Hungry Like Rakovitz - Pious

 

 

Hungry Like Rakovitz - Pious
Shove Records/Flames Don't Judge/Helldog Records - 2025
Sludge, Metal
Rated: ****

Hungry Like Rakovitz from Italy have been waving the grindcore/sludge/hardcore flag for many, many years. Their first full length came out way back in 2009 and since then they went on to release a split with O, two ep's and two more full lengths, always balancing somewhere on the verge of the above mentioned styles. 'Pious' is their latest lp and the first one since 2016's 'Nevermind the Light' (bar a mediocre ep titled 'Vile' in 2020).

The first thing that comes to mind when listening to 'Pious' is that it's still an ear-shattering slab of relentless aggression. A dark assault bound to rip your flesh apart and tear your insides out with the sole purpose of grilling them at a cosy neighbourhood BBQ party. Quite befitting to the person after whom the band was named (Daniel Rakowitz - google the name and be disgusted by the lunatic actions that led him to be involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital where he - as far as I know - still resides).

Anyway - in case you didn't get the point yet - this is heavy and brutal music for everyone with a sturdy backbone and a heart that's been tested and given the green light to undergo the madness. But, unlike earlier releases, the grindcore has taken a bit of a backseat. This is mainly extremely heavy and highly technical sludge with a math metal edge, a basic groove you rarely hear in grindcore and vocals that range from hardcore shouts to black metal screams.

The best example of HLR's obvious growth is given straight away. Opener 'We Don't Write Love Songs' makes an obvious statement and bursts out off the gate with all guns blazing, ready to take you down with one single bullet. 'We March to the Off Beat of Our Drums' is another standout track with a groove that wanders off into Crowbar territory, while 'Permanent Damnation' (by far the longest track clocking in at over 5 minutes) makes Eyehategod look like a bunch of school kids sharing lunch on a sunny playground. For the rest it's mayhem, havoc, violence and destruction, delivered in random order by a band that's been around for a while and has gotten so tight it's about time to loosen your studded collar a bit and give those neck muscles some well-deserved exercise. Released on January 1st 2025, this is the first big blow of 2025 and a very promising start to the new year.

(Written by Ronny Dijksterhuis)

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