Underneath
Nothing Here is Held Sacred


5.0
classic

Review

by Tyler White STAFF
February 2nd, 2023 | 83 replies


Release Date: 01/20/2023 | Tracklist

Review Summary: The chaos of sound

Nothing Here Is Held Sacred is nothing but pure aggression. Despite being Underneath’s debut, the EP shows no flaws as it dives deep into a cacophony full of monstrous riffs, abrasive screams, and unrelenting grooves. “Caesarean Section” and the title track waste no time opening up the project, utilizing dissonance and chugging rhythms that mix hardcore with death metal perfectly. Highlight “Those That Cheweth Not the Cud” taps into the group’s versatility as it progresses from high-intensity, fast-paced drum chops into constantly shifting tempos of breakdown grooves as it gives way to an immersive moment of melody with beautiful atmosphere layered by black metal-esque tremelo and screeches that create an intense ambiance. However, this brief moment of near-tranquility is abruptly contrasted by the blistering dissonance of “Eating Bugs” as it crafts an eerie aura with its off-kilter guitar leads and technical riffing that insinuates a sense of urgency and chaos. The final two tracks of the EP elect to take a more structured approach, digging deeper into the project’s heavier aspects while also taking the time to develop sections with more melodic progressions and captivating drum rhythms that guide the tracks along.

Underneath’s debut doesn’t even feel like a debut to say the least. Nothing Here Is Held Sacred is so well crafted and seamlessly written that it feels like the work of veterans. The project executes the heavy aggression of hardcore and the tremelo melodies of death and black metal mixed with sections of beautiful atmosphere in a practically perfect manner. Whether it’s the pure chaos embodied within “Eating Bugs” or the explosive progression of “Those That Cheweth Not the Cud,” Underneath’s performance is nothing short of perfect for the genre. It may sound hyperbolic, but Nothing Here Is Held Sacred captures the very essence of this wall-of sound-style of hardcore.



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Comments:Add a Comment 
tyman128
Staff Reviewer
February 2nd 2023


4500 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

And we're back!

Been a minute since I've reviewed, but I felt like this desperately needed a review. Found it about a week ago and it still hasn't left my rotation yet! Already calling this EPOTY for me because I love jumping on hype trains early on in the year

Purpl3Spartan
February 2nd 2023


8518 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Sounds dope will check nice writeup

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
February 2nd 2023


4500 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Thanks brotha, hope you enjoy m/

SteakByrnes
February 2nd 2023


29727 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Let's fucking go dude, righteous review for a righteous EP. This is truly a heavy hitter and it's stuck with me hard since I jammed it

Manatea
Staff Reviewer
February 2nd 2023


1921 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Review is sick. Checking this in the morningggggg.

Gnocchi
Staff Reviewer
February 2nd 2023


18256 Comments


Damn, we’re 5ing shit now? Gonna check it

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
February 2nd 2023


4500 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

You know me, always 5ing stuff

Manatea
Staff Reviewer
February 2nd 2023


1921 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Well…..

This is certainly one way to jolt me awake in the morning.

Not sure if the vocals are entirely my cup but overall this awesome

Manatea
Staff Reviewer
February 2nd 2023


1921 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

On second thought I take it back. Vocals are perfectly acceptable

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
February 2nd 2023


4500 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Love seeing that second thought

MantisTobogganMD
February 2nd 2023


122 Comments


Will have to check this out.

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
February 2nd 2023


4500 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Give it a shot for sure! It's worth a quick listen through

Eyes4you
February 2nd 2023


15 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

This EP does scratch the END vibes. Eating Bugs is solid track with good hooks. I do see myself spinning this a bit more but I am not so sure if I will remember this towards the end of the year. Solid nonetheless.

TheTripP
February 2nd 2023


4495 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Holy shit where did this come from? Every song was killer... I really enjoyed the overall sound including the vocals as well, instant buy and easily repeatable

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
February 2nd 2023


4500 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Definitely repeatable, still can't stop listening to it

kevbogz
February 2nd 2023


6087 Comments


this reads and sounds like some of the most basic entry level deathcore ima be honest


MoM
February 2nd 2023


5994 Comments


This scratches the itch! And i dig the short runtime.

Also, good review

tyman128
Staff Reviewer
February 3rd 2023


4500 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Thank you thank you

MarsKid
Emeritus
February 3rd 2023


21030 Comments

Album Rating: 3.2

Pretty solid, was pleasantly surprised for the most part.

TheTripP
February 3rd 2023


4495 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

yeah I was going to say this scratches the perfect itch for it's sound to me. I may up my rating in time


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