NO WORTH OF MAN – THE KILLING STREETS

From the opening moments of “I Defy,” the band fly into mathematical precision, delivered with the fiery physical weight. The riffs are dense, almost malleable, as if shaped from wet clay and left to harden under direct sunlight. Drums lock into tight, mid tempo patterns that favor momentum. Influences of modern groove metal is evident, but execution avoids any kind of mimicry by stripping arrangements to their most functional elements.

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Peter Gale’s vocals sit comfortably high in the mix, abrasive, but direct. Opting for sustained aggression, his contributions reinforce the album’s post-apocalyptic framing. Much of The Killing Streets unfolds like a descent through a neon lit wasteland. Urban decay rendered in distortion anyone? “Those of Our Kind” and “Into the Dirt” expand in to the before mentioned atmosphere without ever loosening the tight hold, while “Mondo Decay” unfolds with subtle shifts in pacing that prevent the band's formula from collapsing into monotony.

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“Death Reflections” stands alone with its structural clarity. A defined chorus anchoring the chaos, offering a rare focal point amid the barrage. Closing track “Kill of Gold” withholds the band’s strengths into a final, punishing sequence of breakdowns and tightly coiled grooves.

Produced and mixed by Fredrik Nordstrom, the album shines through with a clean but heavy finish. Guitars don’t blur, and drums land with force. The overall consistency may seem a little mixed on individual tracks for a first pass through, yet that same relentlessness defines the record’s identity. In all, this is a controlled debut assault that is sure to cement the band's legacy to come.

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SCORE 8.5/10

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Words by LearnTwoExist

In collaboration with Headbangers Australia