INCISIONS – Bliss LP (TNS Records)

Personal Punk reviews Manchester band’s upcoming paint-stripper

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Don’t wanna live a little city life
filled with so much hate
I wanna live a big city life
with all the drugs that I can take
Don’t wanna stop drinking
just because I’ve lost my head
you wanna die for your country
but your country’s fucking dead

You’re not the same as me…

You’re Not The Same As Me

INCISIONS are a stripped-down, hardcore punk band from Manchester. Bliss is the follow-up to their 2018 self-titled debut and, while it may be ferocious and fast, it’s much more focused, with some neat twists along the way.

The intro to opening salvo You’re Not The Same ushers in the mayhem with dirty bass, ringing feedback and embittered vocals, before turning the ratchet on discordant guitar and pounding rhythm section. From Fuck The World‘s astonishing 69 seconds of fast, nihilistic hardcore, to Repeat Prescription’s twisted guitars, brutal break-down and blunt lyrics, you know you are in safe hands.

Don’t wake me when you leave
But make sure I can still breathe
Can’t afford a repeat prescription
Spent all my money on drug addiction
I can never sleep…

Repeat Prescription

Back of the line delivers a mid-paced, catchy singalong that brings to mind Leeds superstars THE DAUNTLESS ELITE. No Shame, while also holding back on speed, doesn’t skimp on pounding anger, despite its jangly guitar intro. Whether it’s the little surf guitar licks in The Sweeney or the ragged acoustics of Better, the band have pushed at the boundaries of a twenty minute hardcore punk album, while maintaining their root integrity. Insecure’s 39 seconds of fury closes the album on a high, including the most incredibly satisfying drum intro. Breathtaking.

People need to understand I’m insecure
I can’t live inside my head anymore

Insecure

INCISIONS have incorporated eyebrow-raising elements of discordant noise-rock while sticking to brief run-times – only two songs breach the two-minute mark. Whether nudging POISON IDEA nihilism, OFF WITH THEIR HEADS sing-a-long or COKE BUST brutality, it’s all filtered through a British working class prism of self-hatred and class injustice. Bliss retains quickfire intensity, razor-sharp song-writing and a relatable personality. It’s clear that we are witnessing a band at the peak of their powers: the guitar demolishes, the rhythm section flattens, the vocals rage and the lyrics hit home. The production is well judged, clean without sterility, raw without murk.

In short, twelve crushing songs, seething with a desperate fury and righteous indignation at the pitiful shadow that is the current state of the nation’s psyche. All in just twenty minutes.

Released 2nd April on translucent green vinyl and CD. Available for pre-order here:

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