Innocence Bleeds

Splitknuckle have been a prolific band within the UK hardcore scene for just short of 11 years, starting out a metallic beatdown hardcore band and eventually bringing more to the table with their music while still keeping the DIY hardcore ethic and staying true to what makes them them. Without any further ado, let's jump into the review!

When the first note comes in on the opening track, titled "Lingchi", you instantly get a taste of the talented guitarwork presented here. A very somber opening note that manages to set the tone for the rest of the album. Then after a while of calmness, we're instantly hit in the face by the ferocious hardcore driven aggression, and from then on we're in for an anger fuelled ride that many Splitknuckle fans are accustomed to. The guitarwork is a pleasant entourage of hard hitting beatdowns, crossover/thrash oriented riffs and some nicely done death metal licks, that often switch between At The Gates, early Sepultura and Dying Fetus with its own flavourings of notable hardcore acts such as Special Move, Raiden, Next Step and many others that set the blueprint for this style of music.

Drumming is another factor that carries the rest of the music quite smoothly, often culminating in a mixture of blast beats, bog standard hardcore two step rhythms, hip hop flows that further confirm the Special Move leanings and some traditional death metal gallops that sound like they came from bands like Death, Morbid Angel, Cancer and even Deicide. The bass is nicely balanced too, riding on the riffs comfortably and nothing seems massively out of place. Granted it's hard to hear the bass at times, but when it's present it makes the effort to make its presence known. The vocals are some of the most vicious you'll hear in this style of metallic hardcore, ranging from anguished shrieks, borderline hip hop yells and some of the deepest gutturals you'll hear come out of a hardcore frontman. The vocals are a reflection of the rage and pure disdain the vocalist puts into his lyrics as well.

Speaking of the lyrics, Splitknuckle would take a more introspective approach on their previous material, with the social and political aspects being few and far between. This time around, however, the social and political narrative is at the forefront, spitting vitriol at the current state of the UK's political climate, as well as the social injustice we face each and every day due to how subservient we are as not only a nation, but as a race entirely. It's quite clear the lyrics have a bone to pick with the corrupt Tory party, and rightfully so, because that entire part is a shitshow and will always be that way.

Overall, everything about this album is damn near flawless, my own complaint being I wish it was longer and delved deeper into the absolute talent displayed from every band member, but as of present, SKC are working on a new album, so I'm looking forward to the new chapter of the Essex unit. The production quality is also a very nice balance of raw and polished enough. Nothing's gentrified or squeaky clean, it's just passion that know what it wants out of its sound. I definitely recommend this for people who like both death metal and hardcore, this is sure-fire to tickle your fancy if you like bands that owe their sound to groups like Malevolent Creation and decide to say "fuck it" and emphasis the hardcore side tenfold.

Standout tracks:
Lingchi
Who's to Blame
Di(SKC)losure