ninehertz

Merit may ply a crushing line in hardcore and noise rock, but it is in their bold variability that they truly caught the eye (and ear). They’re a four piece from Stockholm with releases dating back a couple of years, but this serves as my introduction. I was instantly impressed.

Clanging instruments greet you with thoughts leaning towards noise rock, vocals that are scarred and feral and a hint of something more technical or mathy in the otherwise blackened hardcore spirit. There’s a lot going on, but you think you have a handle on where they reside. Then Atrophy arrives full of pure noise, distant saxophones and general feel of an industrial or noise artist – and that thought is completely thrown.

It adds intrigue and uncertainty as to what is coming next at all times. The following Evil has a technical heaviness to it that could almost be the start to a tech-grind track, but instead settles in hardcore, like Cursed with dissonant riffs. It is followed by a second noise track. Perpetual Hate then has me thinking of Cursed again and possibly even a rawer Dillinger Escape Plan at their most direct, in the twists in their guitars.

The closing title track is way longer than anything else here at going on nine minutes in length, slow and low noise-rock and post-hardcore, holding back the attack, stalking in the shadows, taking its time rather than jumping in for the kill. It is another angle of attack for Merit. It goes quiet and takes the long road towards louder reemergence, which is surprisingly restrained.

It’s a different side to them, revealed just before they sign off. It caps an album that keeps you on your toes, moving away from the obvious, but excelling in every space they occupy, an exciting livewire album.