Early Graves

Hats off to Early Graves, who managed to record this album in ten days. Being able to capture the raw emotion and intensity they demonstrate here is something to be proud of. It’s not all hardcore sounds though, as you can hear vocalist Makh Daniels projecting Entombed-like vocals, and Slayer-ish influences are equally present — this is a collective accomplishment of destructive sounds. Lyrically this album comes across as a despondent recollection of harsh times, with "Ghost Among Us” telling a story about a friend who became addicted to drugs and then turned to prostitution. However, it features an epic guitar solo that turns sad into rad. Following suit, "House N*gger” explains Daniels’ time as a minority in a conservative, racist and religious scene. Early Graves manage to take the terrible things that many people go through in their lives and make them into an album of filthy punk tracks with lots of metal. Although an incredibly bleak record, it’s also a testament to the power of people to overcome obstacles, letting others know they’re not alone.