It is one thing to put together a memorable album, but to do so in the form of a split with multiple bands recording tracks for the album takes quite a vision. On many occasions, labelmates will end up putting out splits, or perhaps just friends in the scene. For END and Cult Leader, this match-up feels as natural as salt and pepper. In thirteen minutes (two songs per band), Gather & Mourn (Deathwish Inc/Closed Casket Activities) puts forth so much energy and aggression, no wonder only four tracks could fit.
END kicks off Gather & Mourn with an absolute bombshell titled ‘Eden Will Drown’. Those familiar with the New Jersey-based blackened hardcore group will recognize the signature sound but still be crushed by the breakdown that lurks at the end of the track. ‘The Host Will Soon Decay’ is the second of two tracks for END and this showcases the slower, brutish side of END. The grindcore influences do trickle out halfway through for a brief time before the sounds of elephants marching returns to finish the first half of the split.
Cult Leader starts off the second half with ‘Ataraxis’ which takes no time at all setting the tone. This track is the quickest at just under the two-minute mark but really keeps the intensity high as END started on their half. Finally, ‘Long Shadows’ closes out the split in style with further aggression, but features a metalcore bridge that will be sure to pull you back into the mid-2000s for a short while. As quickly as that appeared though, the crust punk returns and builds up the tension, but leaves us with a sense of melancholy as the track fades silently; as if the mourning has finally taken place.
It is not often I get overly excited for EPs, let alone a split unless the lineup is legendary. Gather & Mourn did just that in combining two of the hardcore punk world’s greatest acts of today in END and Cult Leader. Aggression meeting with the overall sense of dread and grief is an ever-interesting mix of emotions that works so well for both of these bands and was so well done when placed together in the same record.
Buy the EP here:https://dthw.sh/gatherandmourn
8 / 10
TIM LEDIN