Social Suicide - A Genetic Hoax
Brilliance Records
Post-Hardcore/Hardcore/Punk/
11 songs (34:30)
Release year: 2012
Social Suicide
Reviewed by Thomas

2010 saw the Norwegian punks in Social Suicide rise to fame within hardcore circles with their excellent debut Broken Pilgrims. Coloured by furious screams, vicious riffs and an overall excellent song-writing, Broken Pilgrims pushed these young guns onto an European tour featuring Comeback Kid, and a shorter headlining tour in India(!). Acknowledged as a part of a vital new rising force of hardcore in Norway, expectations were no less than mountainous prior to their sophomore effort at kicking Satan´s ass. Enter A Genetic Hoax.

The introductory title-track is just that, mountainous. It kicks off with gigantic, slow, stomping riffs before exploding in a flurry of frenetic guitars and fierce, violent roars. Marius Jahnsen, who replaced former vocalist Sondre Haug prior to recording this one, wields the mic with commanding authority. Though he´s not as distinct as Haug, he´s next to perfect technically and sounds properly pissed off. Fatal Forms of Infinity, displays this perfectly, and despite being ridiculously catchy I would damn well listen if Mr. Jahnsen craved that «THIS CENTURY BETTER BE THE LAST ONE». Then again, luckily I´m not God, and don´t have to deal with such demands.

Joking aside, A Genetic Hoax displays boys becoming men. This is harder to grasp in its entirety than Broken Pilgrims which had something to sing along to every other minute. Here however, riffs are never abandoned for the sake of melody, and complex, beautifully chaotic structures of songs like When Speaking of Plagues and especially I Welcome a Different Chaos will strike straight in your rebellious heart. Bjarte Haugland´s axemanship is again heroic and even more impressive than last time. In addition Esteban Muños´ and Remi Arefjord´s rhythmic work is ultrasharp. Examples aren´t even necessary.

As far as the actual hardcore is concerned, this is a bit more metalized. There are traces of Comeback Kid and Hatebreed, yet the beloved Scandinavian roots are never ripped from the ground. Influences from Silver, Amulet and even Refused are apparent, but more importantly, Social Suicide adds their own little twists to everything, making this mix all the more impressive. Expect filthy but lovely gang shouts, some sing-alongs, lots of airdrumming and let the volcano of riffs erupt in deadly holy fire.

Downpoints? Except Formative Destruction (sorry guys, it´s shit), I´m not going to point any fingers. I will leave that to the ultra-elitist fuckheads (who no-one ever listens to) intolerant of religion and such.

Despite not clicking as easily as Broken Pilgrims, I suspect that this won´t be forgotten easily either. So, unturn that cross your grandmother gave you, and when Social Suicide comes to town, mosh like a hero.

Killing Songs :
Everything rocks except Formative Destruction
Thomas quoted 88 / 100
Other albums by Social Suicide that we have reviewed:
Social Suicide - Broken Pilgrims reviewed by Thomas and quoted 84 / 100
Social Suicide - Fifth Man on a Dead Man's Grave 7" reviewed by Thomas and quoted no quote
Social Suicide - Involving Distraction and Misdirection of Which You Get Everyone to Look One Way While Whatever You're Doing Involves Going the Other Way reviewed by Thomas and quoted no quote
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