INHUMAN

Brooklyn's INHUMAN has been bouncing around the East Coast punk/hardcore scene since 1995 and has apparently gotten a significant level of acclaim for past releases. Based on a handful of spins of "Last Rites", said acclaim would seem to have been well deserved. "Last Rites" does not necessarily change the rules or raise the bar. It is just a solid platter of punk and hardcore songs that boast a significant amount of variation and depth in the songwriting, at least for the style of music played.

Counting AGNOSTIC FRONT drummer Steve Gallo in its ranks and offering up more than a few hints about its region of origin, INHUMAN plays a tried and true style that will appeal to a relatively broad cross section of punk rockers and hardcore enthusiasts. The album mix sounds good too, bringing out the bite in the riffs and the bounce in the bass lines, the latter occasionally leaping out of the songs to make sure that you're paying attention. Aside from the rather middling metallic, tough guy stomp of the album opening title track, the album offers thrash-tinged old school punk ("Fashist"),pace changing chuggers ("Heretic"),straight ahead, shout worthy punk rock ("What You Wanted"),and some frantic bashers ("A Fine Line", "Ghost", and "Mania".). The group changes it up on considerably on the album's most dynamic song, "The Dream is Not Dead", one driven by NY hardcore muscle and well-written compositional changeups (a melodic guitar lead here, a few "Whoa oh ohs" there, etc),resulting in a very entertaining tune. The album ends with a mid-tempo melodic number, complete with an organ segment, called "The Lost" that closes the proceedings in fine form.

Those seeking a decent punk/hardcore album that in no way sounds like mall-punk would do well to check out "Last Rites". It is obvious that INHUMAN is not content to rest on their laurels, but instead seeks to keep its music fresh. There is quite a bit to enjoy here.