EP REVIEW: DCX2 – Diamond Construct

A change of philosophy for Aussie hardcore crew DIAMOND CONSTRUCT might sound unnecessary on the surface. With last year’s admirable self-titled effort, the band’s trajectory showed a steep upwards curve anyway. It did enough for the four piece to deservedly be hurled into the conversation with fellow countrymen NORTHLANE and POLARIS, too. Regardless of how promising the future may have looked, DCX2 delivers a new blueprint, and layer to the quartet.

That layer comes in the form of now permanent DJ Callum Nicholls. Electronics are far from a foreign concept to DIAMOND CONSTRUCT – you’ll have heard the New South Wales crew rattle them in to tracks like Hypno and Animus previously. But DCX2 makes the bold step of going all in: 808’s, electronic drums, guitar FX; they’re all here.

Most importantly: they’re all to the benefit of the band, too. The Aussies have never sounded this visceral. Generic delivers DCX2‘s mission statement early on, with a closed fist. Vocalist Kynan Groundwater‘s opening, anti authority message gives way to a monstrous, low tuned riff and pinching FX: welcome to a new DIAMOND CONSTRUCT. Instrumentally, variation is scarce here – but Kynan‘s touches of nuance keep things seamless. His pause for breath before the opening riff returns in breakdown fashion, is one of the harshest segments of hardcore you’ll hear in 2020.

There are still some old habits that persist though. Enigma and Psychosis still carry with them the bands knack for often sounding a little too much like Attila for comfort. Fortunately DCX2 avoids doubling down on the trite rap for too long, and often your attention will either be diverted to a SKRILLEX like beat from Wilson, or a wall trembling breakdown. While the EP spends a lot of its run-time forcing you to marvel at its exciting direction, there’s a reminder here that DIAMOND CONSTRUCT aren’t the finished product, yet.

You get the sense there’s still plenty of time to discover what their final form looks like though. DCX2 is the most unique DIAMOND CONSTRUCT have yet to sound, maybe the fact this still needs tweaks is the most exciting aspect of it. The quartet haven’t been forced into evolution, but they demanded it, and it comes with the best output of their short career.

Rating: 8/10

DCX2 is out now via Greyscale Records.

Like DIAMOND CONSTRUCT on Facebook.