Southern Lord hasn't only established itself as something of a seal of quality, a go-to label for music that's consistent within its selected range, but also serves as a guarantee of music that's punishingly ferocious. In some respects, in its leaning toward gritty, heavy-as-hell angry metal from the spiky, grimy, crusty end of the spectrum, Southern Lord now occupies the space that was Earache's in the late 80s and early 90s.
So, predictably – by which I suppose I really mean reliably – 'Manifest Decimation', the debut album by Power Trip, hits like a battering ram. Heads-down hardcore riffage that's thrashy and hard-edged, sharp enough the take the top off your head. While the bulk of the tracks here are whirlwind sonic assaults, in terms of tempo if not duration, it's not all about pace, and Power Trip show they're smart in being able to slow things down to equal if not heightened impact.
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