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The Obelisk Radio Add of the Week: The Decline Effect, The Decline Effect

Posted in Radio on September 4th, 2013 by JJ Koczan

In science, the “decline effect” refers to once-supported claims or theories being seen as less true over time. Louisville, Kentucky, sludge punkers The Decline Effect take that notion and, on their self-titled 28:48 Records debut LP, make the obvious philosophical leap with it: What was true before is not true now, and vice versa. Or at very least that that’s where we’re headed. Melt that down in a hot vat of frill-less hardcore punk and riff-led fuckall, and The Decline Effect‘s The Decline Effect gradually begins to take shape, songs like the opener “Swine,” “Drone” and “Superstructure” metering out frustrations to whatever ears will be so bold as to listen.

Along with exploring the long-since-consummated unions between rock and punk and between punk and politics, the 29 minutes of The Decline Effect finds nuance in moments like the Iron Maiden-gone-garage opening progression of “I.N.S.” and the catchy proto-grunge of “Serpent to Slay.” Some might recognize vocalist “Dirty” Dave Johnson from his work in Louisville heavy rockers The Glasspack, though as he’s partnered here with guitarist Mark Abromavage (ex-Kinghorse), bassist Chris Abromavage and drummer Jae Brown, the resulting style across these nine songs is far less blues-based. Rawer and meaner, The Decline Effect backs up its attitude with high-efficiency thrust, the insistent sneer of “Divide and Conquer” meeting groovier contrast in the slower “Bulletproof,” which gives the bass more space to shine through the raw but not underproduced mix.

“Drone” touches on melody with vocal layering but ultimately runs it over with a motoring riff. That’s not The Decline Effect‘s trip anyway. They keep to the pummel, do it well and do it quick, and are in and out smartly in under half an hour. I don’t know if it’s an album to incite a riot, but there aren’t many who pull of grown-up punk this well without sounding either redundant or exhausted. The anger on the catchy “Sleeping Giant” feels genuine, and closer “Bodies” shows some emerging dynamic in tempo shifts that ties the record together surprisingly neatly considering how jagged parts of it can be.

28:48 has The Decline Effect out in a couple different vinyl versions, and you can hear it now in rotation on The Obelisk Radio‘s ever-expanding playlist, as well as get a taste and/or buy a download from the Bandcamp player below:

The Decline Effect, The Decline Effect (2013)

The Decline Effect on Thee Facebooks

The Decline Effect on Bandcamp

28:48 Records

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