Battletorn has been around for several years now, and while I'm sure I've heard their work in the past, I'm fairly certain this is the first time I've heard an entire release, and I must say I'm quite taken aback by the result. Even on CD (with tracks from the "Burn Fast" 7" included as a bonus), "Terminal Dawn" (released by Mad at the World Records) blazes through a whopping 22 tracks in less than 18 minutes, so... do the math, folks: There are only three songs on the entire disc that pass the minute mark. I've never been a fan of the band's crude artwork, but I admire the fact that they have an immediately recognizable and consistent visual aesthetic of their own. And that's where the whole "taken aback" thing comes in, 'cause when you see these awkwardly drawn record covers and the logo with the swords and shit, I mean, come on, you're immediately expecting some kind of full-on metal-based attack—shtick or otherwise. But that's not what this band is about at all. A duo of just drums and guitar/vocals since late-2005, I really don't think I could call this metal. There's certainly a metal influence present here and there, but the overall approach is one much more rooted in fast, in your face hardcore/punk. That's really all there is to it. The writing consists almost entirely of blasting drums, dense, fast-paced power chords, and over the top shouting/yelling vocals. There's a certain sense of explosiveness to the speed, brevity, and aggression of the whole thing that kind of has an almost powerviolence-esque quality to it somehow (with regard to the recording as well), but I wouldn't necessarily go there either, you know? It's strange, but it's cool, because it throws you for a loop, and you have to respect that. Because they're almost making you expect this, like, generic thrash metal lowest common denominator or something, and then you pop the fucker in and they beat you in the face with a bunch of dirty, blazing hardcore. And it's fucking good, too!
Battletorn "Cutthroat"
Battletorn "Throne"
Battletorn "Hellbender"
Comments
I gave it a shot.
Hell, it’s not like I was going to give up a lot of my time to check out these three tracks. Which is a good thing, as I’m not likely going to listen to them again. It’s just not something I can get into.
I like my music in larger doses, though I don’t mind a short song here and there. Now, I’m not saying I’d like very song to be a nine minute plus epic either, and I know I couldn’t tolerate that much of certain bands at once.
I’ll pass on this. It’s not the length (or lack therof) that’s the turnoff. I simply have a hard time getting into this kind of music, and this band isn’t one of those that’s going to change my mind; I didn’t hear anything I liked. My tastes tend to be a bit different than yours, so maybe this is pure fucking brilliance for those who care for this stuff and I’m a fucktard for not liking Battletorn.
But hey, to each his or her own, I guess.
2.25.2008 | By Dichatomy
great shit.
2.25.2008 | By anonymous
The first album is amazing, this one not so much.
2.25.2008 | By Carlzilla
I absolutely love this band. I’ve seen them probably over a dozen times in NYC, once in Boston with them and Watchmaker together (now that was fucking epic), and even once in my friend’s basement when she used to book these guys on an occasional basis. Along with Villains these cats are definately the best in this sorta oldschool no-shit music to come outta new york city these days.
2.25.2008 | By vugelnox
sounds kinda like some pain of mind era neurosis. I like it.
2.25.2008 | By tim
This music amuses and pleases me. It is almost cute how short the songs are. They are like little violent fights.
2.25.2008 | By Invisible Oranges
Band’s alright. I like ‘em in small doses like this. I did a show for them in Seattle a few years back and they had strange attitudes…seem like hipsters-gone-metal, especially w/ their old chick singer. They definitely are more punk than metal, I would agree, though they’re supposedly going for classic thrash metal. It is sorta like very early Sodom(which was fairly punk) and fast Hellhammer, I reckon…
2.26.2008 | By justin
i never thought i’d ever hear Omid do a band that sounded like Negative FX and while covering Holocaust, but here it is and it’s great. as much as i liked Beverly’s vox on previous releases, Omid’s got a decent and less snotty voice. again, it’s real weird to hear Omid playing this style considering he’s got one of the hugest NWOBHM and heavy rock record collections i’ve ever seen. he’s all over the place and it’s a good thing… a lot of people (including myself) can’t pigeon hole them in terms of sound. nice to see this get reviewed.
2.26.2008 | By -cja