Decoy – Re:Selection
Release Date: 12th January 2024
Decoy are a hardcore band from Louisiana that have brought their latest release Re:Selection into the world in a display of ferocious and unrelenting songwriting that demands the attention of a number of audiences in heavy music. With the line between hardcore and metalcore now more blurred than ever, it is hard to tell where some bands fit into the complex world of genre and subgenre. This release, similar to the recent Knocked Loose album, really pushes the boundaries and expectations of a hardcore band.
Starting off with ‘Personality Program’, the 5 piece outfit unleash a barrage of destructive riffs, 2-step beats, dissonant breakdowns and astoundingly aggressive vocals. The vocals in particular grab the listener’s attention, reminiscent of some of the more raw and unhinged releases of the early to mid 2000s whilst also holding the same character as UK metalcore stars Malevolence. To match this visceral approach we can hear production that is modern enough to make the EP enjoyable, but capture a sense of danger across all the elements in these chaotic and relentless tracks.
At a run time of just over 10 minutes, this release certainly doesn’t overstay its welcome. In fact, it stays around just long enough to get in your face, make its point, and leave the listener wanting more. It’s easy to imagine walls of death and flying limbs at live shows across the states. This band and this release have achieved a balance in their sound that makes it appealing to a number of audiences from various heavy music scenes, something that not many bands seem to be able to do as successfully or stylishly as this. Decoy are one to watch in the years to come.
For fans of: Knocked Loose, Malevolence, Sabella
Overall Score: 7/10