EP REVIEW: Social Hazard – Lotus Eater

If you’ve ever caught Glasgow’s LOTUS EATER live you’ll know that they’re straight shooters. They turn up, cause mayhem, leave abruptly – it’s an efficient system. With this in mind you soon come to the realisation that Social Hazard is one of the most true to life records you’ll ever hear.

With just seven tracks (two of which are under 70 seconds) this is a record that can’t wait to reach the finish line. However, it’s this manic chase that makes for a truly bruising listen. LOTUS EATER purge their way through less than 20 minutes of rough, fully fledged beat down metal.

Finding similarities with the likes of MALEVOLENCE, Social Hazard‘s low tone is given a heartbeat by its snapping, punchy vocals. Though don’t be fooled into thinking this is just a record that tries to stumble its way into a breakdown every 90 seconds – there’s a squeamish structure that the quintet implement here that keeps things both heavy, and interesting.

The one-two of Yuck and The Fear has all the hardcore swagger and incendiary charisma that you would expect to come across from a band of this ilk, but with a twist. LOTUS EATER implement such raging rhythm behind their tones that you get an equally split urge to either two-step, or cause havoc. It’s close knit, intense, and relentlessly ferocious – this five piece are ready made for head bangers.

The occasional outbursts of melody in tracks like Jawless are a welcome addition too – and the lack of cleanliness elsewhere in the record makes the rare moments LOTUS EATER burst into harmony more impactful by default. As much fun as the Glaswegians seem to have throughout their moments of ferocity on Social Hazard though, you do wonder how this could ever expand into something more. Where bands of similar vein often flirt with elements of metalcore, doom, or thrash metal – LOTUS EATER remain cemented in their style.

This never gets to the point that the record becomes repetitive or monotonous, but you struggle to see where the quintet could take this over twelve tracks. The upside is that the band have seemingly mastered this area of their sound – and if the Scots are able to mesh together a few more influences here – their next output could be something special.

While you can’t blame yourself for wondering if LOTUS EATER could manage to follow the same musical route for much longer, it’s undeniable that Social Hazard gives the band a zone they’re comfortable in. It’s rough, rugged, and visceral – anyone for a real thirst for music with a dose of carnage will feel at home here. The five piece aren’t going to change the world with this record, but they’ll make it a fair bit heavier.

Rating: 7/10

Social Hazard is set for release on March 29th via Hopeless Records.

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