Former Cursed frontman Chris Colohan, is the driving force behind SECT’s dark take on Hardcore. Colohan might not be the band’s most well-known member (which would be Fall Out Boy’s drummer Andy Hurley), but regardless, it’s Colohan’s voice that sets apart their new album, Plagues Upon Plagues (Southern Lord) from the current resurgence of metallic Hardcore bands. Colohan’s husky croon gives a wink in the direction of Neurosis. His approach not only brings the articulated lyrics to the forefront but adds more depth to the dark tension of the music. When he does begin screaming as the punch of the riffs hits home, it has a greater dynamic impact.
The riffs are hammered into place by former Earth Crisis guitarist Scott Crouse. Those not familiar with Andy Hurley’s other project Racetraitor might be surprised he is capable of bringing it this hard. After playing with pop giants he certainly learned how to use restraint and serve the song. In this case, Hurley keeps things at a more sludged-out pace rather than pouring on the punk mania. The heft of the guitars is bolstered by Jimmy Change from Undying and bassist Steve Hart. Their chemistry as a unit allows them to shift from heavy grooves to more patrol rock wanderings with some great interplay of guitars along the way.
“#foreverhome” is a scathing commentary on today’s society. Surprisingly, more bands are not as fed up with the world around them as these guys seem to be. Lyrics are politically neutral and vent more against the bigger picture. The world is not black and white, as the bleak nature of things touching all in the Western world seems to be what they are raging against here. As someone who is “apolitical,” if you do not want to be preached to by the gospel of either side of the political spectrum, then you will appreciate this.
“The Lovers Of Life” works off the same stormy tension running under the bulk of the album before it goes straight for the throat with the raging “Inventory.” Even in their more feral moment, they rein the song in giving it more room to breathe.
The last song is a more sludge-influenced take on a Hardcore dirge.
What makes this album stand out from other Hardcore bands dropping albums so far this year is their ability to write songs that are as sonically heavy as they are metal-heavy. If you want to learn the difference between Metalcore and metallic Hardcore, listen to the new Knocked Loose album then give this one a spin. Sect just happens to be darker and denser than most of 2024’s examples of the genre.
If you prefer your Hardcore steeped in brooding shadows then this album is more than worth your time.
Buy the album here:
https://sectsl.bandcamp.com/
9 / 10
WIL CIFER