Review / 200 Words Or Less
Pressure
Beasts

Burn Bridges/High Fidelity (2006) Michael

Pressure – Beasts cover artwork
Pressure – Beasts — Burn Bridges/High Fidelity, 2006

So we normally stick to reviewing albums that have been released within the last six months, but sometimes we make exceptions. I don't know why we didn't cover Pressure's Beasts already, but we haven't. So I apologize. This LA outfit pretty much destroys all on this six-song 7". Over the course of the record the band unleashes an off kilter combination of hardcore, rock and roll, and dirge. I'd say the closes bands to there sound would be Cursed, Doomriders, and Holyghost. And then there is the closer, "M.F.C." - the song could have been a Clutch b-side. If abrasive and thundering hardcore is your thing, then anything from Pressure is a must own - and they've got several other recordings to pick up as well.

8.5 / 10Michael • July 6, 2008

Pressure – Beasts cover artwork
Pressure – Beasts — Burn Bridges/High Fidelity, 2006

Related features

Time and Pressure

One Question Interviews • May 11, 2019

Related news

SPB premiere: "Pressure Pad" by Folly Group

Posted in Videos on January 8, 2024

Pressure Cracks: "Cancel Couture"

Posted in MP3s on March 21, 2022

Pressure / Lewd Acts Split 7"

Posted in Records on June 5, 2009

Recently-posted album reviews

The Phase Problem

The Power Of Positive Thinking
Brassneck Records (2024)

I spent a good part of the late ‘90s annoyed at the abundance of Ramonescore. I’ll stand by my word: many of the bands of that era were carbon copies that didn’t bring anything new to the format. But time has passed and what was overdone is now a refreshing change of pace. For whatever reason, when I hear a … Read more

Totally Slow

The Darkness Intercepts
Refresh Records (2024)

I find Totally Slow a hard band to categorize. Their brand of melodic, hard punk is familiar and comforting -- rooted in ‘80s hardcore, ‘90s skatepunk, and post-something guitar-driven rock. The press release namedrops Dag Nasty and Hot Snakes, among others, which I think are good starting points. But while it’s familiar, it’s absolutely not a carbon copy. Like their forebearers, the songs … Read more

Steamachine

City of Death
Records Workshop (2023)

City Of Death is the third album from Polish noise makers Steamachine. Having dabbled in a few metal styles over their career, City Of Death has a heavy carnival influence to it which I have to say I really like. It's interesting just how much more sinister things sound when you pump eerie, jingly circus sounds amongst very dark, heavy, … Read more