EP REVIEW: Reincarnation – Simulakra
It seems that most hardcore bands these days share members. This makes for a scene where a new band can instantly gain recognition by virtue of a member’s other projects being well liked, and can often give a boost when needed. It’s a part of hardcore as integral as spinkicks and split releases, and keeps the traditions of the genre alive.
Featuring members of FOREIGN HANDS, SCARAB and GRIDIRON, SIMULKARA are one of the most exciting newer bands in hardcore today. Forgetting about their lineage for a second, they’ve earned that reputation with a no-nonsense death metal-tinged sound along with some devastating live performances, sharing the stages with bands such as MINDFORCE and VOMIT FORTH. Their debut LP The Infection Spreads was a no-holds-barred raging bull of a record, building on all of the promise shown by the band’s early tracks, and that momentum looks set to continue on this new EP Reincarnation.
The first thing you notice when you press play and opener Dead On The Cross bursts forth is that classic chainsaw buzz of the guitar tone, echoing bands like MORBID ANGEL and ENTOMBED, but given that scowling hardcore edge. Mixed with the ever reliable beer keg snare, it makes for tracks that invite a circle pit as much as Carhartt clad elbows to the face. Lyrically, vocalist Dom Pabon took inspiration from his recent bouts with ill health and the journey he undertook towards recovery, and often this makes for raw, straight to the bone lyrics that show a battle with his own body with a developing spirituality.
Sanctify, the third track, is the first pick of the bunch; it’s two minutes and 21 seconds of pure distilled fury with Pabon sounding more pissed off than ever, and the pit part is big enough to make you want to start spin kicking in the local B&Q. The chorus of “Purify, sanctify / Cleanse My spirit / Take my life” is absolutely massive and has the potential to send chills down your spine.
When LAST WISHES vocalist Corin Gillespie shows up on the final track S.I.T.A, the ante is upped once again. Spurred on by what sounds like the 90s New York Hardcore and 80s Florida death metal scenes colliding, it’s aural chaos, with Pabon sounding like Randy Blythe at points. Gillespie meshes with the track so well, his vocals rawer and deeper than Pabon‘s, and it adds a street level edge to the track.
Reincarnation doesn’t do anything particularly new or outrageous and there is a chance that SIMULAKRA may suffer for simply being around in what is an incredible time for hardcore. However, the strength of their lyrics and name recognition that their members generate will hopefully carry this band far. Once it’s done slapping you across the face in blink and you’ll miss it hardcore fashion (five tracks in just over ten minutes) you’ll find yourself going again and again.
Rating: 8/10
Reincarnation is out now via DAZE.
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