Review
Year Of The Knife, is a band originating from Delaware, released their new album, No Love Lost, on the 27th of October under the Pure Noise Records banner. The album is produced by Kurt Ballou, renowned for his work with bands like Nails, The Armed and Code Orange. The album amplifies the band’s penchant for death metal, much like their previous effort, Internal Incarceration. Get ready for an unrelenting and bone-crushing amalgamation of hardcore and death metal influences that will command your undivided attention, leaving a lasting impact long after album’s runtime.
Year of the Knife rapidly ascended in popularity within the scene following the 2019 release of Ultimate Aggression. However, their meteoric rise was abruptly halted. In late June, the band endured a harrowing car accident in Salt Lake City during their tour, leaving all four members with severe injuries. Madison Watkins, the band’s lead singer, suffered multiple bone fractures and traumatic brain injuries. Their path to recovery has been grueling, with more challenges on the horizon, particularly as Madison is still healing from this.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding when the band can return to full force and resume live performances, fans can again immerse themselves in the sonic journey of their new album. This is only possible because Year Of The Knife was already hard at work recording this album, No Love Lost in the months leading up to the accident.
No Love Lost has a duration of merely 20 minutes, giving this the album a powerful punch, delivering the signature YOTK experience that fans have come to cherish. The opening track of the album “Sometimes” hits you with blistering percussion and a tumult of chainsaw-like guitars. Then you will hear the track “Wish” and the 48 second track “Last Laugh’, both tracks that the band already shared as a teaser for the new album. These tracks underscore the band’s mastery of concise songwriting and the unrelenting aggression that defines the album.
The best track on the album, titles “No Love Lost” after which the album is named, generously extends over a 3-minute duration. It beckons the listener for a climactic immersion into the immersive and tumultuous sonic landscape crafted by the band. With this album, you’re invited to plunge headlong into the relentless maelstrom of Year Of The Knife’s sound, where the band’s artistry reaches its apex, delivering an epic crescendo of emotions and auditory intensity.
Year Of The Knife’s No Love Lost is a relentless and powerful musical tour de force. This album, expertly produced by Kurt Ballou, pushed the boundaries of hardcore and death metal, leaving a lasting impression. With its intense, bone-crushing tracks and the end track “No Love Lost”, this album is a must-listen for fans of heavy music, showcasing the band’s resilience and unwavering commitment to their craft even in these dark and difficult days for the band.