The Pitch: Darkened metallic hardcore from Copenhagen-based Justinhate through their own label of Deathbird Recordings. The band has shared the stage with Sepultura, Carcass, Obituary, Darkest Hour, Hexis, and many more. FFO: Grieved, Bungler, Sibiir
What I Like: "Ignis" was the track that initially turned me onto these guys, but it was the bass break on opening track "Infantem" that sealed the deal. If you like your hardcore hard and heavy with plenty of metal riffs, Marrow is a good place to find it. The hooks may not be super original, but moments like "Cloacina" are likely to get you banging your head. The album definitely wears its regional influences on its sleeve; from their own exploding Scandinavian hardcore scene to the area's early tradition of black metal. And as I have said many times before, I am a big fan of bands that scream in their native language; in this case Danish.
Critiques: My primary concern with Marrow falls on the vocals. While this harsh hardcore howling (at times reminding me of Indian) is certainly potent, it's also very one-note. Some variation in tone and style would go a long way towards moving this release from solid to stellar.
The Verdict: Justinhate still has some strides to make in terms of creating their darkened hardcore masterpiece, but Marrow still serves as a testament to their intense passion and the energy of their local scene. Check it out now below.
Flight's Fav's: Apophis, Ignis, Marrow