Drain - Living Proof

Drain is young, not dumb, but full of a shit ton of BLECH! Holy shit, are these guys taking the world by storm with Living Proof. Mostly #hardcore, but also another part #crossoverthrash, these Santa Cruz destroyers are here to stay.
Sammy Ciaramitaro is the coal that fuels this steamrolling battleship! Run Your Luck is a thick intro that musically reminds me of Sam Black Church. There is classic hardcore elements that occasionally shine the light on thrashy guitar howls. Ciaramitaro spits sincere venom before a massive breakdown that skins your scrotum. Heavy as balls!
Devil’s Itch is the best track. Thundering riffs and cowbell give way to a bruising bridge that will leave pit goers exhausted. The steady assault is a lesson in being unforgiving with riffing brutality! The devil’s itch is clawed raw with this track!
“I’m better then you motherfucker” is confident and bodacious statement on Watch You Burn. Musically nothing like Pantera’s Walk, but has a similar swagger!
Hardcore is at times repetitive. Not these fuckers. Drain is a deep and thoughtful breath of fresh hair. They take chances with songs like the punky Good Good Things! See Intermission for a hip hop interlude. Creativity and taking chances is what hardcore needs to evolve. Drain is the band to represent today and into the future. Much respect!

7.5 out of 10. Love the tones!

-Derek