Terror - Trapped in a World

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North American Hardcore can be seen as two Schools apart: one on New York, and another on the West Coast. In the last one, San Francisco and Los Angeles gave birth to legendary names of North American Hardcore scene, as BLACK FLAG, CIRCLE JERKS, FEAR, DEAD KENNEDYS, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, SOCIAL DISTORTION, and many others. The Hardcore spirit is still alive on the scene there, as can be heard clearly on “Trapped in a World”, the new album from the Hardcore slaughters of TERROR.

It’s a classic form of West Coast Hardcore, brutal, fast and full of energy, but with many of the melodic hooks of the genre. Of course that Crossover and Thrash Metal fans will have a deep crush on the album, because the musical elements here is the most classic and die-hard Hardcore possible. No accessible melodic appeal for radio stations (just the natural melodies), nor beautiful aesthetic worries, just a blunt and oppressive form of Hardcore. But what the fans could wish? Dive on it! The album was recorded live in July 2020 at Jet to Mars Studio, with the mix and sound engineering of Nick Jett, and mastering of Will Putney. Yes, this album was recorded in a live shot on studio, to keep things natural and aggressive as it must be. But the spontaneous feeling of the album being recorded in such way doesn’t mean that it’s not clean and defined. The quintet is experienced to do things on such form and to make it sound in a great way.

The songs from “Trapped in a World” are, in reality, new recorded versions for songs from “One With the Underdogs” and “Always the Hard Way”, giving them a new and fresh energy, and none of them lasts more than three minutes. Be prepare for the whip, because “Lowest of the Low” (a fast song with many breakdowns and amazing vocals and backing vocals), “Life and Death” (another catchy fast song, with excellent catchy guitar riffs), “Out of My Face” (the contrasts between fast and slow parts is amazing, and the bass guitar and drums are really great), the Pogo incite called “Keep Your Distance” and “Less Than Zero”, the fast and aggressive “Crushed By the Truth”, and “One With the Underdogs” are the best ones.

As mentioned above, “Trapped in a World” is a great album, so dive in and enjoy it while TERROR isn’t coming with something new.

Songwriting: 9
Musicianship: 9
Memorability: 9
Production: 8