Review: Haggard Cat ‘The Pain That Orbits Life’
I’ve seen Nottingham’s Haggard Cat a few times live, most recently supporting Planet of Zeus, and two things always stand out – their seemingly boundless energy, but more importantly, how much fun they appear to have on stage. They play a fearless brand of hardcore punk that, for the unaware, hits you like a cannonball in the face, and there’s no let-up on their latest release.
The Pain That Orbits Life sees Matt Reynolds (guitar/vocals) and Tom Marsh (drums/backing vocals) embark on what they describe as ‘a journey of self-reflection and personal growth,’ a process that allowed them to take their time to work on their third full-length album.
There’s a mesmerising, more progressive sound that opens I Hate It Here before they settle down in that familiar raucous rhythm that they do so well. The industrial synths reverberate in the background and are a welcome presence, as they feature heavily across the new album. Soar has a hypnotic guitar riff alongside a fulsome and punchy snare sound, allowing the vocal screams to seep into your brain. You can hear the synths before a short moment of calm at the midway point, sensing the pressure rising from Marsh before they erupt once again.
a hypnotic guitar riff alongside a fulsome and punchy snare sound, allowing the vocal screams to seep into your brain…
They have a sweet, slow head-banging chuggy type riff during Halcyon as sonic flourishes dart all over the place, ahead of the full-on sneering punk rock attitude of Afterlove, which delivers another laser sharp infectious hook. The inclusion of synths has allowed the duo to expand their sound whilst still maintaining that core adrenaline-fuelled disposition, resulting in ‘an album that’s more evolved, more deeply personal’.
Apnoea is a perfect example with its myriad of noises clashing across the composition, leading perfectly into the rambunctious and uncompromising Nails. This style is still what they do best – a timely reminder full of piercing screams and brutal rhythms – before Suppressor leads you down a different path with an eerie mid-section that adds to the track’s storytelling.
I’m still impressed with how much of a racket these two can produce when they are let loose. With a hint of sparkle and reflection at the start of Landscapes, it’s an unfamiliar route they chose; however, it’s not long before they explode with more lively guitar riffs and hypnotic drums. Warpath sounds exactly how you would imagine it: direct, aggressive and not afraid to take down anyone who dares get in front of it. Zion brings up the rear with over ten minutes of ups and downs and explorative soundscapes that take you on a cosmic journey, proving that Haggard Cat have truly evolved.
Label: Church Road Records
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Matthew Williams
