I Need Closure's band name, album title and cover screamed pure nü-metal angst to me when I opened their package, so I'd be lying if I said I wasn't apprehensive when glancing over the one-sheet. A collective sigh ensued when I read statements like "the old school influence of Black Flag" and "arty edge reminiscent of Deadguy, Converge, or Unsane."

I Need Closure's Uneasy Listening indeed matches those promises, as its usually fast yet monolithically heavy hardcore sound resembles a collision of Unbroken and Deadguy, with guitars cremating everything in their path, perfect feedback pinches and a thick, driving sound going all 21 minutes. However, what gives it a unique edge is that the distorted shout of their singer, Bobby Patterson, sounds unexpectedly like that of Stay Gold's Chad Repp (think "Three Weeks"), giving it a strong and surprising contrast.

The band doesn't always play at speedier tempos, though, as more lumbering, throbbing slabs like "Unrewarded" and the pulsating pounds of "Undesirable" prove. Either way, there's lots of choking flourishes and creative divebombs to keep one's interest. Closer "Unfaithful" has a great atmosphere about it as well, taking cues from something like Swans and Neurosis more than anything.

Uneasy Listening, despite its dreary, discomforting and depressing themes, is actually a pretty easy listen if you're into the type of imaginative and dynamic metallic hardcore that rarely gets its due.

STREAM
(Mis)understood
Unfinished
Unappreciated
Unending