Trash talk is one of those bands that hardcore kids seem to either love or hate. I honestly don’t understand the hatred. Is it because of their aggression? Is it their confidence? Whatever it is, I don’t understand it because Trash Talk is one of the best hardcore bands to come out in the past ten years. That I can say with confidence. With their completely D.I.Y. approach to music and almost riot-like live shows, Trash Talk has already left their mark within the hardcore community, leaving other bands with their tails between their legs. Remember when you were younger and you were legitimately scarred at shows? Scarred to the point where you didn’t know if you were going to be able to enjoy the show or get your teeth knocked in? I miss those days. Seeing Trash Talk live evokes that nostalgia for me. Their live shows can be described as nothing less than chaos. In terms of stage presence, they are the best live band I have ever seen. One time during a set at Red 7 in Austin, Texas, vocalist Lee Spielman was pounding his forehead so hard with the microphone that it was oozing with fresh blood while he screamed in the faces of unenthused audience members. Another set, the guitarist jumped down from the stage and knocked the shit out of the guy standing next to me for pushing him. This is the anger and intensity I miss¾non-existent from cookie cutter hardcore bands that practice their stage moves and throw a temper tantrum if God forbid something is thrown at them.
With two full-lengths and four EPs already behind them, Trash Talk needed to keep the enormous buzz going with their third full-length, Eyes & Nines. Walking Disease and Plagues are my favorite of their previous releases, with thrashy hardcore/punk songs containing traditional elements of old school hardcore while still having that Trash Talk brand. The older records offer little song structure and hooks and choruses are non-existent. Eyes and Nines presents a more mature and crafted record that displays the immense progression the band has made in song writing. The songs are still short but the more thought out and dynamic structures make them feel longer to the listener.
The hard hitting opener “Vultures” builds up rapidly until Spielman’s abusive vocals take over, accompanied by Garrett Stevenson’s unorthodox wah-laden riff and Sam Bosson’s impressive drum technique. “Vultures” displays the bands evolution as it illustrates the new directions the band is willing to take. “Flesh And Blood,” beginning with spastic drums and a traditional punk sound gives flashbacks to the reason Trash Talk is where they are today. The song enters into a catchy break with Spielman roaring, “Anointed in acid rain/Crossed in crowded streets/Formed in a manger of mange/A bastard in Babylon hailing from hell and beyond/Born to a life full of blame.” The album’s single, “Explode” showcases the bands ability to break from chaos and offer well-defined structure. With a memorable chorus, outstanding trade off vocals between Spielman and Pollard, and even a guest sing/yell part from The Bronx’s Matt Caughthran, “Explode” is a perfect single for the newly developed Trash Talk. The distorted voice of a preacher lies under a Black Sabbath like riff as the epic “Hash Wednesday” begins. Spencer Pollard offers his best vocals on the record as his unique growl repeats, “Jesus is in me/At a premium price/Jesus is in me/I am the body of Christ.” The repetitive guitar progression alongside vocals immersed in reverb carry the song until the doom ceases. “Rabbit Holes” contains some of my favorite vocals from Spielman as his unique scream resonates throughout. The song ends with an interesting sliding groove accompanied with a strange train whistle¾once again showing Trash Talk’s ability to break out of generic hardcore. Bosson’s skills shine on “Trudge” and the title track contains the most merciless vocals of the record with the combined intensity of Spielman and Pollard belting, “Swarm like the locust/Buzz like an atom bomb.”
With their previous records being produced either too clean or too shitty, Eyes & Nines lies in the perfect equilibrium that elevates the aura of what Trash Talk actually sounds like. The rhythm section and vocals are unrelenting and although hard to understand, the lyrics are well thought out and contain their own personality unrepresented anywhere else in hardcore. Eyes & Nines shows us a new Trash Talk that is not afraid to explore new territory and will only grow more with experience. Seriously, see this fucking band live. You won’t be disappointed.
Rating: 9.5/10
Favorite Track: “Rabbit Holes” or “Eyes & Nines”
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