Morde Morde 12″
Damn, this is an epic one, or rather an epic ride through time, back to the ’00s when skinny black jeans were a compulsory item to get into gigs. MORDE is a new band from Czechia formed by members of BAESTIEN, a rather well-respected neo-crusty post-hardcore act. However, where BAESTIEN relied on atmospheric parts to create their soundscapes, MORDE gets straight to the point with a heavy Scandi D-beat crust basis without giving up on the epic, and sometimes overwhelming, melodic leads. So yeah, basically metallic neo-crust. Fans of ACURSED, the DAGDA, EKKAIA, or early FALL OF EFRAFA will rejoice, and so will lovers of early WOLFBRIGADE. There is no doubt that it is a well-executed effort with a dark and heavy sound and a Swedish-styled production (were it not for the Czech language, I would have thought that they were from Scandinavia), but I can’t really get into this one, as I usually don’t open the boxes MORDE are bent on ticking on this first LP. Just too much of an ’00s vibe, I guess?