As I first heard Milwaukee’s Protestant on their As Dead As We Look release and now their latest full length, I’m more confident in anointing this group as the heir to the mantle left by Cursed; crumbling, antagonistic and sludgy but intelligent hardcore with a few segments of well placed and thoughtful ambience, all wrapped up in a nasty, gritty production and a merciless vocal assault.
With plenty of splits, 7″ and other such DIY releases under their belt, its good to hear an actual collection of songs designed for a the bands second full LP/CD release as it comes together more coherently and delivers a complete and more fluid set of songs.
Look no further than openers “Disbelief” and “The Hate, The Hollow” for a six and a half minute look into Protestant’s sound: earthy, caustic power chords broken up by a back breaking lurches and pain fueled vocals. “Disgrace” initially slows things down with a somber chug before unleashed a bitter torrent and an eventual, song ending calamitous groove. “Neglect” goes straight for the jugular while “Obituary” shows the band again slowing down to a creepy, somber ooze before again exploding in fury. “Free Us From…” just rips with savagery and “Disowned” is the albums ‘catchiest” track while 6 minute closer “Asleep” has a rangy, hazy ending few minutes that serves as a modicum of respite.
Folks, this is no nonsense, no frills, no trends hardcore from a hardworking, DIY ethic band that has no desire to be rock stars and an equally DIY hard working label-check ‘em out
