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.