Los Angeles, California’s hardcore-crusties Homesick Abortions have been putting their time in to the scene for about thirteen years now. After a slew of EP’s and a couple of full-lengths these veterans have released their third LP titled The Art Of Apathy. If have not had the pleasure of either listening to this band to seeing them play live yet you are definitely in the right place if you are looking for some very different and “out there” hardcore, especially if you enjoy bands such as Rats In The Wall, Leftover Crack (the more hardcore-oriented songs), F-Minus and others in that realm. But just know that Homesick Abortions are no where near straight copies of their peers. They put their own very unique twist on mixing hardcore and crust punk together.

A lot of the band’s songs such as “Happily Ever After” and “Production Recall” (which features Skinhead Rob and Brad Logan) consist of incredibly fast, blaringly distorted, in-your-face instrumentation. At the same time all four members quickly take turns screaming their lines, but their screams are extremely different from one another and that's one of the main aspects that makes their music pretty dynamic. For example, guitarist and vocalist Jonny Grunwald’s screaming has more body and in some ways, is more reminiscent of late 80’s hardcore punk. On the other hand guitarist Whitney Marshall’s screaming, which honestly sounds more like someone is dying in agony or being slowly tortured. It’s a pretty cool contrast that Homesick Abortions have embraced, mastered and made their signature vocal characteristic.

Interestingly enough is the final track of The Art Of Apathy, which is called “Predators.” This track pretty much stays consistent with the overall sound of the album, but what makes it stand out from the rest of the other eleven tunes is about half way through it slows down significantly to where the you hear the guitars and bass follow the marching beat from the drums. After a few bars without any vocals, two of the members sing the lyrics “Only a fool thinks he can solve the world’s problems” in this very dark and melancholy melody. It's a very bold closer for such an angry and high-energy record.

You can check this album out here.