Judiciary
Surface Noise
---originally published on Lambgoat---
Surface Noise
starts at full blast. Judiciary’s first
full-length record is twenty-seven minutes of the type of metalcore that
existed before that label became a dirty word; back when bands like Integrity
and All Out War were beginning to cram metallic riffs into their ultra heavy
brands of hardcore. The five-piece slams through eight
songs (“Zero Hour” is an interlude) of stomping riffs and brutal grooves, an
energetic blend of fury and force.
Less thrashy than their Texas brethren Power Trip, Judiciary
have loaded Surface Noise with enough
screaming harmonics and dive bombs to satisfy the crossover fans while staying
more on the metallic hardcore end of the spectrum. Opener “Social Crusade” wastes no time
setting the tone for the album, Slayer riffs accompany crunchy grooves as the
song builds up to a ripping solo.
Vocalist Jake Collinson screams his way through, providing a higher
pitched opposition to the productions meaty bottom end.
Tracks like “Burden Of Truth” and “Karma’s Knife” follow
suit: raw, savage and heavy as hell. As
the album progresses, though, Judiciary mix up the tone with a few guest vocal
spots. Brody King of God’s Hate provides
a lower inflection to the chug heavy “Temple” while Mortality Rate’s Jess Nix
accompanies the group during the breakdown of “Pure Fury,” one of the albums
heaviest moments.
The bands slower, more stomping side is displayed on
“7.65mm” and closer “War (Time Is Nigh)”.
They hit like a wrecking ball, steadily soaring, yet pummeling
everything in their path. That’s what is
so great about Judiciary. It’s heavy without being overbearing; it’s angry
without being off-putting. They are not
breaking any new ground on Surface Noise,
they’re just doing it all exceptionally well.
I like my hardcore with a side of metal, and Judiciary are serving it up
just right.
Bottomline: Whether you want to call it metalcore, crossover
or even metallic hardcore, it doesn’t really matter. Surface
Noise is just plain good. Judiciary
are a talented band who are playing the style right.
Judiciary - Pure Fury - Surface Noise
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