MINDSNARE „The Death”

Music: Hardcore
Website: www.mindsnare.live.com.au
Duration: 23.36 (10 songs)
Cool songs: Bulldozed, The Death, To The Boil, You Die Alone, Betrayer

As a straight up Metal head who was raised on classic the Metal of the eighties I shouldn’t like Hardcore. However, past involvement in the music industry through radio and writing has given me exposure to the whole genre of heavy music – Hardcore included. I guess it’s the attitude and intensity that continues to win me over. I listen to a stack of Hardcore bands. However I must admit that my preference is for classic old school American Hardcore. You know the shit folks – I can’t ever go past the Cro-Mags, Agnostic Front, Sick Of It All and Earth Crisis. In 2004, bands like Hatebreed, Terror and Stampin Ground carry the HC flame also.

In Australia, ‘THE’ Hardcore band of the day is Mindsnare. I make no apologies punters, but as far as Aussie Hardcore is concerned, Mindsnare are just about the only band I care to listen to. There is obviously a healthy Australian hardcore scene and it is arguable that Mindsnare are the sole pioneers of that scene. Their reputation as one of the founding Aussie HC bands precedes them and with the release of ‘The Death’ that reputation isn’t going to be challenged any time soon.

‘The Death’ is Mindsnare’s fourth studio full length and quickly follows on from the recent re-releases of ‘Hanged, Choked, Wrists Slit’ and ‘The Bootleg 1997-1999’ put out by Trial & Error earlier this year. From the opening strains of ‘Bulldozed’ to the final closure of ‘Betrayer’ Mindsnare have put together their most cohesive and strongest release to date. As a Hardcore act, Mindsnare (to my ears at least) are not built around any established style. There is nothing ‘American’ or ‘European’ about the type of HC music they play. In fact, other than the sharp HC style guitar riffage, their style is actually a bit more ‘thrash/death metal’ in parts, particularly with the incessant snare work from Gordy Forman (Frenzal Rhomb) and Matt’s caustic vocal rage.

With an excellent production courtesy of guitarist Beltsy and DW Norton at Back Beach Studios, ‘The Death’ motors along with the ferocity and sonic attitude that their live gigs are so enamored for. At 10 tracks and a very short, but highly enjoyable 24 minutes, ‘The Death’ represents Mindsnare at the top of their game and is easily their best sounding disc they’ve ever released. The packaging layout is also a major plus for this disc – the old English text lettering, the cover art and all lyrics brilliantly capture this bands professionalism and old school attitude. The thank you list is particularly notable in its adoration for the classic HC and Metal bands of the day that had/still have such a profound effect on the work of Mindsnare. As the band is keen to point out, every one of them still have relevance today and if you are new to this shit, they urge you to check them out. Who do they name check?…well, perhaps I’ll leave that for you to research.

Mindsnare have been hard at it for the past 11 years. They have an extremely loyal following in this country. ‘The Death’ will only enhance their reputation as the leaders of the Aussie HC scene. Having said that, it certainly has the props to stand up internationally also – hopefully, some overseas recognition will follow on the back of it as well.

note: 8.0/10

Tracklist

1. Bulldozed
2. Serrated
3. The Death
4. Cold
5. To The Boil
6. The Web
7. You Die Alone
8. The Blood
9. Two Reasons Why
10. Betrayer