Inmates Role of God LP
INMATES from Cleveland need no introduction; they’ve been at it on and off since 1994 and continue to this day with their original lineup. You can hear the cohesion they have as a group on their new LP Role of God, an intensely angry record that has a slew of influences ranging from NYHC venom to soaring Burning Spirits instrumentation. Lead vocalist Paulito’s delivery sometimes slithers and sometimes stomps but always hates—I’ve never felt so accosted by a recording in my life. Tracks like “Role of God” and standout “Fuck Your Fucking Skull” go straight for the jugular lyrically while the band powerfully flexes their metallic side. “Funsucka” and follow-up “I Never Questioned” in particular boast searing guitar work and killer riffs that really take these songs beyond usual hardcore fare. I should add there is precisely one softer moment to be heard here: the song “Doin Time” is a surprisingly tender ode to a friend who has passed, and adds a certain amount of charm to the otherwise caustic proceedings. All said, this is top-tier hardcore for those with particularly thick skin. Highly recommended.