Mouth For War – Bleed Yourself
Release Date: 27th October 2023
Label: MNRK
Bandcamp
Genre: Hardcore, Metalcore, Metal.
FFO: Hatebreed, Bleed From Within, Terror, Knocked Loose.
Review By: Metal Miguel
This is a new band for me; they haven’t made it onto my radar until now, and I like that. With the sheer amount of music out there, it’s conceivable that you’ll miss an album or two and, indeed, a whole band will slip through the net. But when it does pop up then it means I can immerse myself in their sound, look at their history and if they come from a disbanded band, who has reformed in a supergroup, or just a brand-new band hitting the airwaves in a bid to rock the fuck out!
What makes these new discoveries more worthwhile is when they present a clear and solid effort that will make you happy at the discovery and not only that but when the album is a solid listing of thirteen tracks, you can really enjoy the full running time and engage in what the band are trying to convey and in this effort, a solid metal and groovy metalcore feast for your ears. Each song brings a little version of face-melting joy and beat-downs to get involved with. A classic style of metalcore riffage from the early 2000s that we all know and love, which is a testament to the genre that it can still bring joy and engagement from the fans of metal, but also bands that are willing to keep the early formula alive. I won’t bother with finding similarities in other bands to these guys, because they deserve their own listen, and you can make your mind up, but there is a definite hardcore vibe with a groove that many a band made their notoriety from and still do today.
Having thirteen tracks allows for a creative arc, more tracks to get your pallet suitably moist for the journey of the album and what is to come, and you won’t be disappointed. I’ve had this on repeat for a while, and it doesn’t get old. In fairness, I’m still hearing riffs, stops, and samples that make me stop and take notice/. It’s consistent in its delivery and its production. A solid take and a very enjoyable album to listen to in any state. Guitars are chunky, drums are pounding, and vocals are angry, which when rolled up in the production allows for a very bouncy and heavy wave of audible pleasure to wash all over you, which is what one wants when they are getting their groove on with an onion-shaped face of approval and if you don’t believe me, just listen to the track “Bleed Yourself” and tell me that mid-section with the bass doesn’t sound like a lacerated arm wound where you can hear the tendons moving about, exposed and epic sounding. Do it! You won’t be disappointed.
(4 / 5)
