In Evil Hour review

Stating that their drive comes from a disdain for the apathy and ignorance that pervades modern culture, In Evil Hour draw inspiration from hardcore and produce their own politically charged blend of punk rock, straight out of Darlington (UK). With influences spanning the punk spectrum from AFI through to The Stooges, and Bad Religion through to NOFX, In Evil Hour are now primed with their latest offering, The World Bleeds Out, released through STP Records and out there now ready to be seen. Originating from the North East of England, In Evil Hour aren’t your stereotypical punk rock band, striving to push their boundaries and to use their influences to develop their sound, resulting in something that’s certainly billed as a record to make sure we sit up and pay attention to. Sure enough as Divide And Conquer kicks in there’s a combination of hard hitting punk rock with hardcore blasting forth, immediately setting the tone for the album and showing that In Evil Hour have got a definite message to share with the world. Fast paced, gravelly and raw in its sound, the opening moments of The World Bleeds Out demonstrate a dedication to ‘real’ music, the sort of thing that’s going to ignite pits, get crowds moving and leave you helpless to resist. Far From Home continues this approach, leaning more towards the punk side of the spectrum whilst still managing to demonstrate the various influences which fuel the band, bending the rules of punk enough to create a sound that’s unique, hard hitting, and powerful enough to satisfy the heaviest of urges. Other stand out points on the record include the chaotic yet insanely satisfying Little Death – a track that’s sure to keep you going back for more, the bass heavy The Terminal – a track that’s packed with hooks and moments that will get you reaching for that once loved guitar sitting in the corner of the room, and the closing moments of Murder Murder – closing the album on a high and leaving an indemnible mark on your mind, firmly stamped with the words In Evil Hour. With an album packed with tracks that hark back to the glory days of punk, yet somehow manage to sound updated and fresh, there’s no doubting that there’s a place for In Evil Hour on the current scene, and with The World Bleeds Out they might just be about to break through to bigger and better things. Regardless of what lies ahead, it’s excellent to hear a band producing music that’s meaningful and honest, something which certainly sets them apart from the crowd. Rating: 8/10 -Dave Nicholls