Genre : Hardcore
Released : October 13th, 2021
Label : Pure Noise Records
FFO : Code Orange, Vein,156/Silence, Chamber
After having spin-kicked us all in the teeth in 2019 with "A Different Shade of Blue", Knocked Loose are back sounding more pissed off than ever, along with a new-found horror element to their unmistakable style of metallic hardcore.
Now, whether this focus on eerie dissonant guitar work and distressing atmospheres with a production style that feels both claustrophobic and unhinged was pursued in order to release something fitting for spooky season or is the band's way of hinting at an upcoming change in their identity remains to be confirmed.
However, these new elements pair extremely well with the band's intense aggressive style, especially Bryan Garris's unique, raw-sounding vocals which lend themselves perfectly to this more malevolent sound Knocked Loose have gone for on this EP.
On top of that, it does bring a nice refreshing twist to the band's music since although their sound is incredibly thrilling and heart-pumping, and has inspired more than one up-and-coming hardcore band in recent years; it can hardly be reproduced indefinitely, to a point where it would become sterile.
And that is something I think the band is well aware of, which is why "A Tear Of A Fabric Of Life" is quite reassuring in that respect.
It is also important to note that the EP is accompanied by a short film which cements it in conceptual story-telling and makes it feel like its own thing in a way that is artistically creative and engaging.
Overall, this EP was a pleasant unexpected surprise and some of the tracks on this are easily part of the filthiest and most memorable hardcore songs I've heard this year.
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