Underneath – Nothing Here Is Held Sacred (EP)
Release Date: 20th January 2023
Label: Self-Release
Bandcamp
Genre: Metallic Hardcore, Deathcore.
FFO: Boundaries, Loathe, Knocked Loose.
Review By: Ryan Payne
Swinging hard out of Pittsburgh, we have Underneath with their savage debut EP “Nothing Here Is Held Sacred”.
Breakdowns, fight riffs, blast beats… it has it all and it really packs a punch. Underneath have really pushed the boundaries with this record, experimenting with different modern techniques and giving the listener a fresh take on the hardcore genre. While the band initially label themselves as hardcore, there is a very strong element of deathcore thrown into the mix. The combination of both genres creates such a destructive force that any heavy music fan would love these guys. The production on this record really brings out the best in all aspects of the band, from the experimental riffs to the head pounding drums. The overall writing of this record is something to be admired; a mixture of modern and old-school with some experimentation thrown into the mix makes this a very unique sounding EP and I very much want to hear more.
Vocalist Joey Phillips strays from the path as he doesn’t sound like your typical hardcore vocalist. His technique and tone sound like he’s more suited for death metal or something similar, but his style makes this debut EP stand out, giving it a more primal edge over current bands in the scene. His range seems limited between his mid-growls and a couple of high screams in a couple of tracks, but in this case, less is more, and it has really worked for the overall sound on this record.
Underneath have come into the music scene like a hurricane with this new EP, leaving no survivors as they help try to redefine an ever-changing genre. “Nothing Here Is Held Sacred” is a debut release that will definitely get some attention from fans of the genre and people from the music industry. 
(4 / 5)
