Something of a palate cleanser is the new album from Converge. Not really knowing what to expect, I turned the stereo up, poured a cold one, and let the music wash over me. More of a tidal wave hitting me full force than washing over me, to be honest, as the metallic hardcore is like being hit in the face with a speeding train, then repeatedly hit with a cricket bat and feeling pleased with myself for the experience.

The title track kicks things off as the listener gets pinned to the wall, and not unlike a salivating big motherfuckin’ rabid dog frothing in your face, you feel the warm breath as the lyrics are spat out. This is not going to be a comfortable listen, but it does grab one’s attention.

This is their eleventh album, in their 35th year as a band, which is remarkable to be fair and to come out with something so intense and captivating as the album opens up the intensity, if anything increases. ‘To Feel Something’ certainly delivers what it says on the tin, and if this doesn’t move you one way or the other, then I suggest a visit to the doctor’s office to have your ears syringed or checked for a pulse. ‘Beyond Repair’ is something of a minor pause in the intensity as something of a musical interlude before ‘Amon Amok’ barks out of the speakers. The heaviness increases on the grinding riff that is ‘Force Meets Presence’ as the intro deceives you before thrashing harder than most metal bands have over the last 30 years. The riff and rhythm is hypnotic and revolting at the same time.

The rage is put on hold whilst ‘Guilded cage’ shows some respite, but only briefly before catching its breath and building slowly with a heaving Bass and pounding rhythm. As we race to the finish line, ‘Make Me Forget You’ sounds like Midnight before signing off with the tribal rhythm of ‘We Were Never The Same,’ and we are done, and I’m almost broken from the repeated experience of playing this record in my headphones over and over. I might need an intervention. If you are looking for something nasty and fucked off, then Converge is your band and ‘Love IS Not Enough’ is your jam, as the kids say. Fuck em I say, just get some of this in your ears, heavy man!

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Auhtor: Dom Daley