EP Debut: ‘Year of The Wolf’ by Burden
‘Year Of The Wolf’ Cover Artwork. via Burden
Artist: Burden
Genre: Metallic Hardcore (New England Hardcore)
Label: Patient Zero Records
Reviewed Music: ‘Year Of The Wolf’ (EP, Aug 7th, 2020) 5 Tracks (9 min, 12 sec)
“To the Wounded” (1:50)
“Year of the Wolf” (2:08)
“Come Second” (1:26)
“Let it Be Known” (1:54)
“No Cowards” (1:54)
‘Year Of The Wolf’ Teaser
Review of ‘Year Of The Wolf’ (EP, Aug 17th, 2020) by Burden
"..I am not my brothers keeper,
You were not my cross to bear,
I held you up with heavy hands,
This guilt is mine to share,
You were a heavy burden,
This is the price I paid,
I am an empty vessel,
I have no heart to break..."
- Excerpt from "To The Wounded"
Cutting deep with the opening lyrics, the New England Hardcore act, Burden, kicks off the latest installment of savage angst in their latest campaign for the upcoming EP, ‘Year Of the Wolf’, releasing on August 17th, 2020 via Patient Zero Records. Self described as “Burden 2.0” after some previous lineup changes, each individual member has channeled the weighted emotion of difficult times from their individual lives into the creation of this album, and have utilized “the catharsis of music" in order to “let all that bullshit and rage, and frustration shine through..". This is Burden, and this is personal.
90% of the time, one of the“cliche band struggles” boils down to ultimately what the lyrical content of an album should be about. Will it be political? will it be sad vibes? will it be abstract? or will it be lore? For current vocalist Edwin Lavallee, there was no hesitation when approaching the new album: make it direct.
"…I've been through a lot in my life....I spent a lot of my life as an active alcoholic and drug addict but I got sober six years ago. I also struggle with anxiety, depression, and stuff like that....specifically this album a lot of lyrics that I wrote were dealing with those things..." - Edwin Lavallee (Vocalist)
The gang vocals of “To The Wounded” simmer and break into a chaotic mess of rumbling riffs, like an approaching storm, only to be enhanced by the crashing vocals of Lavallee raging above the fray. Showcasing an matured evolution from their established discography sound, the desire to brutally raw with this record pours from every second of track 1. Fueled by the terror of broken memories and tiring agony, the ignorant noise drives home the message woven within:
"…I had a friend since 4th grade…we both struggled with alcohol and substance abuse. In January 2014 I finally got sober, but 2 weeks after that, that friend relapsed and died. That’s what that whole song (“To The Wounded") is about..." - Edwin Lavallee
Perpetuating the roaring tsunami of bass, the album namesake, “Year Of the Wolf” carries the aggression as the Chris LeBlanc fabricated instrumentals embed themselves into unsuspecting eardrums. This isn’t the last time listeners are to be accosted by this talent, but take note and listen close, because the passionate story remains true.
“..I’ve got these scars that I can’t take back,
I guess I’ve got you to thank for them…”- Excerpt from “Year of the Wolf”
Uncultured people have said that if you’ve heard one ‘New England Hardcore’ band, you’ve heard em all: each track is short and sweet, with a smack to the chops. Although this statement is far from the truth, for Burden, that’s a stereotype they happily oblige while executing “Come Second” in a inadvertent expulsion of ignorant sound. We only wish this track was longer…
"…As far as I'm concerned this is essentially "Burden 2.0" - its everything we loved about Burden before but now with more input. Its more of the direction we are going in moving forward - a little bit different...a little less technical, a little heavier, but its definitely a cool iteration..."
“Let It Be Known” and “No Cowards” verge into uncharted territory for Burden, both musically and lyrically - surpassing even the heft of the debut track - the writing is next level for this band. Of course, crowd safety is blatantly disregarded as Edwin proclaims “Everyone is a fucking target” as the highlight of “Let It Be Known”, and we envision the mosh-pit chaos which ensues to the pulsing, caveman tones that rip across your eardrums. “No Cowards” on the other-hand closes the record with a different tone - lyrically at least:
“…"No Cowards" is all about showing up for your friends like when they are going through their silent struggles - there's a line in the song where it says "never let your friends fight alone" and that's not necessarily in a fist fight...if you happen to see your friend struggling with mental illness, addiction, depression, anxiety - stand by them, fight with them because they are going to need it - that's the time when they need it the most..." - Edwin Lavallee (Vocalist)
Pushing the creative limits of their respective genre, this EP wasn’t designed to make anybody comfortable, but rather make observers engage with the core emotions presented. Intentional or not, the call to action subtly hidden in the track titles of this EP make it sound like Burden is picking a fight with the world - but that’s their secret: they are - so listen up, buckle in, and meet me in the pit. - Nic B
FFO: Bad Move, Katahdin, Kingpin, Mastiff , Moon Rot
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