Review Summary: Long Island hardcore upstarts Sanction show no mercy on their latest EP.
It would be impossible to discuss Sanction without mentioning the myriad of metalcore titans they draw influence from (Martyr AD being the most obvious, as this EP’s tracklist is divided into “fractions”). New York’s Sanction is certainly a band that wears its influences on its sleeve, but that doesn’t detract from what
The Infringement of God’s Plan has to offer. What sets these songs apart from Sanction’s contemporaries in the midst of yet another renaissance for metalcore is the confidence, personality, and quite frankly,
skill they bring to the table. With their latest EP, it is apparent that Sanction isn’t playing around: they are hungry.
That much is clear from the beginning of “Fixated Upon a Figure” where a quick drum roll is met with burly chugs and vocalist David Blom’s earth-rattling growls. His vocals shine throughout the EP on songs like “Sixhundredthirtyone” and on the title track as he bellows “I show no mercy.”
The Infringement of God’s Plan is not merely a showcase of brutality; however, as the first complete song “The Prophet Who Saw Fire” channels melodic riffage a la 7 Angels 7 Plagues. Razor-sharp buzzsaw guitars and chilling horror movie samples punctuate bruising breakdowns throughout, and neither feels out of place or forced. Sanction isn’t necessarily reinventing the wheel here, but they confidently do their influences justice while showing glimpses of their own flair and promise.
