HARAM “S/T”
If you’re familiar with the MD/DC/VA music scene, then the words, “featuring former members of MAJORITY RULE and PG.99,” should be enough alone for HARAM to develop a fanbase. These guys could have made an entire album of a bunch of dudes smashing rubber chickens on a pair of bongos and it still would have drawn positive attention. Fortunately HARAM’s eleven song self-titled release has nothing to do with rubber chickens or bongos, but it does have plenty to do with dense, rhythm-intensive post-hardcore that seems practically second nature in this city. Dropping names such as DRIVE LIKE JEHU or FUGAZI gives a minimum impression of what HARAM is about, but aside of comparing these guys to such prominent scene luminaries, HARAM truly do indulge themselves in propulsive beats, angular guitar riffs and spacious, almost intoxicating arrangements. Halfway through the album is a six-minute apocalyptic blast called “Deal” which takes the band in a FRODUS/DECAHEDRON-like direction, sounding decidedly modern and oddly mechanical. The downtrodden monotone vocals are the least distinctive part to HARAM but this doesn’t really take away much from the release as the guitarwork and drumming take center stage. Between HARAM and fellow DC area post-hardcore upstarts A DAY IN BLACK AND WHITE, it seems like people should have no trouble finding a beat or two to wrap around their heads. As long as you’re not paying attention to politics, things are sounding pretty good in our nation’s capital.
Lovitt
