Mother Of Mercy - IV Symptoms Of Existence/ More nineties hardcore than most nineties hardcore bands

Some records are hyped almost years before their release. Others quietly find their way in the world. Most hypes eventually lead to dissapointments whereas between those low key record releases gems are to be found.

There's a lot of talk about the new Defeater record on the other side I have yet to read the first raving review of a record that's already out: Mother Of Mercy's 'Symptoms Of Existence'. After a surprisingly good show in Tilburg at the end of last year I was pretty curious about this record and the band doesn't let me down.

If Mother Of Mercy was around in the nineties they would have deserved a spot somewhere between early Earth Crisis and Intergity. The band plays hardcore with metal influences but stays away from the often duplicated Hatebreed sound.

In fact Mother Of Mercy sounds more like a nineties hardcore band than let's say the latest Earth Crisis. The artwork by Paul Romano sets the place for a record that's not optimistic about human kind, but shows that people into bands like Undertow, Congress and Integrity don't have to rely only on the past for records of their liking.

Human Demise - The Odditorium - cd

There's no denying that Dwid Integrity has left his mark on the worldwide hardcore scene. From the US to Asia people have been influenced by 'his' combination of metal and hardcore accompanied by dark, sinister lyrics. Dutch band Human Demise is one of them.

Being around since 2004 Human Demise know what they're doing. Something that is easy to recognize while listening to songs like 'Born/Unborn' and '5x2'. There is definately a nineties feel to all these songs reminding me of Earth Crisis, Ringworm and maybe the second Strife full length.

Lyricwise Human Demise is the total opposite of any React! Records bands coming forth with dark, moody lyrics describing the worst of humankind.

The only negative aspect of this record (if you don't take the negative lyrics into consideration that is) is the execution of the artwork. I think you could do more with a style somewhat similar to American Nightmare's Background Music. Especially the lyrics are at some parts unreadable, giving the total package something of a too rushed feel.

Despite that, on 'The Odditorium' Human Demise show they're a mature band able to win the souls of Integrity and other metalcore fans worldwide.

Myspace: Human Demise