With the release of their first 7", New Jersey's Hellhole demonstrates just what it means to be pissed off and brooding in America today. Channeling the spirit of fellow Jersey natives, Tear It Up, the band shreds through a few tracks of speedy, cathartic hardcore only to knock you flat on your ass with a couple of slower numbers that prove perfect for practicing the HB Strut.
While most of the record comes at a thrash-like speed, the overall sound is still heavy enough to damage your eardrums if played too loud. Sonically the instruments are overdriven and bass heavy, calling to mind the work of many d-beat bands mixed with earlier Black Flag. For those less involved in underground hardcore punk, imagine the sound of Outbreak or Paint It Black down tuned, sped up, and played through shitty speakers. While this sounds unpromising, a few spins of this record will leave you ravaging for more of the rawness they construct.
The only downside to this release is that it's only available on vinyl, which is a bummer because Hellhole is perfect to skate to. The band only pressed 500 of these. So get on it before they sell out.
