‘Phoney fascists, trendy hate, better learn some dialectics, before it’s too late’ (Slow Bleed)

North Carolina’s Public Acid are back and further ratchet up the intensity on this follow-up to their very fine 2020 EP, Condemnation.  And have no doubt, this is an utterly fierce record.  The band continue to meld a hardcore punk base with their searing metallic instincts to scabrous effect.  Buzzsaw guitars lay down a blistering assault that segues into crunching mid-paced Entombed-style gallops (Slow Bleed, End Of Pain) and truly crushing slower paced grooves (Ignorance, Deadly Struggle), with equally unrestrained relish.

Meanwhile, demonically frenzied solos are unleashed with reckless abandon, with those on Ignorance and End Of Pain, perhaps, the stand outs.  A merciless, yet nuanced, rhythm section ensures that a semblance of grip is maintained, while rabidly raw vocals explore the causes and consequences of America’s continued political polarisation and social dislocation.  And, as soon as it is over, you will want to dive back into its darkly dissonant embrace all over again.