Reviews

Cruciform Cruciform cassette

A demo tape put out by Toxic State, who have broadened their spectrum and no longer solely focus on NYC, therefore I am no longer sure where this band is from. But as regional sounds have disappeared, this does not matter that much anymore. CRUCIFORM mixes a snottier, thinner, and not as distorted guitar sound that is reminiscent of KBD hardcore and dumb, brain-hammering drums from the outsider lanes of hardcore. It’s a great mix of what is best in USHC—it’s hectic, dirty, a bit chaotic, but not super radical. Sound-wise, it’s closer to CRAZY SPIRIT; it’s nasty, yet you can hear almost everything. My favorite parts are when the already fast music turns even faster and frantic. Hard Nuke York vibes.