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Straight from San Antonio, Texas, Bitter End packs a heavy punch with their debut LP entitled "Climate of Fear." After releasing their debut 7'' "Mind in Chains," off of Malfunction Records who has recently just merged with the high and mighty Deathwish Inc, Bitter End leave us with their stunning release "Climate of Fear." Coming off their mid-tempo assault displayed in "Mind in Chains," Bitter End blows everything out of the water and takes this record straight to the top that is already being nominated by the hardcore community as one of the best, if not the best records of the year. 

 

Bitter End play a heavy, pummeling breed of hardcore in the vein of NYHC acts such as: (Killing Time, Leeway, and Breakdown). Immediately the record starts off with news bites from some of the most damaging events that have not only hurt America in a huge way, but tragedies that have captivated our great nation. Bass and guitar tone in the background alongside the steady drum set up for the ultimate, devastating assault that leads directly into the smash opener "Climate of Fear." The opening line goes as follows, "Creating chaos that I can't escape, this climate of fear controlling my days, always checking my back affraid of whats to come, a slave to this mindset with troubled thoughts."

 

A mind numbing intro on the opening song of the record, Daniel Rosen sweet vocals, accentuats song after pummeling song, mastering pure chaos few bands past and present can only dream about playing. Climate of Fear, Nothing Remains, Phantoms and House of Denial are tracks which made a definite impact as I listened to the record. Phantoms delivers your ears with some gnarly, killer guitar work that leaves you breatheless and wanting more all at the same time. Continous flow of above average songs round out the rest of the release from "Climate of Fear" that was slated for a September 18th street date.

 

After all the buzz surrounding this release, I knew right away the hardcore community would be salavating for "Climate of Fear" to finally come out. I have heard bands like Bitter End a thousand times past and present with their NYHC sound. Bitter End play their style of in your face, tough, destructive hardcore but have it down to a tee. This being said, if hardcore is going to be generic or repetitive then it has to be good right? Bitter End is great not good. "Climate of Fear is a sweet piece of wax to add to the collection if you do not own it already. Right up your alley if your into sludgy thick guitar solos, pummeling intros and outros, and a steady diet of great vocals. Available through www.deathwishinc.com, www.sixfeetunderrecords.com, or www.revhq.com.

 

For Fans Of: Killing Time, Madball, Leeway, and Breakdown

Rating 8.5/10

 

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