Spanish is a very musical language. It flows naturally with any rhythm and can accentuate the beauty of a melody like no other. For any artist, this particular romance language is a highly favorable ally. Nueva Etica, an aggressive hardcore/metal band from Argentina, fully embraces their native language. They are also relentlessly direct in their approach to the hardcore genre.
Inquebrantable, which translates to "unbreakable," is an undeniably brutal record. At its best, the album evokes the spirit of Chaos A.D.-era Sepultura. Unfortunately, Nueva Etica are simultaneously propelled and smothered by their influences. The band is so complacent with their formula that they quickly run it straight into the ground. At first listen, the initial few tracks appear almost identical. "Por Los Que Resisten (For Those Who Resist)," one of the most intense songs I've heard this year, is the lone highlight of Inquebrantable. For three minutes Nuevo Etica are ferociously precise, reaching a peak that the rest of the album struggles to recreate.
If it weren't for the bands intense delivery, Inquebrantable would be a paint-by-numbers hardcore album. 1. Choose either of the following two beats: hardcore breakdown or speed metal gallop (maximize mosh-pit potential). 2. Choose no more than four chords (all revolving around Drop-D). 3. Choose any political/social issue and present your lyrics in a universally relatable fashion. 4. Add gang vocals whenever possible for increased audience participation. 5. Repeat.
However, even with all of its generic weaknesses, Inquebrantable is still a relatively enjoyable record. The sheer honesty expressed within each track is difficult to ignore. Loyal fans of the hardcore genre should agree that Nueva Etica easily outshines many of their contemporaries. In an era of trend-chasing rock bands, it's nice to hear someone sticking to their guns. Even if those guns are a bit rusty.
