NO MAN
ERASE


4.0
excellent

Review

by Mitch Worden EMERITUS
September 1st, 2020 | 109 replies


Release Date: 2020 | Tracklist

Review Summary: Old kids on the block with new tricks.

There are a few different ways to open an album:

1. Ease the listener in with a gradual buildup—a hill going up on a rollercoaster.
2. Immerse the audience in a thick atmosphere by utilizing atmospheric elements or pure ambiance.
3. F*ck it, let’s just start playing music.

Sure, the Washington, D.C. collective NO MAN spends 30 seconds quietly strumming a handful of notes, playing like they’re in a library. Once the percussion barges through and “Dive” suddenly sprints off, it’s time to go crazy; the brief 22-minute runtime of Erase is now underway, and it doesn’t lose any energy from here on out.

What the band has presented here is a fast-paced listening experience that cares less about constructing a mood and more about creating a frantic mosh party. Plenty of artists have ignored that potential aspect of songwriting in favor of going straight for the jugular, and in this case, NO MAN excel at their craft. Spearheaded by the vicious screams of Maha Shami, the ensuing journey forcibly drags the listener through headbanging-inducing, crushing riffs, and devastating breakdowns. As straightforward as the group’s approach is for the most part—everything is being thrown straight at the audience, no holding back—there remains a thrilling level of unpredictability that places these tracks a level above peers. For one instance, there’s the sudden collapse of “SOS,” wherein the addicting central guitar passage and adrenaline-pumping groove are promptly deconstructed halfway through, the speediness of the tune dragged to a halt as the full weight of NO MAN’s sound is pushed to the limit. No hint is provided that such a moment is bound to occur; the quartet cleverly withhold their full hand, demonstrating a care for compositional awareness not often witnessed in the genre. This same tactic is replicated in the desperate “Shots Fired.” Spurred by the furious drum kit, the creation progresses full-throttle through its passionate refrain, only to be destroyed, laid to waste by a chilling tempo stoppage. Similar curveballs are tossed into the mix in the form of “Secret,” which features an ominous crescendo urged forth by the rhythm section, a shaker coloring the background of the song. After the formation hits its stride, the bouncy riff that emerges turns into a veritable earworm, the distinct snarl of the bass acting as its robust foundation. Enough variation is supplied to make the disc enjoyably diverse, inserting gradual numbers alongside uncompromising hardcore jams.

When NO MAN does decide to let loose and forego additional flair, they’re more than capable of dishing out intense rockers. The sub-two-minute “Tune In” thrives off of a hefty bass performance, Shami’s impressive harsh vocals vehemently striking out as guitars wail in the distance. One must also reckon with the titanic energy of closer “Pray,” whose relentless momentum reaches a threatening height as the instruments and screams rise in volume, the rapid nature of the tune and its deadly riff pummeling the listener into submission. It’s undeniable that the contents of Erase deliver for those wishing for a ferocious assault. Though not outwardly displaying technical skill, the dark, overbearing sound emitted by the group fills the same hardcore niche as Majority Rule once did; go figure that it is Majority Rule in terms of the included members, with vocalist Shami being the lone exception (though she collaborated with them before!). That lack of more intrepid numbers is admittedly a bit of a loss, as there could be more adventurous decisions made outside of the choice cuts aforementioned, especially in the context of Majority Rule’s impact on the underground scene. Despite that looming influence, there’s a definite sense of this new disc being a different beast in execution. Concern is focused on direct attacks without ever dipping too far outside of the former group’s box. It is a transitory, unclean, unremitting barrage, with the production given just enough clarity and dirtiness so as to highlight all contributors, while simultaneously maintaining a raw aesthetic. Whatever melodies do appear are damned to the darkness from which they came—the same stunning aggression that made Jungbluth’s Part Ache such a resonating experience. Being able to recapture that beauty is certainly a win for the D.C. gang, and if Erase is any indication, they’re prepared to make their own mark on the genre.



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user ratings (39)
3.7
great

Comments:Add a Comment 
MarsKid
Emeritus
September 1st 2020


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Bang yer head, folks.



Stream it on bandcamp: https://nomanband.bandcamp.com/album/erase



Album also available on Spotify.



The usual, the unusual, the general, the specific, comments, and criticism all welcome.

botb
September 1st 2020


18537 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Hell yeah! I was gonna review this if no one else did. In the running for hc AOTY for me. Absolutely awesome.

MarsKid
Emeritus
September 1st 2020


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Found this randomly going through bandcamp. No idea this is essentially the spiritual successor to Majority Rule, I definitely think anyone that appreciates that sound has to jump on board this one. Vocalist is pretty crazy.

botb
September 1st 2020


18537 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Yeah, it’s all 3 members of Majority Rule with Maha on vocals. Maha also did guest vocals on a Majority Rule song on the pg99 split back in the day. It’s pretty apparent when you get to the more post-hardcore eerie ambient parts in dive, cut out, and pray that those have similar vibes to MR’s discog but that’s about where the comparisons stop.



This is such a cool record to me because while it’s very straightforward in its riff composition, the bass and drums really approach some of the parts that would otherwise be a bit stereotypical of the genre in this off-kilter rhythmic way. It really throws an interesting spin on their brand of hardcore/post hardcore.

SteakByrnes
September 1st 2020


30472 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Nice review marsbro, I'm gonna check this out soon :]

MarsKid
Emeritus
September 1st 2020


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

"This is such a cool record to me because while it’s very straightforward in its riff composition, the bass and drums really approach some of the parts that would otherwise be a bit stereotypical of the genre in this off-kilter rhythmic way. It really throws an interesting spin on their brand of hardcore/post hardcore."



Yeah, while I don't think the variation is as on point, they're definitely trying something new here. And it's in the box of Majority Rule, which is already a cut above typical hardcore albums.



Always a treat to hear the bass so clearly.



@Steak thank you good sir, hope you enjoy it!

BlushfulHippocrene
Staff Reviewer
September 1st 2020


4053 Comments


Wish I was into heavy music, you guys get some of the best album art, names, aesthetics...

botb
September 1st 2020


18537 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

What stops you from being into it, the vocals or just the overall abrasiveness?

BlushfulHippocrene
Staff Reviewer
September 1st 2020


4053 Comments


I'm actually not too sure. Generally it just doesn't stick or resonate with me. I listened to this and liked it quite a bit, but I don't think I'll ever feel the urge to listen again. I actually wonder whether people who love this kind of music are just better at appreciating instrumental performance/prowess. Anyway, that's a shallow observation, but--

MarsKid
Emeritus
September 1st 2020


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Everyone's got their preferences, no shame in that. Some things stick, some things just don't. Most genres that focus on electronic elements tend to bore me, but for others it's very exciting, that's just how it can get.

Slex
September 1st 2020


17335 Comments


Yeah this shit goes hard

MarsKid
Emeritus
September 1st 2020


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Hell yeah my man

MillionDead
September 1st 2020


5604 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yeah, I love how darkly melodic this is too. It's almost kinda crusty. Definitely feeling it.



Edit: Love the singer's scream. I get nice blackened vibes from it. A lot more nasal and raspy than I'd expect most hardcore vox to be, to good effect.

MarsKid
Emeritus
September 1st 2020


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

There are some subtleties below the surface that make this rather compelling. Glad you enjoyed it



And yeah, she's got some killer harsh vocals. Really fits the upfront aggression they're pushing at you.

botb
September 1st 2020


18537 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Yeah definitely has some HHIG vibes going on. It’s funny listening to their first full length from 2018 and feeling like Maha was the weak link and then listening to this and she’s one of my absolute favorite parts

MarsKid
Emeritus
September 1st 2020


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Not familiar with the debut, but she sounds on-point here. Kudos for improvement.

botb
September 1st 2020


18537 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

The debut is worth a listen if you like this, but this is definitely a step up

Uzumaki
September 1st 2020


4667 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Hmmmm.

Average.







I kid, I kid; I’ll have to give this a spin soon. Nice review!

MarsKid
Emeritus
September 1st 2020


21035 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Thanks bud, appreciate it

Scoot
September 1st 2020


22847 Comments


this is raw as fuck, i dig it



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