Solemn Judgement – "Spineless" Track Premier

Anger is perhaps the most taboo emotion. You’re allowed to be happy, people welcome it. You’re allowed to be sad, people understand that. You’re allowed to be fearful, some people prey on that. But those feelings are all internal. Anger? That’s an outward-facing emotion, and most people shy away from it for that very reason. Anger is destructive, it’s unthinking, it’s ugly… but that makes it all the more vital to get out.

As a result of where anger sits in our emotional landscape, hardcore is one of the most cathartic genres of music. Sure, listening to Elliot Smith when you’re sad scratches a certain itch, but there’s nothing more emotionally-satisfying than listening to some punchy guitars and screamed vocals when you need to vent. It’s the musical embodiment of one of the most dangerous and frowned-upon emotions in our society, and that makes it one of the most important. 

Solemn Judgement is a hardcore band based out of Detroit formed from the ashes of half a dozen different Michigan groups. They’re still in that exciting early stage of a band where they’re frequently putting out singles and EPs, each release providing fans with a slight update on the group’s ever-shifting sound. While Solemn Judgement’s EP from earlier this year ranged from familial spite to self-destructive hatred, their newest track “Spineless” is more of a faceless rage directed outward at any and all oppressors. 

The song begins with a metallic guitar in the left channel that’s soon followed by a distant scream and a series of fast-paced cymbal taps that set the pace for the coming bombardment. From there, the rest of the band launches into a low and slow riff designed to pummel listeners into oblivion. This leads to a fast-paced pit-opening instrumental where the thumping bassline, gnashing guitar, and snappy snare hits synch up, making way for Marissa Ward’s vehement vocals. 

Midway through the song, there’s an instrumental dropout that clears the path for each word to land like a punch to the gut. The lyrics are pure bile; absolute anger spewed out that the listener can easily channel their rage into. Ward yells “you’re scared senseless to face your vices / you’ll judge those for using their voices,” and you begin to get the sense that these were words that couldn’t be held in any longer.

With “Spineless” Solemn Judgement aren’t just airing their own grievances, they’re also providing an outlet for each and every one of their listeners to project their frustrations onto. And that is why hardcore will always be irreplaceable. 

Catch Solemn Judgement on the road this winter:

11/15 in Cincinnati @ Bitter Taste Fest
11/18 in Detroit @ Sanctuary
12/5 in Kalamazoo @ Greenhouse
12/6 in Chicago @ Empty Bliss
12/7 in Detroit @ Trumbullplex
12/8 in Akron @ Hive Mind