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Meltdown and Violation…

Meltdown - DemolitionEven more so than the Bitter End disc I posted about last week, another surprisingly metal-influenced release (Just check out that cover art!?) from Malfunction/Deathwish is the "Demolition" EP from Boston's Meltdown, which runs through five songs in about 15 minutes and is loaded with churning midpaced breaks amidst, well... straight up thrash metal riffs galore, really. The vocal style and the fact that the songs are all about two to three minutes apiece keeps things rooted in a hardcore sort of framework (which teeters on a Cleveland kind of sound on rare occasion), but riffing-wise the influences definitely seem to rest more with a variety of metal-based outfits, from early Slayer to more of a crossover type of groove/tempo variation. I haven't heard their first EP, so I'm not sure how this compares stylistically or in terms of the playing/production style, so I'd still cite some room for improvement as far as tightening things up a touch, but there's some definite potential here...

Meltdown "Iron Chains"

Get It

Malfunction/Deathwish (CD)
Malfunction/Deathwish (7")






Violation - PossessedAnd yet another somewhat similar (though stronger) release is the debut EP, "Possessed", from California's Violation, on 1917 Records. Here's another band that's got a great handle on how to fuse those chunky NYHC types of influences (as well as a few hints at the more European take on NYHC, ala True Blue or bands of that nature) with thrashy picking patterns and surprising little fits of melody—not to mention a relatively differentiating vocal performance—without sacrificing any energy or songwriting quality. There's just something about this material that really does the trick for me. They're certainly not reinventing the wheel, but despite the fact that the bulk of the influences swirling around in here are pretty standard, the end result doesn't particularly sound generic to me at all, and there's a great sense of power within the surging breaks of the song structures. I don't know, it's just great shit, I'm lovin' it! Can't wait to hear a full-length from these dudes...

Violation "Stranglehold"

Get It

1917 Records (7")
1917 Records (mp3)

Comments

  1. cool cover art

    12.10.2007 | By Thomas

  2. MELTDOWN:  More like “LETDOWN” in the vox.  I see the potential, but they’re going to have to tighten way up first.

    VIOLATION:  The band BITTER END wishes it was.  Encapsulates the feeling of that era of NYHC way better, and sounds more like the production did back then too.  Bonus points for the Kali T Shirts they’re doing.

    12.10.2007 | By Johnny

  3. I’m actually surprised Meltdown aren’t *more* metal, given the over-the-top artwork.  Not bad, though.  Just a bit unexpected to see it sporting the Deathwish mark.

    12.10.2007 | By Invisible Oranges

  4. Got both 7"es laying around. Meltdown was really cool live, cool dudes. Violation is great, don’t really hear the True Blue thing though. Bitter End is amazing.

    12.10.2007 | By Pim

  5. Meltdown crushes, one of the best 7"s this year!

    12.25.2007 | By MarkusxKTL

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