‘Their riches come from exploitation, Prosperity from international subjugation, Yet their claims to greatness, Are based on a myth of isolation’ (Empire’s Deceit)

The feral, snapping jaws of the cover art are drawn from a graphic novel that charts the story of escaped 19^th century slaves in Brazil.  It vividly primes expectations for this debut 7-inch, both musically and thematically.

Featuring as they do members of both Catharsis and Point Of No Return, it comes as little surprise that North Carolina’s From Below favour darkly atmospheric metallic hardcore.  However, while nods to both can be found, having a solitary vocalist, as opposed to Point Of No Return’s trio, and leaning more into rapid-fire d-beat and 1980s’ USHC rhythms than the more crust inspired influences of Catharsis, ensure that the dynamics of their sound evolve rather differently.

The urgently roared vocals alternate between English and Portuguese as the three tracks examine the rationalities that have justified the use of nuclear weapons (Teratomachia) and the brutal legacies of Portuguese colonialism in Africa and South America (Feitoria / Factory).  My personal highlight is, perhaps, the venomously surging Empire’s Deceit as it pulls together the threads that see overseas imperialism fuel domestic intolerance.