There have been some superb hardcore releases so far this year. Vein’s newest release errorzone is an outstanding hardcore record. Canadian metallic-hardcore outfit SLUMLORD dropped their masterfully chaotic Preview of Hell earlier this year, too. However, with just under 5 months left in this calendar year, my undisputed hardcore record of 2018 has arrived, and it hasn’t come quietly.
Only Self is the long awaited debut LP from Philadelphia, PA–based metallic hardcore outfit JESUS PIECE and it is unflinchingly heavy. Seriously, this record is a nasty piece of business that boasts eleven tracks packed into 32 brain-beating minutes.
I’ve often pondered what the soundtrack to my violent death would sound like. Only Self offers a glimpse into what it would feel like to be thrown through my car windshield and have every bone in my body shatter upon impact with the pavement. The seething callousness throughout this record had me sitting in my office (okay, the glorified desk in my over-sized bedroom) with that stank face look smeared across my head. Judging by my face you’d probably think I opened last weeks half eaten egg salad lunch container that was left on the counter to fester.
Jesus Piece say: “Punish is aggression.”
Make no mistake – you can overwrite a song. Too often we’ve seen bands put out records where they stretch the music they’re writing. They overuse the best part of their songs and it can end up detracting from the finished product. Not on this album. When it’s time to knock out a slamming breakdown (what up ‘Neuroprison’), JP undoubtedly delivers. What JESUS PIECE manages to do so effortlessly with this record is keeping it simple when necessary. While complexity is something that often gets the spotlight in heavy music these days, simplicity is not something to be overlooked. Sometimes a simple, banger of a riff just hits that much harder. The skillful blend of ominous tones and haunting atmosphere just ties everything together too perfectly.
It was a long wait for a full length from JESUS PIECE. This record was absolutely worth the wait. Only Self is hardcore music at its finest. The songwriting, the metallic production, the lyrical content – it’s all so cohesive. When I first learned who JP was, I was glued to the internet for a few weeks watching live videos of a band that is uncompromisingly heavy. It’s a beautiful thing when a band’s live reputation stacks up to their album. This release is the next chapter in what will hopefully be a reign of unending terror for years to come.
I highly encourage fans of hardcore music to snag this the day it comes out. If you’re a vinyl nerd like myself, you’ll have to cop one of the orange/silver splatter vinyl off someone willing to part with theirs on eBay because they are most definitely sold out. Plan B – grab a black vinyl because either way, this is definitely one for the collection.
Southern Lord will release Only Self on CD, LP, and digital formats on Friday, August 24th. Find digital preorders at Bandcamp HERE and physical preorder options HERE.
Only Self will release through Southern Lord Records on August 24th, 2018. Preorder your copy at the JESUS PIECE Bandcamp.
