INCH SCRAPER: HARDCORE 7″ REVIEWS OF BITTERNESS EXHUMED, NOOSE, AND POWER TRIP

I’ve been on a vegetarian kick for the past few weeks, eschewing cheeseburgers in favor of greens and healthier proteins. I don’t know whether or not I’m more irritable as a result, but I can relate more to vegan straight-edge act Noose. Following on last year’s demo, The War Of All Against All (React!) drops dogma like a cluster bomb. The lyrics to cuts like “Lex Talionis” depict a misanthropic worldview in which veganism is the only solution. I miss cheeseburgers.

People I trust tell me I’m supposed to give a shit about Dallas’ Power Trip. After checking out this self-titled 7″ (Lockin’ Out), I’m starting to catch on. Unafraid to hitch their wagon to the outdated crossover label, the band bring some wicked thrash back to the core. Far from the didactic leanings of purist re-thrashers, “Divine Apprehension” and the taut “Suffer No Fool” feel vital and liberated. The addition of “Brainwaves,” a Prong cover, reveals a crucial influence without strictly mimicking it.

“I’m having fingernails for breakfast.” With that, German unintentional comedy troupe Bitterness Exhumed stumble hard and hilariously out the gate on their eponymous debut (Wooaaargh). Sure, it’s easy to poke fun at lyrics not written in one’s native tongue, but the thesaurus-dependent word jumble of “Thoughts Of Denial” is as egregious as it is hackneyed. Musically, the quintet fare slightly better, with serviceable deathcore for those few who haven’t moved on yet.

-GS