Review Summary: Bold words I know, but this is the best hardcore record this year.
Take heed hardcore kids, for this is how it's done. Despite stellar releases from scene veterans (Converge), brash young upstarts (Code Orange Kids), angry experimentalists (The Chariot) and sainted flag bearers (Trash Talk) this young, relatively unknown French trio may have just released the hardcore punk record of the year. Yes, You, Me And The Violence really is that good. Tight, relentless and restless, not a second is spared nor wasted here. Tracks avoid traditional composition, preferring to twist and turn and unexpected tempo changes are carefully placed to both emphasise, and offer brief respite from, the desperate rage Birds In Row continuously channel.
Sonically it sounds great; the bass is thick and prominent, the drumming is varied and Hirigoyen's vocals are nigh on perfect for the genre; mid-range, throaty, raw, yet still discernible. Opener 'Pilori' rushes headlong into noisy oblivion before a melodic riff reigns it in, 'Last Last Chance' is a down-trodden, bluesy jaunt highlighting vocalist Hirigoyen's haunted howl and the grind influenced 'The Illusionist' takes the record to new levels of intensity and fury. There's not a weak track present here. You, Me And The Violence is diverse, yet remains a composite and seamless whole bursting with passion and promise. A staggering accomplishment for such a young band.
