DEMONSTRATE - DEMONSTRATION 2024
Contributed by P-lou
I've been putting back on writing this review for a while now. Not that it's a very intricate or complicated release, I’ve just been having an awful time lately preventing me from doing anything really. That was until I decided to listen to this demo again after a period of time of feeling overwhelmed by the smallest tasks. I got back to it and it clicked, it did exactly what it was made to do.
"DEMONSTRATION" 2024 is tough love on tape. From the beginning, the demo starts with the line “be yourself, there’s nothing you can't do” delivered with such passion and anger, like a friend that gets pissed off and tired of seeing you wasting your full potential. This theme continues with the song “Speak up” with self affirmation lyrics over some of the best hardcore music I’ve heard in a while. I can safely say it is my favorite hardcore song of 2024. This release comes at a perfect time, along other DMU demos such as the NO IDOLS demo, where a certain fatigue of the current sound of popular hardcore music can be felt. It’s a return to the sources that still feel contemporary and I am here for it. This demo will make you want to mosh in your living room, dive from your dinner table and learn all the lyrics for when they inevitably get to play your town. Musically there’s not a dull moment. Heavily influenced by the 80’s NYHC sound reminiscent of the likes of STRAIGHT AHEAD not only sonically but also purposefully. Every song is powerful, straightforward and packed with raw emotions accentuated by a heavily distorted recording that makes it all blend perfectly. This might be my hardcore release of 2024. This is what a hardcore demo should sound like. I am taking notes and so should you.
Listen here: https://designatedmoshersunit.bandcamp.com/album/dmu-016-demonstrate-demonstration-2024
Tapes available on Designated Moshers Unit
Bloke_Whistler