FRIENDSHIP "Undercurrent"

FRIENDSHIP

“Undercurrent”

FRIENDSHIP sure hasn’t gotten any friendlier the second time around. I first encountered this ironically named Japanese unit with their record “Hatred” and that emerged as one of the most vile and negative records around. On “Undercurrent”, the bile certainly remains but it doesn’t pack quite the same punch as the first time. Things often work out that way, not only in music, but in life generally.

There are elements of death metal, sludge and pure noise here, but the overall impression this time is of extra brutal hardcore. Think of the band WEEKEND NACHOS and you’ll be close to FRIENDSHIP’s sound here. The songs are short, violent and distorted to the max. But while this kind of crush leaves an immediate impact, it wears off pretty quickly and the tracks are not particularly memorable.

I think FRIENDSHIP themselves are aware of this and they act strictly as a violent punch to the jaw to wake you up. Best track I would say is “Fiend”, where the death metal tendencies stand out a bit more. Pick this up is you’re in need of something quick and nasty.

SOUTHERN LORD

FRIENDSHIP