In the 90s and 00s the burgeoning “metalcore” scene was so full of top-quality bands that it was impossible to keep on top of things, especially if you were focused on a wider range of genres. And so – to my shame – I have been blissfully unaware of the power of The Hope Conspiracy for the last couple of decades, despite having been a fan of the band Bars that several members of Hope Con were involved in.

I am surprised at how raw and direct these four songs are. It hits hard and straight, taking the brutality of Cursed or Coliseum with a big nod to Swedish d-beat. As if to confirm that, the record closes with a cover of the Anti Cimex crusher Warpig. Time to peel back the layers of the Hope Con discography and discover what else I have been missing out on… Tom Chapman