In spite of its low profile, the Pittsburgh hardcore scene is one of the better currently running, consistently churning out outstanding and original bands. Because of its circumnavigating of hype, the bands that do emerge from the Pittsburgh area carry with them a sincerity not found in most bands. They never seem to succumb to trend-hitching, instead perform music that they want to write because that's what they enjoy. But just because these bands are not signed to one of the "big-three" of hardcore doesn't mean they're lacking in quality. Upstart metal/hardcore outfit Deathright is the latest beacon to emerge from the city of three rivers. The Collapse is their debut effort, a six-song one-sided 12" (with an etching on the flipside).
The Collapse slams from the very get-go with "Descendants of Tyranny." The listener is immediately welcomed with a thundering rhythm section - muddy basslines engulf the ears while hammering drums nearly burst the eardrums. The rhythm section is matched with equally destructive guitars and the bellowing vocal presence of Travis French. The opening guitar work of Jake Miclot and Travis Bennington on "Oblivion's Call" brings to mind Strife - blistering and packing a punch. Meanwhile the mid-section recalls other influences with a slow and beefy low-end - think Crowbar meets Disembodied.
"Only Way Out" and "The Gallows" follow suit with the down-tuned metal and blistering hardcore sounds trading off. There is even a bit of thrash metal influence with the guitar solos that are thrown in. "Pillars of Sin" matches the intensity with its metallic hardcore leanings and the haunting throat of French. Closing cut "The Escapist" again highlights the band's metal roots with its slow-churning riffs and the underlying guitar whaling that goes on in the background before wrapping up with a crushing breakdown.
Lyrically, French focuses on topics concerning the role of humanity in our world. The majority of the time the lyrics tackle the influence humans have had on others and how we have affected the world, unfortunately for the worse. A could example is found in "Pillars of Sin:"
Tell me of a day when you were not disgusted with this world and I will tell you of another day lived in apathy / How long with this continue?
These Pennsylvania upstarts are well on their way. The Collapse is a bruising fifteen minutes of unrelenting hardcore sprinkled with metal flavoring. For an EP this is great but I'd definitely like to see what they would offer up for a full-length. That partnered with some touring would definitely gang them a substantial following with ease.
