Hardcore blended with metal is quite an unknown style to me. I've heard countless songs on compilations, but I can't find any red thread in most of them songs. Relapse Records have been releasing the stuff for ages and the last crossover promo I got from 'em, The End's 'Within Dividia' (2003), is actually a good enough album in my ears. Now I got Uphill Battle's sophomore album 'Wreck of Nerves' to crack.

The title is perfect for the album. However, not in a negative meaning. At last a bunch of hardcore/metal songs that stick to my brain! And leave in causing disorder and general bad conduct. Sticky songs do not mean simple compositions, but there's red threads running in these songs, believe me. A lot of tempo changes, changes from seemingly calm parts (yet uneasy stuff, nothing beautiful) to almost chaotic ones, spasmodic (now that word had to come out sooner or later?) strikes and all things mathematic are in these eleven songs. This quartet are more metal than these crossover bands usually are, so this fact makes this all easier for me to take. Sharp thrash riffs are heard frequently and lower growled vocals rule. Two guitar interplay is great; some harmonies, too, is heard and these bring melodic metal to my mind. Squealing guitars are often heard, but I miss solos. Then there's hardcore part; punky and discordant grindcore chaos and bloody annoying strained throat-screaming which I don't like a bit. Thankfully, the vocal assault is three-way, so there's another growled voice that's good enough.

Performances are very precise, which is of course a must on this kind of music. Above all, the band sound tight and an unit. The band's outlet give no mercy for a listener. The calmer parts are welcome between intensive ripping. The sound is well-balanced and every instrument is well audible in the mix.

'Wreck of Nerves' is the best album of this style I've heard. It is good enough album, that I actually consider buying, so I could get everything out of it. I feel I'm missing something, because I got no lyrics and the whole package. I have no bigger complaints about the songs, but I still believe I could find out more. I can't find anything else negative to write about this, but that one annoying vocal style, yet I still might overreact because this seemingly is so much clearer than most of hardcore/metal. I strongly believe, in my ignorance, that this release is worth to be checked out by any hardcore bruiser. If any metalhead is interested in trying out something like that, then this is it. Hopefully Uphill Battle don't lose their metal edge, ever.

Rating: 6½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
03/07/2004 09:28