CoC : Spine - Restoration : Review

Spine - _Restoration_
(Loudspeaker Records, 2002)
by: Xander Hoose (7 out of 10)

One of the promising bands in the UKHC scene, Spine has been formed relatively recently in the year 1998. Having released only an EP (_Hope Versus Realisation_) and a split with Primate, _Restoration_ is their debut full-length and perhaps a major introduction to a wide audience. While Spine is fully devoted to hardcore, an undeniable influence of metal can be found tightly embedded in the songs; but instead of using metal as a style element and mixing it with hardcore to create pure aggression, Spine hasn't forgotten that there's more than that to a song. The final ingredient for _Restoration_ is melody, and together it forms the basis for ten excellent songs showing a maturing band that has many different faces but always their own identity. With songs reminiscent of Deadguy ("Under the Fury") as well as Madball and even Henry Rollins ("Wash"), they have proven to be capable enough of expressing their feelings in music. Unfortunately, the vocals are too prominent in the mix considering their one-dimensional nature. If the vocals were a little less forced, _Restoration_ would be a true killer hardcore album, but that doesn't withhold me from recommending this album to the hardcore fanatics.

(article published 1/9/2002)