From the murky depths of Tampa Bay’s swamps emerges a sound that’s as ominous as it is exhilarating. Florida’s hardcore/metal punk horde, Horsewhip, is poised to unleash their ferocious new album, “Consume and Burn” on November 10, via Iodine Recordings. As a precursor to the imminent inferno, the band has unveiled their electrifying single, “Pain“, following their late August release of another new track, “Plague Machine“.
The new track “Pain” commences as though unveiling the gates of hell, ready to escort us into a relentless chase of dark hardcore. The fury cascades into a broken rhythm, entrapping you momentarily, akin to a snare awaiting its prey. But this is merely a fleeting pause, as the song catapults you back into the chase, driving with a force akin to a tempest swirling in the abyss.
As you sprint through the menacing echoes, it eventually hurls you against a wall, granting a mere moment of respite, only to prepare you for the impending storm. And then, as if the heavens of dark artistry open, the final tirade of epic closure begins, reminiscent of an extreme black metal meets death metal grandeur. The transition into this intense closure is like a sinister dance, enticing yet filled with foreboding.
The lead vocalist and guitarist, Shaun Drees, succinctly encapsulates the essence of “Plague Machine” stating, “mankind is a true disease or parasite to earth.” It’s a statement that resonates with a brutal honesty, mirrored by the aggressive soundscape of the track.
Additionally, another piece from the impending album, “Buried,” has seen the light of day, further whetting the appetite of the hardcore aficionados for what’s to come. The album is a product of meticulous craftsmanship, tracked and mixed by John Howard at War House Recordings, and mastered by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios. Christopher Norris at Steak MTN has lent his artistic finesse for the album art, encapsulating the raw energy that “Consume and Burn” embodies.
The album is described as a cauldron where the grotesque beauty of His Hero Is Gone and Disfear at their vilest meets the relentless pace of a Neurosis record played at a sped-up RPM. It’s a fusion that promises a relentless auditory assault.
Horsewhip delves into the abyss, marrying hardcore punk, screamo, and metal, conjuring a soundscape that’s dark, furious, and peppered with moments of dissonance and unexpected beauty amidst its oppressive weight. This is not just music; it’s an expedition into the catacombs of hardcore genre, emerging with a sound that’s uniquely Horsewhip.
With a lineup boasting members from Reversal of Man, Combatwoundedveteran, Sutek Conspiracy, among others, “Consume and Burn” is more than just an album; it’s a testament to Horsewhip’s seasoned pedigree in churning out heavy music. But it’s the hunger to propel the genre forward that shines through every track, making “Consume and Burn” a fierce contender in the hardcore arena.
Having shared the stage and toured with notable bands like Jeromes Dream, City of Caterpillar, Gouge Away, and Soul Glo, Horsewhip has carved a niche as one of the formidable underground acts in the hardcore domain.
