NOi!SE
Fate of the Union
*** out of *****
The Tacoma, WA based street punk outfit NOi!SE deliver a hard hitting offering, Fate of the Union that screams against the current state of American affairs, calling for unity. The first full length release from the band in ten years arrives at the perfect time.
The group went through major lineup changes in that time and now are, Matt Henson (vocals), Kenny Dirkes (guitar), Jesse O'Donnell (guitar), Aaron Williams (bass), and Mike Parker (drums). While original members may have departed the two guitar punk attack stays intact with clean production, with every song having at least one shout along part to get the pit riled up and piling on.
Like most successful punk acts the best results are found when the band keeps things shorter. The burning title track is frantic, escalating up and down fret boards while "Ever Afraid" finds excellent bass lines mixing with strong guitar work and galloping drums to deliver an album highlight. The raw "Blinded By Hatred" is also effective as a thundering shot of hardcore, it crushes with intensity and passionate vocals.
At times things can go on a bit long, "Mindful Confinement" starts off grand but dulls as it runs on and "This Isn't Home" uses an odd production on the fade out. However, for the most part the album succeeds, such as on the screeching "You Verses You" and the shout along album opener "Vast Contrast" which deals directly with modern day polarization.
Henson not only sings about modern divided beliefs, but also sobriety as he has been sober for a few years now. The shouts to help with the struggle and realizing we are all in this world together pushes efforts like "Strength In Numbers" which uses a few strong guitar solos.
The album closes with the dynamic "Idle Action", touching on ska and west coast punk via bright production and a grander sense of arena rock just on the edges as NOi!SE mixes up styles successfully to close out their confident return, Fate of the Union.
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