MP3: Lack - Achilles and the tortoise
Lack, one of my favorite modern hardcore acts, has a new split 7" with Beta Satan (preview clip here) plus a new album on the way early next year. They've progressed an immense over the years, so I figure it's a good time to check in again with where they came from. Their 2001 debut "Blues Moderene: Danois Explosifs" is considered by many to be the finest post-Refused album emulating the Swedes' angular, polyrhythmic style. Personally, I'm a much, much bigger fan of the 2005 follow-up "Be there pulse", a far more melodic and progressive album. The huge gap between records gave them ample time to regroup and reemerge as a band with their own distinctive sound. However, there's certainly something to be said for that first album. I think it actually holds up much better than Refused's "The shape of punk to come" as it's far more streamlined and fierce. The jazzy bits and electronica dabblings that seemed so amazing and groundbreaking at the time of its release, come off as tired now. What Lack manages to do, is refine all the other bits that made Refused so good. Sure, there's tons of other 'core bands that can out-tech them, but that's not the point. That whole riff-salad approach doesn't appeal to me anyhow, especially if you don't have anything to say. For Lack (and Refused too, for that matter), that's not a problem. As to where their career takes them next, guess we'll have to wait and see.
Lack - Achilles and the tortoise