If my Menzingers and Riverboat Gamblers records were to breed in some sleazy hotel, this Dutch (?) band is the spawn that I imagine would arise from such a union. The vocals are urgent and anthemic (there’s the Menzingers), and the melodies have some sizzling, inventive guitar work (and now the Riverboat Gamblers tumble out). There is a lot more to this than its first impression as a document of post-emo bellowing angst—I’m wanting to raise my fists and kick down doors while simultaneously feeling the urge to bop bop bop around the room. Harsh Realms have got it going on—I’m really looking forward to going deaf to this on my way to work.
–Eric Carlson (Shield)