Ringworm/Mindsnare Split    
A389 Recordings
by Erick Pressman

You gotta hand it to the folks over at A389 Recordings. Their ability to keep pumping out quality releases is only rivaled by the Duggar family’s ability keep pumping out children. In addition to the recent Children Of God/Seven Sisters Of Sleep split 12 inch, A389 just dropped a split 7 inch between Cleveland hardcore legends Ringworm and Australian rockers Mindsnare. A389 are known for putting out bands that take brutality to a whole new level, and both Ringworm and Mindsnare offer two pummeling bangers each that will inevitably lead to structural damage in residences everywhere due to bedroom dancefloor justice being carried out by those playing this record at home.

Mindsnare are equal opportunity brutal. At times, they come with a hard, NYHC crossover hardcore sound, but flip the script by fusing elements of trash and death metal, as well as a hearty dose of Converge-ish chaos. Definitely hardcore for those with a broader palate than the average Rebel 8 wearing kid, but their unique blend of genres sets Mindsnare apart from nearly everyone else in hardcore in 2011 and makes me nostalgic for 25 Ta Life (just a little bit). Ringworm do what they have been doing for years: coming hard with metallic, heavy hardcore. The music is stop-on-a-dime tight, and Human Furnace’s trademark scream is as blood-curdling as its ever been. While never really straying from what they’ve always done, these new Ringworm songs definitely stand out more than the material from their most recent full lengths. It’s reassuring to see that one of the greatest hardcore bands ever still has it in them.

This split is available over at www.a389recordings.com. Cop this joint ASAP. Fully backed and cosigned by us over here at 1000 Knives.