Cold As Life
“Suffer”
b/w “For the Few” 7”
Demons Run Amok
What do you say about this legendary group? Reflecting the
attributes of Detroit since 1988, including all its detriments and its
resilience. “Cold As Life is Detroit and Detroit Is Cold As Life”, Jimmy
Gestapo (of Murphy’s Law) once said. Cold as Life embody Detroit and its
inherent violence, stubbornness, incarceration; but most of all, survival and
fortitude. Continuing after the death of original vocalist, Rawn Beauty, they
moved on to make some killer records. Born to Land Hard defined metallic
hardcore equal with Set It Off and Satisfaction is the Death of Desire. Born to Land Hard is an intimidating and
revered LP; respected for it honesty, aggression and rage. Sole consistent
member and drummer, Roy Bates now carries the famed hardcore band with hardcore
flyer/album artist, Craig Holloway (and ex-Cold As Life from years ago),
rejoining on bass; also adding guitarist Matt Martin and new vocalist, Jesse
Adkins. This EP takes the digital tracks from last spring and commits them
vinyl via Demons Run Amok.
Two killer new songs help anticipate an LP later this year.
They ride that blend of Detroit / NYHC groove and brutality equally. Negative
vibes, tough as Hell riffs and breakdowns; Detroit hardcore purity that is
still punk at heart. Forever sanctioned (and self-imposed) to DIY with touring
and pressing records, Cold As Life only know how to do it their own way. Here,
“Suffer” begins with that feedback rising, like the mythical feel of Born to Land Hard; triggering sweaty
anticipation. Adkins spews callous vocals over the ode to addiction. The chorus
is classic Cold As Life writing, although recorded more straight forward than
that Born to Land Hard metallic
crunch sound. We still hear their defining thick hardcore pummeling and banging
sound. “For the Few” draws us in again with that cold feedback and a thick
strum, gauging the audience’s readiness for the impending melee. A bouncy
mid-tempo song warns of backstabbers, traitors, and snakes. This anthem is a
bonding rally cry for hardcore purists. Heavy and Detroit in each growl and
chord, this is a pit inciter.
Vinyl is yellow (/100) (exclusive to RevHQ). Coretex carries
Blue (/222) and Black (/512). Also, catch the white (/102), mint (/98) (only through
Fastbreak!), and 20 test presses.
