HOLDER – “Ruin The Best Of Me” 7″

The screamo five piece born of the West Massachusetts hardcore scene. Following-up their self-titled 12″ of 2024 with two new tracks of highly combustible modern, post-skramz that borrows heavily from the past: a step back in time to  late-’90s and early-’00s screamy post hardcore – like a tasty, slightly-under-the-radar 7″ EP released by Hydra Head or Second Nature circa 1997 (to put it another way: bands dosed-up on Threadbare). Discordant, passionate, almost metalcore-heavy, and slightly falling over itself with exuberant teen energy. A surprising release for Daze Records (usually on the heavier end of the hardcore spectrum), but a welcome one, for sure.  Slap their arse, I’m fully behind this one, baby.