DRAIN レコード& CD

Review: Few modern hardcore acts have been able to generate the level of hype which Santa Cruz, California crossover thrash mob Drain effortlessly cultivated in the years since dropping their instant classic debut California Cursed in 2020. Making a name for themselves as a vital live act in a year where touring was literally impossible, anticipation has been rife for their sophomore effort with Epitaph Records who scooped the band up following their seal of approval from Revelation. Living Proof serves as an elevation of every strength from the retro 80s indebted riffage to the crushing breakdowns and frontman Sammy Ciaramitaro's beastly snarl. Complete with bouncing anthems of communal venom while also sporting a shockingly faithful Descendents cover in the form of 'Good Good Things', which hints at effortless melodious tendencies, this long overdue follow up is set to ignite the Drain momentum even further, and cement them as forerunners of the global expansion and recognition of hardcore as a respected movement.