Harm’s Way
Rust
(Deathwish Inc.)
3.5/5
Chicago has bred some disgusting metal and hardcore bands (see: Integrity and, well, Integrity). Harm’s Way are no exception, continuing the time-honoured Chicago hardcore tradition of evil, serpentine riffing and anguished vocals.
Rust features 10 harrowing songs of terror, torture and internal struggle, but don’t let that scare you off too much. Below the pain and sorrow is a hopeful, almost melodious, roar that, as the album progresses through its scream therapy, ends up settling on the surface.
“Hope,” appearing at the album’s halfway point, proves that all is not lost.
Released on Deathwish Inc., the record label run by Converge’s Jacob Bannon, and recorded, mixed and mastered by the trio of Andy Nelson (Weekend Nachos), Kurt Ballou (Converge) and Brad Boatright (From Ashes Rise), there’s no shortage of legit hardcore community surrounding this release.
Better yet, Harm’s Way already have enough fury and chaos to carry Rust themselves.