Violent Sons
Nothing Is As It Seems
VIOLENT SONS is fronted by Sean Murphy from VERSE, the Providence hardcore act who have released four records setting the bar for the modern enhancement of youth crew standards and their own more progressive and yet equally passionate and politically engaged/enraged strain. Also including RAINDANCE drummer Evan White, their 10-song introduction, Nothing As It Seems is a ferocious effort that would imaginably please fans of VERSEs ambitious trajectory, and yet, it is completely its own project for much of its blistering 22-minute length. A metallic undercurrent here, a blast beat there, a smoggy atmosphere elsewhere, propulsive, Kurt Ballou-esque riffs at other points-it all makes for a uniquely punchy and multifaceted debut that subtly twists punks heavier formula into new shapes and colors while retaining Murphys exasperated, incensed sociopolitical frustrations.