Throats

Throats [12-inch] (2010)

OverDefined

Throats is a UK-based apocalyptic hardcore band that is heavy on depression and aggression. Sonically, the band mixes huge guitars with powerful drumming, meandering through fast grind sections, low-tuned half-time riffage, droning guitars overtop the punk beat, and all underneath high-pitched unintelligible screaming.

If that description sounds like Converge, then that is because this band is the closest approximation of that seminal Boston-based band's sound I've ever heard. Furthering the sonic similarities, Throats even seem to hit on several of the different eras of Converge's catalog. The second track, "My Hands Are Cold" sounds like a When Forever Comes Crashing B-side while the closing track has some serious You Fail Me moments with its fast start and epic ending. Then there are the vocals which aren't quite as high-pitched and inhuman as Jake Bannon's full-on scream, but they are definitely kindred spirits in approach.

Lyrically, the band is full of despair and hopelessness. As "Something Low from This Way Comes" explains, "Things couldn't get any worse in my head, I have no control over anything in my life. There is no satisfaction in admitting anything at all." The record even starts with the lines, "I'm only as hopeless as you say I am, here's to good health and bad addictions. Just leave me to be on my own, you should be proud. I'm all alone." Of course, you're not going to hear any of that in the vocals as there is, somewhat impressively, not one time I could understand what the vocalist was screaming. I know there a lot of bands like that, but usually you can pick out a word here and there and that is just not the case with this record.

Of particular note is the packaging. The cover shot of a wall of amps makes for a cool album cover and the inside pairs this with black-and-white shots of effects pedals. In my opinion, beat-up amps and pedals pretty much always looks cool and the imagery goes well when paired with the heavy music contained within. My copy of the record is solid grey and features all of the music on one side. The music-less B-side has no grooves and I didn't even notice until my needle went sliding towards the center. It's a cool approach and makes easier the (only) annoying thing about records, which is of course, having to flip them over.

Because of the similarities, Throats should appeal to fans of Converge; however, considering how prolific and consistent that band is, I'm not sure a band that sounds so similar to them is really necessary. That said, I do enjoy listening to this 12-inch release as it is well done and definitely bodes well for the future of the band.