Baton Rouge, Louisiana based hardcore punk band DeadCentered are no strangers to heavy music. The band originally started in the early 00's but took a long hiatus to find the right members. Between sifting out big talkers and lining up schedules, forming a committed band is difficult! However, with DeadCentered, persistence has paid off and founding member Joshua Selser (Guitar / Vocals) has found his dream team.
This EP release boasts 6 songs, and a raw but clear recording style. Nothing seems buried in the mix, as is sometimes the case with independent releases. "To Live" begins with a sample and the dirty stylings of Bill May (Bass). This song shows off the band's ability to switch from fast riffing to tasteful, well orchestrated breaks, and a blast beat just for added flavor.
"Skin Deep Cattle" is an unhinged and rampant ride. Selser has a unique tone to his hardcore voice, like a lowered 80s Henry Rollins. In fact, this song reminds me of Black Flag quite a bit, but someone turned the heavy and the crazy all the way up. There are two kinds of people: Ones who would enjoy hanging out and getting wild with this band, and ones who might not make it through the night. Are you brave enough?
"Famine" is an oddly placed acoustic piece, with two distinct movements. It cleanses the palette and gives the listener a small reprieve from the hardcore punk styles that have been represented so far.
"Conflict" is a return to form, with more fast work from Mike Poole (Drums) and intricate parts from Selser and Jeremy Fish (Guitars), including an intriguing break and solos section before an extended scream from Selser. The song seemingly ends, and then the harp comes in. I was somewhat taken aback by this... a hardcore band with a harp?! What's going on here?! This song is very well put together and probably my favorite out of the bunch.
The EP continues on with DeadCentered's interpretation of the classic Guns 'N' Roses song "It's So Easy" featuring Selser's tortured screams. Poole shows off a pummeling tom beat during this cover as well. This is definitely a unique approach to this song, and it works for the band's abrasive style.
The final track, "Joyless Life Of Discontent" is a loud and raucous scream fest, and the vocal mix on this track serves to reinforce the wild energy of the song. Changing in points between a traditional hardcore punk feel and dissonant mathcore sounds a la The Dillinger Escape Plan, this song is the harshest track on the EP. It also contains the line for the title of the EP, breaking down at about the 4 minute mark with the chant, "No Escape From The Human Race." The song ends abruptly with a sad and detuned piano.
"No Escape From The Human Race" is an EP release that this band has obviously overcome struggle to accomplish. The seemingly random insertions of classical music into their fast and angry tunes came as a bit of a shock, but the band held my attention. This EP takes the listener on a journey, and introduces you to a band that is both talented and eclectic. Rooted firmly in hardcore punk, DeadCentered has found an interesting balance. I applaud them for their hard work, and I would like to encourage them to continue exploring their sound! Selser's vocals aren't going to appeal to everyone, but as a fan of old school hardcore I found them to be an interesting evolution toward the heavier side.
Being from Upstate New York, I had no idea there was such a thing as BRHC, but here it is folks. Underground music is really interesting like that, if you just ask, there's a whole world full of really great bands for you to discover! I will continue to do my best to find you new underground music to check out, but as always, YOU have to listen for yourself to find out!
"NO ESCAPE FROM THE HUMAN RACE"
Type: EP release
Release date: May 22, 2018
Label: Self-released
Track listing:
01. To Live (03:12)
02. Skin Deep Cattle (03:08)
03. Famine (01:09)
04. Conflict (04:41)
05. It’s So Easy (03:10)
06. Joyless Life of Discontent (06:41)
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THE VERDICT:
3 out of 5 Skulls
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