“Watch your shadow.“
Big Laugh are the latest prospect to emerge from the American Midwest, alongside the likes of Negative Approach and No Regrets. Debuting in 2020 with their EP, Manic Revision, which launched them to performing alongside Spy, GEL, No Pressure and at Sound & Fury last year, Big Laugh came flying out of the gates. Songs “No Embrace” and “Pillars of Sand” took no prisoners with their frenzied sound. Now set to release their debut full-length, recording once again with producer Matt Russell at Altered States studio in Chicago, Big Laugh look to cement their place in America’s hardcore scene.
Once the crackle and whistling of radio static has emptied out of Consume Me‘s opening moments, it becomes quickly evident Big Laugh are intent on packing as much as possible into the record’s 19 minute run time. On early tracks “Abomination” and “Square One“, the bursts of the drums are on point and drive at the ear, seemingly influenced by a combination of ’80s punk rock and East Coast hardcore. Blending in with grooves, it sets a solid spine throughout Consume Me that holds all the way to entering its final straight with “Blowin’ Smoke“.
There is an emotion and fury to vocalist Drew‘s performance, a real blood, sweat and tears type which exemplifies hardcore’s energy and is perfect for a live setting. With closer “The Fall” seeing the vocals front and centre in a truly standout performance, and being Consume Me‘s longest track by over a minute, it’s one that closes the record out with a sense of exhausted catharsis. This, coupled with punk-style riffs that fully take over on brief track “Last Laugh“, creates an experience that is difficult not to be drawn into and move along to.
It is admirable that Big Laugh, with Consume Me, have put together a hardcore sound that isn’t immediately able to be pigeonholed. With each element and performance seemingly pulling on their own influence to create a contrasting and coherent sound, the record will no doubt lead Big Laugh to steadily grow in popularity over the coming years.
7/10
Consume Me is out February 10th via Revelations Records.