EP Review: Acid Hound – Reduced to Noise (Self Released)

Metalcore upstarts Acid Hound have released their debut EP ‘Reduced to Noise’, featuring six tracks of abrasive intensity.

Making some headway in the live London scene, and having released a handful of singles (some of which appear on this EP), it’s finally time to sink the teeth into the group’s debut EP.

The sound of crunching gravel, a creaking door being opened, equipment being turned on… Acid Hound have arrived and the intro that is the title track has a horror/sci-fi feel to it. It’s a very cool sounding start, and it bleeds into Abaddon where the band explode into a manic showcase of metallic hardcore. Musical sense is lost in a whirlwind of coarse heaviness and speed. It’s a solid track that will please the two-step crowd even if it lacks a memorable hook.

Envisioned is a step-up, less focused on trying to see how fast and frantic they can go, Acid Hound show some nuances to their ‘core’ style. Although it is still undeniably aggressive, raw and rough in places, the clean singing is interesting but the transition into screaming is where it is really at. More of this sort of stuff, please.

By comparison Wolves pales but that doesn’t make it a bad song, it’s just a bit messy in places. Then there is Reckoning, an example of experimentation that has flare-ups of out and out brutality. Again, this is the attention-grabbing stuff as it shows Acid Hound may not just be following the same tired and worn ‘core’ path so many are on.

Finally, showcasing an ear for metal as well as hardcore, Wretch has a bouncy rhythm that hits the right notes for those who want to go a bit mental in a pit. A more straight-forward finale but one that fits the EP tone nicely.

Acid Hound – Reduced to Noise Track Listing:

1. Reduced to Noise
2. Abaddon
3. Envisioned
4. Wolves
5. Reckoning
6. Wretch

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