above the average. Isolation is a strong debut that merits your attention, so go check it out.
--Nicholas Fritz
Comments
Lehigh Valley, PA
Musically they're good. Lyrically, I cannot listen to these guys.
Fishers, Indiana
Based on what you've said, I'm on the fence about looking into this band. The cover art is spectacular though.
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Minnesota
I'm pretty indifferent to these guys. The music is indeed great, but I was quite bored by the monotony of it.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Lehigh Valley, PA
The singer is gigantic however. Scares the fuck outta me.
Quakertown, PA
Why do you think I gave them a positive review?
Seriously though, I didn't really like this at first and found it pretty monotonous but after awhile it just grew on me for some reason, even though it's not my style of hardcore.
Fishers, Indiana
The promo pic for the band on what.cd is the lead singer shirtless with a ski mask. Terrifying.
Top Albums: 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 || Tumblr | Twitter
Raleigh, NC
I don't like their music, and I hated seeing them live. They come off as HUGE douches. Didn't say a single word to the crowd, members look like a clusterfuck of metal and hardcore stereotypes, singer just took his shirt off and did his thing, then walked off. Not a fan.
Quakertown, PA
Yeah, I could see how that would ruin a band for you...I probably would have had the same reaction.
Wales
Aren't these the guys that wrote "Militant Mondays?" Anyway, I've been listening to this one in the gym a lot if that tells you anything.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLF9Cm4E15E
I GO TO WORK
Alabama
Watched live videos where the vocalist just beats the shit out of people during their set. Too hard for me.