Recycled Earth/Jukai

Split 7-inch (2017)

Mike

Long Island’s Jukai and Nyack, NY’s Recycled Earth just

released a split 7” on the unheralded Reconsider Records. The release itself

has a great DIY feel in both layout and music. The bands make sense to share a

release as well, as they are similarly heavy hardcore bands.

The Recycled Earth side has two tracks: “Search Party” and “Plan

of Salvation.” “Search Party” is the listener’s introduction to Recycled Earth

and it leaves a bit to be desired. While the song drips with mosh-heavy

brutality, the structure is a bit too chaotic. More cohesion and transitions between

the different parts of the song would do well to make it a more palatable

track. There are, however, some really well-placed guitar harmonics and choppy

riffs that give it enough to listen through. “Plan of Salvation” is a far more organized

and compelling song though. There is a good use of negative space by way of

feedback, and the guitar and drums carry along much better. Lyrically, “Plan of

Salvation” seems to be an indictment or at least a questioning of organized

religion, always good fodder in the hardcore world. If this side of the split

suggests anything it’s that Recycled Earth have potential. They play heavy

dissonant hardcore that doesn’t stray too far in any particular direction, and

they certainly have a sound to build on as they grow.

Jukai offer up two songs on their side of the split as well.

The opener, “One Life Not Wasted,” straddles the divide between techy metal and

hardcore for sure. By not wandering off that line so to speak, the song manages

to be really absorbing. The lyrical content only serves to boost that too. The

vocalist has a delivery that helps the listener more clearly feel his

discontent, drawing on a raspy but impactful scream. Add in lines like “A

virtuous man in his grave means more to the world than the scum who walk this

earth today (One life not wasted)” and you’re grabbing listeners who appreciate

the heavier side of hardcore with some surprisingly insightful angst. “Incarcerate”

follows and draws immediate connections to Minnesota’s Harvest, particularly in

the guitar work. There is a strong balance of mid and fast tempo as well as

savvy guitar layering. This track also brings cohesion to the release as a

whole because, similar to Recycled Earth, Jukai too make good use of choppy

guitar breaks here.  Jukai are abrasive

and jarring, and that sound works for them. The raspy vocals are balanced

against more guttural backups, and the lyrics simply work with accessible

insight. This is a strong release for a band on the move.

Both Recycled Earth and Jukai seem to be heading towards

that next step in their musical evolution, and this release is evidence of that

progress. If you like your hardcore heavy with some no-frills beatdown

stylings, there are songs for you. If you like a bit more metal and layering in

your ears, there are songs for you as well.  The split is a solid DIY hardcore release, no

two ways about it.