Hidden Mothers made sure to sneak in their debut full-length just before the 2024 calendar year comes to a close, and it’s important that everyone makes sure not to miss this one as 2025 approaches with a new crop of releases.

Erosion / Avulsion (Church Road Records) culminates in eight tracks of self-described “ethereal Post-Hardcore/Screamo” and is just over forty minutes of luscious dynamics and a whirlwind of differing approaches and styles. 

It can be a cop-out to start reviewing a record with the vocals, but here it’s quite important. Harsh and biting or imperiled and evocative, Erosion has it all, and it’s done so eloquently and carefully.

“Death Curl” is a shining example of the unhinged nature of the vocals as they unpredictably bob and weave this way and that. Despite that, though, the track becomes raw and unfiltered yet still coherent and aware. Wonderfully pained “death curl!” shouts echo and ignite.

There are moments on this album when the screams are delivered as if preparing final words before death. They become gruff and dense, foretelling of devastation. They also aren’t afraid to be hypnotic and entrancing in more of a post-y piece yet still can exhibit a carefulness and gentle nature. 

Hidden Mothers isn’t a one-trick pony – far from it. Melodies and riffs appear suddenly yet organically, and exude a subtly cinematic tone. A warbling bass guitar can be heard dancing in the background (“Canton Green”) and eclectic drum work throughout “The Grey” proves the group doesn’t need speed or weight to be heavy and tormenting.

You can find soft-mannered, introspective bouts and also rambunctious, chopping guitar rhythms. What you can’t find on Erosion / Avulsion are signs of mediocrity or ill-timed or -placed sections. Everything feels firmly established and carries the demeanor of a record which is still tethered to something but is doing everything in its power to break free.

Buy the album here:
https://bfan.link/violet-sun

8 / 10
MATT COOK
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