Review Summary: A superbly atmospheric album, combining discordant noise, beautiful melodies and intelligent lyrics to come up with a unique sounding post-hardcore album.
'Transmit Disrupt' is the second album from British band Hell Is For Heroes (there is now a third), following on from their debut, 'The Neon Handshake'. It has the same agressive edge that characterised the band but now this anger is turned upon the music industry, fuelled by the acrimonious split between HIFH and their former record label EMI. Lead singer Justin Schlosberg rants at conformity, corporations and other such familiar themes. In many ways Transmit Disrupt sounds a bit like a concept album about the evils of society but it has a lot of depth as well.
While some of the lyrics may sound like typical punk musings on the evil of corporations and the need to fight the system the sound is bit different. Hell Is For Heroes have always been hard to classify into a genre, mixing some of the discordant sounds of Fugazi with more contemporary post-hardcore melodies and the lead singer's unique vocals. Transmit Disrupt also has a different sound from 'The Neon Handshake', discarding the latter's explosive guitar and screamed vocals for a more atmospheric, claustrophobic atmosphere. Songs like 'Folded Paper Figures' and the first single 'One Of Us' show HIFH's talent for loud, agressive songs backed up by distorted waves of guitar and shouted vocals. The lyrics of the two songs also show their penchant for interesting lyrics as Schlosberg belts out 'Did you question your allegiance, did you question the code?/Did you find out too late that you can't escape the flow?' at the start of 'Folded Paper Figures' while the chanted 'to guard against the animals/a shelter from the avalanche' at the end of 'One of Us' shows a slightly despondent edge that pops up throughout the album.
'Transmit Disrupt' is a bit more on the experimental side than HIFH's debut and some interesting parts pop up throughout the album. In the opener 'Kamichi' a choir is used and as the choir sings 'raising the first alarm/this is a warning sound' it's genuinely eerie, especially followed by the static immediately afterwards. 'Silent As The Grave' meanwhile sees Schlosberg barking out three word lines throughout the song and keeping up the terse atmosphere. 'They Will Call Us Savages' uses similar repetition to create a dark mood as it repeats 'the weak can't survive' at the end. The title track ends in two minutes of discordant noise and yelling which actually works quite well. Final track 'Burning Layafette' finishes the preceding attack of agression ('corrupt officials craving power/organised controlled disorder') with an honestly beautiful three minutes of soft instrumental sound that finishes off the album absolutely perfectly.
Unfortunately some of the experiments simply don't work. There are two intermissions of static noise that presumably are meant to punctuate the concept idea but they end up just being irritating distractions from great songs. There's also a few moments where it sounds like a song has been building up but never really explodes into life, notably on 'Models For The Programme' where you keep expecting some moment to make you really get into it but in never comes.
However despite these minor flaws Transmit Disrupt is a truly superb album. The lyrics are intelligent and while they may tread familar ground they do it in a stylish and consistent way. While some may be disappointed at the lack of classic riffs the claustrophobic atmosphere is excellently crafted, the distorted guitar and pinpoint melodies transporting you into HIFH's slightly despondent but deep world of shadowy corporations and rebellion. And most importantly it sounds unique and complex without being (too much) up its own arse or unapproachable.
