ALBUM REVIEW: So We Gnaw – Bleach Everything

There will always be a cathartic essence in extreme music. A similarly constant thing now is the influence bands like CONVERGE have had on the metallic hardcore scene. The early 2000’s brought such unbridled and unexpected savagery that there is always an attempt to return to those roots, whilst also trying to stand out amongst today’s crop of talent. It’s a weird battle to fight, and one that BLEACH EVERYTHING seem to be doing pretty well at, as they channel the early chaos of the noughties and fuse it with a bit of deep south sludge for good measure.

It is a weird thing, that combination of sounds. Don’t be surprised if you feel somewhat put off at first, because the echo chamber vocals that sit in the centre of the frantic and viscous sound that makes up the BLEACH EVERYTHING debut do take some getting used to. They seem to have been recorded in the same hollow as POWER TRIP‘s vocals, making for another clear influence the band takes. When the penny drops though, the grooving riffs begin to really take hold, and it gives So We Gnaw a real sense of urgency that a lot of bands can lack.

Tracks like Nazi Punch, Fuck Yes show a clear political stand point of the band, and having such a fast paced and confrontational music, the on the nose lyrical and vocal delivery really work. With this early 70’s punk influence, it gives So We Gnaw a real sense of variety pretty early into the album. Relics immediately kicks things up a gear, with an almost grindcore influence bleeding into the music, making for three incredible different songs to kick start this short package. Whilst a good thing on paper, the differing elements make for an album that feels disjointed and confused, even if there isn’t anything inherently wrong with the three songs in question.

Relics in fact eventually blossoms into this bouncing riff that is a different story to its opening moments, creating for an interesting musical journey, and an easy highlight of the album itself. This is the weird thing about So We Gnaw, because despite the clear lack of what one would call a bad song, the album doesn’t feel at all complete. This isn’t helped by the fact that having only 7 songs means this album disappears in the blink of an eye. Without a clearer connection, nothing really sticks upon first listen.

There is definitely praise to be found in So We Gnaw, and with the BLEACH EVERYTHING sound. They are firmly rooted in the chaotic anger of the early noughties scene, and their sludgy influence makes for an intense listen, but there are a few too many influences present here. Without a stronger structure, and a longer run time, these individual gems don’t create the cohesive package to really ensure So We Gnaw hits home with the impact it is going for.

Rating: 6/10

So We Gnaw is out now via Dark Operative. 

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