The Departed
Remnants, EP (2010)
Lockjaw Records
Most reviews of this album are going to start with something along the lines of “Grimsby isn’t know for it’s hardcore scene”, or something along those lines. It’s true, mind, but not too much of a surprise when you think about what growing up in dull Middle England towns can do to you. This is really what has, it seems, inspired The Departed. And with Remnants, they’ve crafted seven tracks that are, literally, the personification of the ‘Hardcore Brotherhood’.
Every aspect of every song is there to remind you of how hard they’re working at being in this band, and how hard it is to do it from somewhere with no scene to speak of, and the need to stick together and get out and keep playing. From the dramatic build up of the title-track opener, and straight into the “Stay True” chant in ‘Broactive’, this is an album dripping in ‘Fuck you, this is what we need’.
The music holds up to this, and everything you’d expect from toughguy/DIY/whatever hardcore bands is there; chunky bass, heavy beatdowns, double-time drums. All present and correct, and all played with the sincerity that bands like this need. As forward as it is, with all it’s gang vocals and openly with us/against us lyrics, at no point is it feeling forced, and you get a real feeling that they’re not just in this for fun (something they’re definitely having, mind, every track is near-textbook throw yourself around and party while hurting each other hardcore), but they’re in this because they need it, to get out of whatever grey part of Britain they may be from.
For anyone into TRC, the last Trash Talk album or old-schoolers like Madball & Terror, or if you just like an excuse to swing your limbs madly at a gig, get on this.
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