Withdrawal “Faith, Flesh, and Blood” 7”

Another recent release from A389 Recordings, "Faith, Flesh, and Blood" is the latest EP from Canadian outfit Withdrawal. Expect four tracks (three on the vinyl plus one bonus track if you purchase the album digitally or use the download code included with each copy of the 7") that continue their brand of thrashy metallic hardcore. For the most part these songs are significantly longer than those on 2009's "Unknown Misery" EP, but interestingly enough the overall attack seems a hint more vicious and to the point. You'll find a sample or a somber clean passage here and there, but for the most part the compositions lean heavily on gnashing riffs and tactfully chunky midpaced breaks—though "Kingdom Come" does focus more on the pounding midpaced tempos and subtle melodies; while the six-minute "Rotten Hell" drops some Slayer-esque riffing before closing with a computerized voice reciting passages from Robert DeGrimston's "Satan on War" over eerie acoustic guitars and washes of atmospheric noise textures. The production values feel just a bit more rugged and in your face this time around as well, which gives everything a thicker and more energetic vibe that brings a nice balance to the character of the material. Awesome bass presence, too!

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A389 Recordings (black vinyl)
A389 Recordings (grey vinyl)
A389 Recordings (mp3)