After five years, we've finally got a small injection of new music from Los Angeles metallic hardcore act God's Hate. Won't Be Disgraced comes in at a brief three tracks, each one chock full of chunky, lumbering, violent riffs — and some of my personal favourite tough-guy hardcore tropes.
In an Instagram post announcing the EP, the band said the collection is "driven by grief in the greater hardcore community and beyond" — notably, the death of Bo Leuders from Harm's Way and the HardLore podcast, with final track "Warriors Will Reign" serving as tribute.
If you ever need an example to demonstrate the difference between metalcore and metallic hardcore, it's right here with Won't Be Disgraced. It's unmistakably hardcore in its essence, with the metal elements accenting it rather than taking on the main identity. With some thrash influences, the tracks are dynamic, while the vocal performance from frontman and wrestler Brody King has all the theatrics of a pro-wrestling spot.
God's Hate are direct in their takedown of the opponent (grief), repeating the band's name and even including the term "straight edge" in the straight edge anthem "I Am the Cure." Get in the ring, because there's no shortage of things to be mad about — and God's Hate get it.
