By: Charlie Butler
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 08/09/2017
Label: Holy Roar Records
Every track on “Debt” is imbued with a captivating
air of spontaneity and weirdness, delivered with a terrifying level of
intensity.
“Debt’ CD//DD//LP
track listing:
1) Worth
2) Out Of Commission
3) Grief Vultures
4) Moral Bankruptcy
5) Sertraline
6) Weightless Prayers
7) Ceremony Of Innocence
8) Sinkhole
9) Manufactured Consent
10) Denied Sale
The Review:
Plymouth trio Helpless look set to let a fire under the UK
underground with blistering debut LP “Debt”.
A
number of familiar influences on Helpless’ sound can be detected throughout “Debt”. The furious grind-infused crust
of Trap Them,
the metallic hardcore experimentation of Converge and the mind-melting math-metal
constructions of Botch and Coalesce all make their presence felt. While
there are a few current bands mining similar seams for inspiration (excellent Holy Roar
label mates Employed
To Serve for example), the way Helpless execute this combination of elements
is something else. Every track on “Debt”
is imbued with a captivating air of spontaneity and weirdness, delivered with a
terrifying level of intensity.
The
majority of the tracks here barely make it past the two minute mark but each
one is packed with intricate detail. Furious ragers like “Worth” and “Grief Vultures”
sit alongside mini-epics like “Weightless
Prayers” where the band manage to navigate slower paced territory without
letting up on heaviness.
After
a nine tracks of breakneck, relentless attack, Helpless take a slight breath to
allow album closer “Denied Sale” to
unfurl over five minutes. It begins with their spikiest guitar line scraping
over the ominous rumble of the rhythm section and builds to a crushing finale
where the band unleash an arsenal of lumbering riffs.
“Debt” is an incredible statement from Helpless.
There are few bands out there who can achieve such a perfect balance of spite
and creativity.
“Debt” is available here
