If Biohazard wasn’t already putting out a highly anticipated modern Hardcore Metal hybrid banger later this year then we’d call what’s on the horizon from Australia’s No Apologies the rightful successor to that particular throne. However, Biohazard is indeed back which makes No Apologies’ Life very much its’ own thang which suits the record just fine as we’re sure you’ll agree upon hearing and realizing there’s really no comparison to what these Down Under heavies come up with.
We had the opportunity recently to intently dive back into this record while on a road trip and it was astonishing to try and pick apart the seemingly blurred lines between Thrash (Anthrax and Testament especially) and Old School New York Hardcore with the way that Pete Abordi (Vocals), Peter Bursky (Guitar), Andres Hyde (Drums), Chris Wilson (Guitar), and Patrick Taylor (Bass) create music here as big riffs make way for bigger choruses over and over again.
“Womb Birth” is a fabtastic beginning that seamlessly bleeds into the title track and sets the tone of what to expect on the rest of Life. “Time” is delightfully dastardly coming in with some large grooves and larger verses while “Illness” picks up the pace considerably highlighting drummer Hyde’ s prolific pounding as well as the super shredding from Bursky and Wilson
One of our most favorite aspects of Life is when it dips with “Palliative Tomb” hitting mid-stride like a cold turkey comedown following the ferocious “Illness” and showcasing a softer side of Abordi’s voice filled with layered verses and choruses and an all around moody/sobering tome which builds and builds, gaining momentum until all hell breaks loose on “Loss”.
“Hollow” is grand with a great big gargantuan pit moment towards the end, “Grief” follows a similar suit with an especially robust rumble out of Taylor’s bass, and “Eternal” is the rev up to the conclusion with help from Speed’s Jem Siow. Speaking of help, Todd Jones (Nails, Terror, etc) lends a hand for “Peace” which we kind of think is a modern “Punishment” if you will, or at least No Apologies’ version of “Punishment”, with that massive lead in that bookends the bonkers breakdowns in between.
Life happens through Last Ride Records on August 29th. Pre-orders are up now and can be found by heading here or to the stream below. For the rest of the pertinent No Apologies info, hit the socials by clicking here.