Discontent – Poised For Human Emergence

Streets Of Hate

There are few things I love more after waking up on a Monday, slamming a Pac-Man G-Fuel, doing a bunch of bullshit work from home, and getting to the gym than finding a new death metal EP to get me through the rest of the week. Live from New York, it’s Discontent.

The self-proclaimed “Northeazt Metal” band is a bit mysterious, with only a few releases under their belt so far and sporadic live appearances, but they appear to be in the orbit of the new breed of hardcore and metal crossover acts like Crush Your Soul, Final Resting Place, and Simulakra. Poised For Human Emergence is their third outing on the Streets Of Hate label, and it is an instant headbang trigger from the second it begins.

”Human Emergence” is largely a mid-pace, chugging metal-hardcore hybrid that employs some absolutely nasty death growls in the background. After the breakdown in the middle, the track takes an interesting turn into a more melodic instrumental passage, but it doesn’t stop the aggression of the lead vocals. The twin guitar leads and prominent bassline beneath give this section of the song a real mid-2000s metal throwback feel, something that wouldn’t have felt out of place on a classic Lamb Of God or Shadows Fall record.

”Time Consumes” picks up the tempo but still stays firmly grounded in spinkick territory. The way Discontent puts together each song by carefully sequencing the mosh parts one after another makes their take on this sound several cuts above most bands you may come across at any local show in your town. They tie these two core tracks together with “Engrossed In Spectral,” 90 seconds of murky electronics and samples that add to their overall mystique. Poised For Human Emergence gets you in and out of the pit without an ounce of wasted energy, all in eight and a half minutes.