The last two years have been very kind to hardcore bands and their fans. Recently, there's been a barrage of great releases that have seen longtime acts level up and newer bands skyrocket right out of the gate. Gumm is of the latter crew — their debut LP Slogan Machine is here to upend expectations and shake foundations.
Formed in 2018, Gumm have slowly been working their way toward Slogan Machine, now having a strong collection of EPs under their belt. That time spent gestating seems to have suited the Chattanooga five-piece, as their first album brings with it a collection of songs that draw influence from all things heavy. Gumm find a way to blend elements of post-punk, hardcore, and even power-pop into the album's whirlwind thrash. Slogan Machine is full of catchy melodies and hooks, but it carries a jagged edge all the way through driven by drummer Harrison Battles, who mixes in blistering punk rhythms and punishing blast beats.
Comparisons are hard to come by for this band, because they incorporate so many different elements into their songs; however, it's hard not to find some similarities between Gumm and Touché Amore, due in large part to the similar voices of Touché vocalist Jeremy Bolm and Gumm frontperson Drew Waldon. Not only do they share a comparable style of vocals filled with aggression and urgency, but they also have a penchant for crafting mindful and nuanced lyrics.
Across Slogan Machine's eight tracks, Waldon explores societal and cultural shortcomings, namely exposing the individuals who fail to show compassion and empathy, traits necessary to heal instead of divide. On the title track, Waldon exclaims, "Always chasing the high / Of holier than thou / Jumping at every chance / To put your neighbor down," before closing the song with "If ignorance is bliss / Then you must be in heaven." Waldon effectively points out the hypocrisy of those who hide behind their religion as a means to justify their hate, and condemns those who fail to think critically about how they live and treat others around them.
The same sentiment comes through on "Free," when Waldon screams, "An indifferent glance / Cast down at your bloodstained hands / Trapped inside the cage you built / You cry because you can't believe / That I broke free," as he reflects on the reasons for those who are unable to break through and find a new way to care and think about others.
On the instrumental side, guitarists Dylan Mikres and Trevor Lynch deliver blazing riffs and catchy leads throughout, complimented by Battles and bassist Philip Amos' driving rhythms. Sounding heavy and hard is much easier to do when traditional breakdowns are included, as they are in most contemporary hardcore — Gumm succeed without going to that well. Battles' pounding drums, Waldon's weighted vocals, and Mikres and Lynch's accentuated leads can give a song like "Give You Back Your Youth" bombastic punk energy, even when the harmonized vocals sneak into the chorus. And when they really want to reach back for something extra, they unleash a fury of downstroke power chords and even louder vocals (which really shine through on "Mirror").
Another song or two would certainly be welcome, but that's hardly a concern considering the energy never falters across the album's twenty minute runtime. A solid debut from a band who were clearly ready for their first full length, Slogan Machine showcases a group ready to make their next leap.
(Convulse Records )Formed in 2018, Gumm have slowly been working their way toward Slogan Machine, now having a strong collection of EPs under their belt. That time spent gestating seems to have suited the Chattanooga five-piece, as their first album brings with it a collection of songs that draw influence from all things heavy. Gumm find a way to blend elements of post-punk, hardcore, and even power-pop into the album's whirlwind thrash. Slogan Machine is full of catchy melodies and hooks, but it carries a jagged edge all the way through driven by drummer Harrison Battles, who mixes in blistering punk rhythms and punishing blast beats.
Comparisons are hard to come by for this band, because they incorporate so many different elements into their songs; however, it's hard not to find some similarities between Gumm and Touché Amore, due in large part to the similar voices of Touché vocalist Jeremy Bolm and Gumm frontperson Drew Waldon. Not only do they share a comparable style of vocals filled with aggression and urgency, but they also have a penchant for crafting mindful and nuanced lyrics.
Across Slogan Machine's eight tracks, Waldon explores societal and cultural shortcomings, namely exposing the individuals who fail to show compassion and empathy, traits necessary to heal instead of divide. On the title track, Waldon exclaims, "Always chasing the high / Of holier than thou / Jumping at every chance / To put your neighbor down," before closing the song with "If ignorance is bliss / Then you must be in heaven." Waldon effectively points out the hypocrisy of those who hide behind their religion as a means to justify their hate, and condemns those who fail to think critically about how they live and treat others around them.
The same sentiment comes through on "Free," when Waldon screams, "An indifferent glance / Cast down at your bloodstained hands / Trapped inside the cage you built / You cry because you can't believe / That I broke free," as he reflects on the reasons for those who are unable to break through and find a new way to care and think about others.
On the instrumental side, guitarists Dylan Mikres and Trevor Lynch deliver blazing riffs and catchy leads throughout, complimented by Battles and bassist Philip Amos' driving rhythms. Sounding heavy and hard is much easier to do when traditional breakdowns are included, as they are in most contemporary hardcore — Gumm succeed without going to that well. Battles' pounding drums, Waldon's weighted vocals, and Mikres and Lynch's accentuated leads can give a song like "Give You Back Your Youth" bombastic punk energy, even when the harmonized vocals sneak into the chorus. And when they really want to reach back for something extra, they unleash a fury of downstroke power chords and even louder vocals (which really shine through on "Mirror").
Another song or two would certainly be welcome, but that's hardly a concern considering the energy never falters across the album's twenty minute runtime. A solid debut from a band who were clearly ready for their first full length, Slogan Machine showcases a group ready to make their next leap.