ALBUM REVIEW: Underperformer – EYES

It’s a good time to be a hardcore fan. Ever since CODE ORANGE‘s Forever, there’s been a host of exciting releases from like-minded and inspired bands. Now, with their debut full-length Underperformer, Danish hardcore act EYES look to add their voices to this thriving scene. But while many of their contemporaries are still looking to Forever for inspiration, EYES are casting their… eyes, a little further back. Underperformer draws strong comparisons to the early work of groups like CONVERGE, DAUGHTERS and EVERY TIME I DIE. With those reference points, it will come as a surprise to no one that this release is heavy as hell. Throughout it’s 31-minute runtime, EYES concentrate most of their energy on repeatedly bashing their listeners over the head.

That isn’t to say EYES only do one thing. There’s more than one way to get heads banging, and the band make use of a fair few on Underperformer. Songs like Choke, Surf and Off have a bratty, blistering punk quality to them, especially in their verses. At other times the band veer into more blackened hardcore territory. And, of course, this wouldn’t be a modern hardcore release without a healthy dose of punishing breakdowns. Standout examples of these include those on Distance, Surf and Victims.

Of all the album’s reference points, it’s the DAUGHTERS comparison which feels strongest. This is heard most of all in the chaotic, creative playing of guitarists Rasmus Furbo and Søren Bomand. Their dual attack regularly brings to mind the dissonant mayhem of Canada Songs or Hell Songs, but even heavier. Drummer Simon Djurhuus holds the chaos together, often exploding into bursts of frantic double kicks or blast beats, while Kenn Bendtsen‘s bass parts add a thundering low end.

It would be impossible to talk about this album without mentioning the standout performance of vocalist Victor Kaas. On Underperformer, he shows a versatility reminiscent of some of the very best in the genre. From more straight-ahead hardcore barks, to visceral, almost blackened fry screams, Kaas sounds tortured throughout. There are also moments where he delivers more guttural vocals, and others where he leans towards cleaner shouts. Kaas even offers up his own challenge to the much overused ‘blegh’ with what can only be described as a wretching sound on tracks like Distance and Surf. In a world of so many good hardcore bands, it’s Kaas‘ charismatic performance which helps EYES to cut through.

Arguably the best song on Underperformer is it’s second track, and lead single, Distance. With frantic punky verses, DAUGHTERS-esque guitar flourishes, and a crushing breakdown, it shows off much of what EYES do so well. Kaas‘ cry of “Will I ever feel normal again?” also provides for the most memorable hook on the record. The album’s title track which follows is another highlight. It has a crushing EVERY TIME I DIE style stomp guaranteed to fill moshpits when the band finally get a chance to play it live. The song ends on another punishing wash of dissonant guitar-led chaos, at this point clearly EYES‘ preferred MO.

Another notable moment on Underperformer is the seventh track, Voiceswhispersecretsandspeakonlytruths. It’s here where the band slow things down a bit, with ponderous verses which explode into moments of trademark carnage. The whole track feels very CONVERGE, especially thanks to Kaas‘ particularly Jacob Bannon-esque vocals. For a band like EYES, this comparison can only be a good thing. The song is also a hint of the group’s ability to play around with dynamics – a skill they should definitely seek to hone on future releases.

While the highlights mentioned are particularly strong, there aren’t really any weak points on Underperformer. The album is a relentless half hour of well-executed, brutal hardcore. It may not be the most original sound, but that doesn’t mean it’s unexciting. For a debut album, it’s quite the statement of intent from a band who will no doubt be snapping at the heels of the genre’s best in the years to come.

Rating: 8/10

Underperformer is out now via Indisciplinarian.

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