FEBRUARY SHOUT-OUTS: HIGHER POWER, PROFILER, DESPIZE

Higher Power-"Absolute Bloom"

With a track that’s as much 90s alternative rock as it is hardcore, Leeds outfit Higher Power return with one of my favorite songs of the year so far in "Absolute Bloom." In terms of vibe, aesthetic, and to a degree sound in its framework of 90s alternative rock meets hardcore with a clear ear for the hook, "Absolute Bloom" feels like the younger cousin of Four Year Strong’s self-titled 2015 album, with vocals reminiscent of Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction. It’s a cool, catchy spin "for the freaks, by the freaks."

Profiler-A Digital Nowhere

I characterize Profiler’s sound as nü djentcore, a modernized melding of influences from the past in late-90s and 2000s nü metal and alternative rock with contemporary djent-influenced metalcore. Illustrative would be the album’s first song "All In Forever," which showcases the band’s dexterity opening with what reminds me of the beginning of "The Mixture" by Volumes but nü metal-ified before segueing into something that sounds like it could’ve been on 311’s Transistor. From there, the track mines Deftones and Limp Bizkit with a contemporary metalcore flavor. There's a wide spectrum of sounds on A Digital Nowhere ranging from the more accessible "Delay," which feels like something off Morning View by Incubus with almost a little bit of Three Days Grace in there, to songs like "To Utopia" and "Zero," which get quite heavy. None of this range feels forced, though, or like it is a hodgepodge of assorted influences with no coherence. Among the several other surprising yet organic combinations throughout the record that hit, most notably is the sneakily really catchy "Operator," which feels like the love child of Filter and Vision of Disorder. It’s a record that exhibits a ton of potential from the group, much of it already realized.

You can check out my interview with vocalist and guitarist Mike about the album and more here.

Despize-Scotland’s Hardcore

If you’re going to position yourself as the hardcore of your nation, then you’d better bring the heat. Consider it brought. While Ben Brodie’s bona fides alone could enable him to speak for Scottish hardcore, this album isn’t a resting-on-laurels or phone-it-in affair for Despize, as if that would even be a possibility. This is a hard-as-nails, sweat-drenched, furious, no-frills offering of aural punishment. Listen at your own risk, as it’s going to feel like you’re physically smack-dab in the middle of the pit with appendages swinging by your face.