“I despise the power structures, I’d do anything to erase it.”
The ongoing climate crisis has become a forefront topic on several records this year, including The Acacia Strain‘s dual records offering up a split narrative, hardcore units xNomadx and Xiao taking a direct charge at the topic on their respective records this year and Dying Wish intertwining it within their upcoming record. Broken Vow on their debut full-length not only add to their voice to the ever-growing demands for change, but have pieced together a record that emboldens them on Anthropocene.
The punchy kick on the drums removes any inattention as Anthropocene opens on “Burning Throne“, it’s a short and impactful track that displays emotive, and almost in-your-face style that Broken Vow look to offer up. “Kingdom Dies” and “Evil Armies” are tracks that sit hand in hand, addressing the oppressive systems at hand that must be attacked while they become sacred to many. Blended in with juicy 90s-style riffs and two-step beats, plus the good old moments of fist-throwing. It’s one that will please both those looking for some nuance and those looking to throw down to.
As “Function” yells out, “I hate this fucking world, I’d doing anything to change it“, is where the emotiveness of Anthropocene strikes in full. Contending with the conclusion of seeing a fallen world, while also believing in its redemption. A heavy-hitting breakdown layered with lyrics “This can can no longer function, enjoy your destruction” enters, followed by mournful guitars that close the track do a saddening reminder of what may be to come.
The heart of Anthropocene continues on “1.5“, which touches on the destruction of the natural world by those who wish to develop it. As the spoken word explaining track bridges the track into the breakdown, the yell of “This is what we deserve” has a pertinence to it. “Propaganda Of The Dead” sees a ruthless feature from Jess Nyx, the extended feature is welcome and it leads into what is the hardest breakdown of the record that will likely put a few noses out of place.
All this continues on tracks “Shift Tactics” and “Reversal“, and takes an almost war march force of the destruction against the current inability and ignorance around humanity’s encroachment upon the natural world. All this closes out “No More Air“, which takes a more personal approach as vocalist Harte screams “I know you weep for me, but my hope is gone“. While the vocal feature here does seem slightly off key when its being layered over a spoken word moment, it has an element of adding to the humanity of Anthropocene.
What Broken Vow have put together here is more than commendable, as Anthropocene delves into the nihilism, pain but also the desperate hope that many feel. All this is complimented by two-step grooves, gnarly breakdowns and lyricisms that can be yelled back. What Broken Vow have produced is a record of importance but also humanity, and one that will find heart with many.
8/10
Anthropocene is out September 29th via Triple B Records, and can be pre-ordered here.