Some things are just meant to be no matter how much hardship is involved, no matter the struggles that must be overcome to get over the finish line. We’ve all seen hard times the last few years, and even as we return to a sense of normalcy, it’s still fresh in most people’s minds just how hard we had to work to get things done and out into the world.
Florida-based hardcore band Gouge Away almost didn’t make it back. There was music that started and then was shelved, and then they went on hiatus when the pandemic happened, making it very possible we’d never see their third record. Luckily, the band—vocalist Christina Michelle, guitarists Mick Ford and Dylan Downey, bassist Tyler Forsythe, drummer Thomas Cantwell—pulled those new songs off the shelf, got back to writing and performing, and now we have “Deep Sage,” an album that still has plenty of their fiery DNA but also adds more texture into their sounds. These 11 songs spread over 35 minutes have poppy and murky moments, and a lot of this could find audiences beyond heavy music fans and into new terrain altogether. If they do, it’s well deserved.
“Stuck in a Dream” charges up right away, Michelle’s raspy singing leaving brush burns, the heat turning dangerous in a hurry. The chorus rips while some zany playing adds an element of fun, burning off into exhaust. “Maybe Blue” is catchy and melodic, the guitars bubbling over, punching and tangling into a haze. The singing sends jolts while getting screamier over the chorus, and the final moments pack a ’90s-style rock punch that’s powerful and effective. “Idealized” sends electricity as the singing is strong but a little softer at first, breathing fire as the story develops. The playing swings back and jars as Michelle calls, “No apology means no apology,” as the track stomps blood into the ground. The title track opens with guitars charging the gates, yelled singing and screams uniting, and the melodies gushing brightly. Noisy and punchy, the track lays waste, leaning into noise, Michelle’s vocals leaving bruising and scarring. “A Welcome Change” eases in, Michelle’s singing flowing generously, sounds ringing as the guitars buzz. The bass trudges as warmth and reflection rise, slipping into an indie rock vibe that exposes new texture.
“Overwatering” is fluid with confrontational vocals, shrieks ripping as hand claps make your blood rush. The playing gets creative and tricky as Michelle howls over the chaos, disorienting before it fades. “No Release” speeds in with a hardcore tenacity, blazing as Michelle howls, “Can’t control it, it’s in my blood!” The forceful storming continues as howls trample, and the final blasts slam the door shut. “The Sharpening” unloads with jostling riffs and a burst of speed, Michelle’s shrieks blazing past your eardrums. The pace keeps adding fuel to the fire, the screams rampaging and the pace strengthening the grip that’s around your neck. “Spaced Out” is cold water to the face, Michelle demanding, “I need space!” The playing is colorful and confrontational, a quick microburst that doesn’t last long but leaves plenty of damage behind. “Newtau” is warmer with Michelle’s singing feeling more delicate to match the mood. Of course, that doesn’t last as the pace picks up, the bass playing blackens eyes, and everything begins to disintegrate as the howls begin to maul. The guitars glimmer as the pace softens, simmering and fading away. Closer “Dallas” is moody and glistening, the singing glazing as the guitars make the hairs on your arm stand. There’s a bit of a Speedy Ortiz flavor to what’s going on here, the tempo playing with your emotions, the guitars feeling poppy and fuzzy, wordless calls fading into noise.
“Deep Sage” refused to fall and continued to live deep in the shadows until these songs were ready to see the light of day. Luckily, perseverance won out in the end, and Gouge Away sound like a unit with renewed purpose and vigor, ready to put all of themselves into their music again. This album defies definitive genre tags as it really contains so many elements, that you can’t affix a name. What matters is how good and honest and catchy this record is, and it finally will get to live the full life it richly deserved.
For more on the band, go here: https://www.facebook.com/gougeawayfl
To buy the album (U.S.), go here: https://deathwishinc.com/collections/gouge-away
Or here (Europe): https://deathwishinc.eu/collections/gouge-away?sort_by=created-descending
For more on the label, go here: https://deathwishinc.com/
Meat Mead Metal 