Review
Thumbscrew
Within Hearts of Redemption

Imagine It (2006) Sean L.

Thumbscrew – Within Hearts of Redemption cover artwork
Thumbscrew – Within Hearts of Redemption — Imagine It, 2006

There are a million and one spazz/metalcore bands around nowadays. And I can't name any of them besides Ed Gein, whose first record was what initially turned me off from the whole style. The bands that play this style of music are obviously apt at their instruments, but the focus is more on showing five seconds worth of technical prowess followed by incoherently distorted garbage. Don't get me wrong, I like noise and grind but the conglomeration of them doesn't come off as one part James Plotkin, one part Barney Greenway, it sounds like Daughters and Norma Jean. Unfortunately, Thumbscrew is really no different.

And, to add insult to injury, the anagram - "W.H.O.R.E." - of their record, Within Hearts of Redemption EP, is insipidly juvenile as well, and the lyrics follow suit. I got it, there's some girl you think is slutty. She's the embodiment of everything you hate and she's self-destructive. This unmasked misogyny is unnerving and bothersome. Why in the world would you bother to document such ass-backwards ideas? Hopefully every kid wearing a white belt and girls' jeans will have better sense than to endorse this.

3.0 / 10Sean L. • October 17, 2006

Thumbscrew – Within Hearts of Redemption cover artwork
Thumbscrew – Within Hearts of Redemption — Imagine It, 2006

Related news

Imagine It Signs Thumbscrew

Posted in Labels on March 1, 2006

Recently-posted album reviews

Cel Ray

Cel Rayzer
Exploding In Sound Records (2026)

I don’t remember how, but I stumbled across Chicago’s Cel Ray in 2023 on the heels of their debut EP, Cellular Raymond. I was immediately hooked. After another EP and a single, the band finally brings us their debut long player, Cel Rayzer. To no surprise, it’s excellent. Cel Ray plays a brand of post-punk that’s lo-fi and streamlined. Singer … Read more

Bevis Frond

Horrorful Heights
Fire Records (2026)

God loves Nick Saloman, and from the heavens, the expulsion of the beloved archangel fell and spawned Horrorful Heights. A 20-track double-album behemoth. Eighty-eight minutes of musical mayhem. Who does that anymore? nobody. As they edit themselves down to make nice, safe Spotify playlists, Nick just dumps the whole glorious attic on your head like the wicked witch of the … Read more

Nine Pound Hammer

Too Outlaw For Outlaw Country
Reptilian Records (2026)

For nearly forty years, Nine Pound Hammer have occupied a strange corner of American music that very few bands have ever managed to touch. They're too loud for traditional country, too country for most punk bands, too dirty for radio rock, and frankly too stubborn to care where anyone thinks they belong. That's exactly why Too Outlaw For Outlaw Country … Read more