Metalcore Monday: Heart Of A Coward - Nauseam

Metalcore Monday may or may not be a thing. I have no idea. It's just a joke really, heavier bands on a monday, why not? Let me know if you like this "feature" and whether you want it to be a regular occurrence in the comments section below! Nice.

So, this afternoon groove metal quintet Heart Of A Coward let loose a new single off their forthcoming record Severance being released by Century Media and scheduled for November 4th before embarking on a UK wide club tour in support of said album.

Now for those of you who are not so familiar with Heart Of A Coward that's fine but you will be soon. They are taking the underground scene by storm. A big bloody, bone crushing storm.

Formed back in 2009 they acquired former Sylosis front man Jamie Graham a couple of years later. It was at this time they felt ready to release a debut full length. The outcome was Hope and Hindrance. It was a pummelling, metallic assault the likes of which the UK metal scene had never really quite experienced before. Their utilisation of Meshuggah like 8-string bludgeoning and soaring melody was what caught the ears of many critics, which attracted rave reviews. After a small line up change and one single earlier this year, they are back...

This song has everything a HOAC fan would know and love about this band. A Karnivool/Architects esque loop leads into the most atrocious syncopated riff. Jamie's voice as always never falters as he roars through each verse. Drumming wise Christopher Mansbridge demonstrates once again his technical brilliance behind the kit. Ghost notes, poly-rhythms, breakdowns, you name it, he did it. The guitar work throughout is just downright nasty... in absolutely the best possible way. They judder and stab at points, punctuating Jamie's commanding vocals. Written with movement in mind, the groove captivates and would make even my Grandma headbang.

What a perfect set up to Severance this is. It is up there in contention with Shade, widely accepted as their best song. Heart Of A Coward have always meant business, it would be stupid to say otherwise. This reaffirms that they are after every one of you. And when they get to you; you won't believe what you hear.

Serious recommendation here - get this album when it drops.

10/10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcxvrMRymp0&feature=youtu.be (VIDEO IS UNLISTED, FOLLOW LINK)

Seb Wainwright
Twitter: @Get_WhatYouGive