Purgatory
Cold Side of
Reality
Unbeaten Records
June 1 2018
Purgatory come out of Nebraska, pounding a dismal and brutal
brand of hardcore. They do not linger in limbo, but have dedicated themselves
to a caustic delivery of savage hardcore. Purgatory have one mission: the
salvation of the breakdown. Resurrecting the 90s metallic ethos, Purgatory nods
to those bands’ legacies. This band goes all out in one direction. Purgatory’s Cold Side of Reality is eight tracks of
menacing beatdown hardcore.
The full-length debut, on Buddy Armstrong’s (Stigmata)
Unbeaten Records (who has given us Left Behind and No Victory), is racing with
catchy riffs and hard as nails drumming. The nodding rhythms, often riding a
double bass, found an alliance with bitter, scathing lyrics. Only having
released an EP in 2015, Gospel of War, Purgatory have gained notoriety on their
furious live shows; which have seen them open for Cruel Hand, Harm’s Way,
Twitching Tongues, Ringworm, Terror, All Out War, Blood For Blood, Stigmata,
Leeway, Merauder and Knocked Loose; plus an April tour with Since The Flood and
Absolute Suffering.
“You’ve never felt real fear – you’ve never known true pain
Face to face with the .45 – Do what it takes to survive”
The title track opens the album. Maybe it is because I have
been rewatching The Wire. The slow
riffs drip like molasses, with trickling bounce from double bass rhythms and
tings of cymbals with accents from the guitars high strings. The mood is bleak
and callous. The lyrics drive this atmosphere home with tangible tales of the
gutter. Speaking on the new album vocalist and co-songwriter Matt Anderson said
“a lot of emotion went into these songs, it’s violent and angry but wrapped in
feelings of anxiety and personal pain. The songs reflect the problems and the
truth of a society that most people ignore or are just ignorant of.”
Anderson and tenured guitarist, Josh Mata, have found
rejuvenation with new members: Jake Henry on guitar, Adam Easterling on drums
(also of Orthodox) and Brian Pilla on bass (also in No Victory). The new energy
and focus profusely emanates from these new tracks; pissed and unapologetic.
“Violence as My Vice” pounds incessantly and offers no penance for offenders;
with a guest spot from Bob Riley. By third track, I am ready for a little burst
in the tempo. Purgatory deliver that with a faster track, “Sincerely Yours”.
Picking up the pace for a soundtrack of picking up change is well served. The
next track does the same. The production stands out as Easterling’s drumming is
varied and pronounced; serving up layers of punctuation. Guitar leads, in quick
measures, spurt forward adding nuance to the chugging riffs.
Side B steps up the intensity in songwriting and is
heightened by a guest spot from Mike Score. This might be my favorite track.
The remaining three tracks continue to pulverize. Purgatory push and push;
laying down hard ass tracks with nuanced guitar work and stellar production
(“Pray for Death” has great bass line which is highlighted in a breakdown and
some killer dive-bombs!). They tracks are blistering testaments to enmity. The
roiling rage is palpable (“Forced Failure”) never shying from aggression and
confrontation. Picking up the speed and not solely relying on repeated
breakdown makes the breakdowns appreciated.
Unbeaten presents The
Cold Side of Reality on Clear w/ Black Smoke Vinyl and CD.
RIYL: Cold As Life, Merauder, All Out War, Stigmata, God’s
Hate, Xibalba, Harm’s Way
July Tour (More TBA)
July 13 Kent Ohio @ The Outpost (with All Out War, Sworn
Enemy and Dissent)
July 14 Detroit MI @ “Motor City Fest” The Sanctuary
July 15 Johnson City, NY @ Avenue DIY (with All Out War,
Sworn Enemy and Dissent)
