Living Hell “The Lost and the Damned” CD

From Revelation Records, of all labels, comes the latest from Living Hell—featuring ex-members of Follow Through, Dead Wrong, and Fear Tomorrow (Remember them?). And if those last two band names sound vaguely familiar for various reasons, the fact that you're greeted by two enormous "4P" emblems (as "popularized" by Integrity during the height of their "holy terror" period) upon opening the jewel case should perhaps come as slightly less of a surprise, as this is indeed another relatively new band that's building off of those "holy terror" types of influences—which is always a welcome treat to these ears.

Having heard about this band for awhile now (Dwid himself told me about them most recently, when they signed to Revelation), I believe this is the first time I've finally heard their work myself, and I'm obviously a fan. Offering up 12 tracks in about a half-hour, the material's definitely heavily inspired by classic Integrity, though in Living Hell's defense they're not just trying to blatantly copy the masters. Sure, there are plenty of "Those Who Fear Tomorrow"-esque song structures and sinister midpaced breaks, not to mention loads of straight-up Melnick-ian leads throughout, but the overall vibe of the music is a little chunkier and more straightforward (i.e. "less metal"), while the vocals possess more of that burly weight that I tend to associate with European bands of this general nature. So, some of the influences may be obvious, but this isn't a mere copycat show by any means. And as I've said before, this whole resurgence of "holy terror" styled metallic hardcore? Bring it on, man. The more the merrier, 'cause a number of these bands are definitely doin' shit right.

Living Hell "The Resurrection"
Living Hell "Vermin"

Get It

RevHQ
Very Distribution