Review Summary: It's the motherfucking hell, you dick.
The Hell is a hard band to hate, although they certainly read like an easy one. Allegedly a side project formed by members of TRC, Lower Than Atlantis, Gallows, and other bands associated with the British hardcore movement, they are an anonymous supergroup that performs clad in bandannas, sunglasses, and other gangster paraphernalia. If the idea of a band going around the UK performing shows without releasing their identities has you interested, then I've probably already sold you - the idea of The Hell is about half of their appeal. The other half comes from the ridiculously heavy guitars and cheesy lyrics straight out of a mid 90s gangsta rap "diss" song. On paper, this sounds like it would be absolutely horrible, but in practice it's impossible not to headbang to the utter nonsense that's coming out of your speakers. You're Listening To The Hell is the biggest testament to the fact that music doesn't necessarily have to be great to be fun, and manages to almost be called great in the process.
Much like KMFDM, almost every song on the album talks about the band in some way, and have much more in common with the aforementioned gangsta rap then anything typical of hardcore. They do this combo much better than bands like Attila, because the rap elements are allowed to come naturally and aren't forced with any dumb, cliché additions like turntable scratches or transitions into legitimate rap sections. The lyrics are full of cringe-worthy nuggets like "Every day you post the same old ***/You're a ***ing joke, now ***ing quit" that by all accounts should immediately flag a band as awful, but for some reason just make me sit there grinning like an asshole. It takes a band with true talent to pull this off, and The Hell has it in spades. The production really helps as well, as it brings the heavy to the forefront and keeps it there, while still keeping just about every note the insanely low tuned guitars are playing audible.
You're Listening To The Hell gives off the same awkward charm that old rap albums like Straight Outta Compton do, although it doesn't begin to approach the classic status that and similar albums hold. It does prove, however, that simple hardcore can still work if pulled off right, and that sometimes it's ok to get off your musical high horse and throw down in the pits with the rest of the world. The Hell might one day release something truly great, or they might fade away into the shadow of their more famous parent bands, but for what they are right now, they're worth checking out if you like stupid, in-your-face hardcore done right.
