Leeched: You Took the Sun When You Left

If you look at the track listings alone, you’ll see just how dark and how sad this album is. And then if you decide to listen, you’ll hear something even more devastating than you’re expecting. This is the band’s first full-length release and it’s already set a standard for capturing some of the most despairing and grainy music I’ve heard this year. For the most part, the band combines elements of hardcore and grind�"something we’ve heard before�"but the music is much more than just a familiar blend of styles. Instead, it uses the speed and rawness of the one to let the other be that much more devastating. It’s just raw and raspy from start to finish. There are some surprises. Just when things get really dark, the band speeds things up that leaves the listener fascinated, if disoriented. I’m thinking mostly of the title track, but “Rope� has a similar effect.

I’ve mentioned in other reviews that grind isn’t my favorite style of music, but bands like this challenge my earlier judgments by demonstrating just how dark and chaotic that style can be. If you listen to tracks like “Rope� or “Guilt� (or any of them, really), you’ll hear a band that knows what grind can do for us now. I recommend listening to a handful of songs on this one to see what you think. As debuts go, this one is as strong an introduction as they come. Even better, Leeched is a solid band. Still, some listeners might want to take them in small doses. For those brave enough to take this whole thing in, make sure it’s still sunny outside when you’re done. You’ll need the light and the fresh air.

Track Listing:
1. Cripple the Herd
2. Rope
3. The Stone and the Steel
4. By the Factories
5. Guilt
6. A Mouth Full of Dirt
7. Born in Sand
8. Raised by Lead
9. Hollow-Point Weddings
10. Harrow the Pastures
11. You Took the Sun When You Left

Added: July 19th 2018
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1008
Language: english

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