Hellbent

Primitive Hits (2022)

mikebored

When

most people in Canada think of Hamilton, Ontario there's a few things

that may come to mind. The Steel Mill, the University, and past

rumours of a potential NHL team. With that in mind, there's no

shortage of Punk and Hardcore bands either, from the Forgotten Rebels

to Teenage Head and of course Counterparts.

For

fans of those, look no further than Hellbent, a hardcore punk act

with the self described blurb as 'the silliest smokiest band in the

game'.

Recently

dropping an LP on 4/20 this year these guys stay true to their

message with the starting track 'Bong Song' which makes you want to

do anything but burn out on your living room couch. Fast paced

moshing tracks are aplenty on this release, from start to finish - in

fact, there's not much room for anything else to be frank, even with

it's relatively short run time under 11 minutes.

The

single 'My Hits Don't Lie' continue with the cannabis references

found throughout this release, along with the obvious Shakira

reference. Thankfully, no other similarity can be compared between

the two, which also happens to be the longest track of the entire

release, clocking in at 1:57. If there was any doubt of the love of

pot-smoking for these guys, then this track really buries it. This

one is masterfully produced with crispy, distorted guitars and the

vocals are the definite high note (pun intended of course…) of the

track, if not the whole release. Coming in with a punch and never

faltering, the raspiness of the vocals really fit the hardcore sound

the band naturally gives off, thanks in no small part to the

release's producer, Scott Middleton of Cancer Bats fame.

The

second longest track off the record, 'Buckley', referencing John

Denver's Country Roads spits out an energetic sound topped with the

vocalist's non-stop belching throughout the track. Worth noting for

this particular track is probably the only slow-ish part of the

entire release, coincidentally enough during the Country Roads part

of it. Overall, most likely the best musically written and performed

track out of all 8, besides maybe of course 'My Hits Don't Lie'

itself.

Compared

to their other previous releases, consisting primarily of singles and

E.P's, this album, for it's relatively short time as mentioned prior

is a definite step up to those. That's not say that's a bad thing,

however you look at it. The release is pretty much from front to back

a mosh pit in your ears, ironically as such considering the

indiscreet references to weed, bongs and other items of the sort

which generally gets attributed to being chill, relaxing and

generally not taking things too seriously. Regardless, these guys are

nothing of the sort, the whole album will blow your ears off (not

literally!).

For

fans of Madball, Sick of it All and Get the Shot - you won't be

disappointed with this release.

Listen

here:
https://spoti.fi/3GXZNHP
https://music.apple.com/us/album/primitive-hits/1619791273

My

Hit's Don't Lie music

video: