On the band’s Facebook page, their entire bio is:
“PUNK ROCK FROM THE SOUTH EAST OF ENGLAND.
HUMAN.
ANGRY AT STUFF.”
As such, London’s Eat Dirt’s first full-length album is an awesome example of what a hardcore album should be. Having been a fan of their EPs, I was anticipating this album and it did not let me down in the slightest. At times melodic, but always hard and driving, this is the perfect music for those days when you need something to get you going – or just want to listen to some real, modern hardcore.
Death is Death opens with the one-minute “Make Peace” – a raging track that leaves you wanting more – and the album doesn’t let up from there. Commenting on the song, front man Ben Mills says: “Our song ‘Make Peace’ is about not allowing yourself to give up on growing and evolving as a person. It’s a rallying call to make a difference in your life and not stagnate, and become a bigot. Too many times people get stuck in their ways and won’t see the world from the other side of the coin. This song is about becoming the best version of yourself and not dying emotionally and intellectually.” I couldn’t have said it better.
The band largely writes songs about the current socio-political environment in the UK, but the themes are pretty universal and apply to what a lot of countries – including the United States – are going through right now. It’s a highly relatable album when there is so much going on in the world to be legitimately angry about.
The title track has a catchy, scream-along chorus that immediately gets into your head, and doesn’t let go. “The Beast” is a slower song that really works –a much more melodic hardcore sound. It’s awesome. “Come and See” has a similar feel – and both songs break up the album’s otherwise relentlessness. It even has a solo, but it absolutely works in the context of the song.
“Night Terrors” is probably my favorite song on Death is Death. With a melodic chorus to break up the screaming lead vocals, it’s just an all-around badass song about being afraid for your safety and refusing to let anyone tell you it’s just okay. Again, highly relatable.
Not a single song on the album goes over two and a half minutes – Eat Dirt are masters of the perfect bite of music to satisfy and simultaneously leave you ready for the next song. This is because every single song on the album is also a great song. Will this go down as one of my favorites of 2019? For sure. Will it be on heavy rotation in my house? It’s safe to say it will be.
Eat Dirt’s Death is Death is out June 3rd on Bearded Punk Records.
4/5 stars