ALBUM REVIEW: FROM HARM - ‘ARCANE PARDON’
From Harm, the explosive hardcore project led by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jon Chapman, has a killer new EP called Arcane Pardon. This new record is six songs crammed under the twenty-minute mark, packed to the brim with gargantuan riffs, pummeling drums, and a mesmerizing howl, using the bleak religious zealotry from America’s early colonial past to shine a spotlight on the same backward fearmongering plaguing modern day society.
“And You Shall Receive” starts with seriously ominous guitar tones before launching into lockstep double bass drum bursts. This short instrumental track is a perfect intro for the rest of the EP. The only lyrics spoken is a gruff proclamation: “You’re going to burn!,” and burn your speakers shall. “Cloaks & Daggers” immediately follows suit. This blistering three-minute ripper is loaded with hardcore punk energy but executed with modern-day metalcore precision and ferocity. The shrieking vocals fit the song’s overall vibe perfectly, but they hit especially hard when the occasional deeper growls enter the mix.
“1563” has some of the most incredible guitar tones on the record and is blessed with plenty of weird timing starts and stops for any prog and math metal fiends. A wickedly punchy breakdown near the end is guaranteed to snap a few vertebrae out in the world. “Fraternalia” delivers more fast-paced, crunchy goodness. At the same time “The Heathen Lounge,” aside from being one of the most incredible song titles ever, has the catchiest background gang vocals these ears have heard in ages. You’ll be screaming “pitchforks!” in no time.
“We Have No Other Name” closes things off with a bang. This four-minute rager is structured like a mini-epic. The first act comes out with guns blazing and some serious Converge vibes. The middle section hits the e-brake and turns into a haunting post-metal lullaby before transitioning into a hail of breakdowns and finally launching into high-octane barrage mode one last time. Brace yourselves for the soundtrack to the demise of our civilization.
Listen to Arcane Pardon below:
