Title Fight have always been ambitious. ‘Floral Green’ may have been cut from the same hardcore cloth as their early thrashings, but it seemed far bigger, its aims grander in scope. ‘Hyperview’, the Kingston, PA quartet’s third full-length, fulfils that promise, but in a fashion that will almost certainly leave some long-term fans grasping at thin air.
In very basic terms, they’ve become less direct. Each song here emerges from a shoegazey mist, with the rough edges of ‘Spring Songs’ - an EP released by legendary hardcore label Revelation two years ago - replaced by Johnny Marr jangle and angular, picked riffs.
Murder Your Memory, the opening song here, is a slow-burner with a circular hook, but Chlorine rushes from the speakers. It’s here we see Title Fight 2.0 in full flow. The hushed register suits Jamie Rhoden, who rattles off a string of lingering melodies throughout.
In these moments - notably Rose of Sharon, on which the Rhoden bark returns for just a second, Hypernight and the infectious Mrahc - ‘Hyperview’ is quite brilliant; both confident and delivered with precision.
Such high points are culled from a whole that is a little nebulous, even repetitive at times, though. There are growing pains apparent across the piece, with Trace Me On To You and New Vision lacking the definition of the record’s best shots.
As evolutionary steps go, ‘Hyperview’ is an intermediate period that points to a fascinating future. Title Fight were a great hardcore band. They'll likely replicate that success again. They’ll just be a bit quieter while they do it.
Title Fight Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sat May 02 2015 - BRISTOL Thekla
Mon May 04 2015 - GLASGOW Classic Grand
Wed May 06 2015 - LONDON Dome Tufnell Park
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