Knocked Loose: Pop Culture


Hardcore has taken on a number of distinct shapes and forms throughout the years since its inception in America in the 1980s. From the traditional full speed ahead three chord thrash of bands like Minor Threat and modern outfits like Trash Talk and The Bronx to the spindly twisty mathematical screech of Converge and The Fall Of Troy to the dark emotive likes of Touché Amoré, there’s something for everyone under that umbrella. Knocked Loose are a young band from Louisville, Kentucky whose sound is an amalgamation of various styles. There is the new-old school wallop of groovy riffs and huge breakdowns fans of Expire and Trapped Under Ice are familiar with. Yet the angst and darkness of metalcore coats their sound, creating a violent, emotional and very potent blend of hardcore/metalcore. Over the course of 5 tracks, Pop Culture, their debut EP shows off Knocked Loose’s brand of sonic malevolence.

More than anything, this record is built for the moshpits. Opening track “The Gospel” starts off with some ominous chugging which breaks into a vicious circle pit friendly riff, then deftly switching into a two-step groove. Their breakdown heavy style of hardcore is a sound that can often become stale in the wrong hands yet their command of dynamics means that every breakdown hits hard; every groove incites the listener into windmilling. The quieter moments not only help to set up a violent onslaught, they create some emotionally touching moments such as the intro to “All My Friends”, with vocalist Bryan Garris delivering some tortured screaming. The guitarwork is largely uncomplicated, yet the chugging is used to craft some of the nastiest riffs in hardcore, with a brief moment of double bass drum driven metalcore style battery in “Separate”. “Manipulator Pt II” also features some delicious filthy single string, nu metal style riffage.  For a debut EP it is exceptionally well produced, every instrument given room to breathe, including the much neglected bass. Vocally Bryan Garris uses a high, raspy scream in contrast to the low growls that often give this sound a tough-guy feel. Indeed where this record succeeds most is its avoidance of tough-guy clichés. It’s is draped in a dark, sorrowful atmosphere, lyrically focused on anger and vulnerability. While it is not the most eloquent, lyrics like “how do I tell my kids, that growing up doesn’t suck?/how do I tell them that their friends are always there, when nobody gives a fuck?” are exceptionally hard hitting in their simplicity.

If I had one major criticism of this EP, it would be the length, with no songs going past the three minute mark. Some slightly more complex guitarwork would not go amiss either, for all its variation, it is at its heart a very meat and potatoes hardcore/metalcore record. Fans of Kublai Khan for instance will recognise many of the tropes employed by this EP, though it thankfully does not lapse into blatant mimicry.  However it is exceptionally well constructed and a very powerful tour de force of intense music. While it may not pique the interest of those who are not already fans of the style, it is most definitely a vital release from an exciting new band for any fans of hardcore or metalcore

7/10

Standout Tracks: The Gospel, Manipulator Pt II, All My Friends

For Fans Of: Varials, Expire, Kublai Khan.

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