Album review: Year Of The Knife – No Love Lost

Just four months ago, Delaware metallic hardcore favourites Year Of The Knife were involved in a terrible van accident while on tour. All four members of the band were injured, most breaking multiple bones, with vocalist/guitarist Madi Watkins also sustaining a serious brain injury. Given the circumstances, it’s remarkable the band have decided to push forward with this release, but what’s even more incredible is how ferocious, full of life and plain brilliant it is. Though written and recorded long before, No Love Lost is a testament to music’s ability to give us hope even in our darkest hours.

Opening with the forceful, Power Trip-esque groove of Sometimes, the band storm out of the gates, with Madi’s strong vocal performance in particular impressing, her vicious delivery falling somewhere between a metalcore scream and the growls more commonly associated with death-metal’s heaviest bludgeoners. Wish delivers more of the same, this time allowing the potent rhythm section of bassist (and Madi’s husband) Brandon Watkins and drummer Andrew Kisielewski to shine. The cataclysmic Last Laugh – clocking in at just 48 seconds – takes things down an even darker path, but the highlight is the triumphant pit-starter Heaven Denied, where the potent guitars of Madi, alongside Andrew’s brother Aaron Kisielewski, really come to the fore.

It’s a thrilling ride, and at just 20 minutes long, No Love Lost provides a brief yet highly satisfying dose of emotionally-charged metallic hardcore that leaves you starving for more. With every penny raised from its release going directly to the band members to support their ongoing recovery, this is an album we should all be getting behind.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: Jesus Piece, Vein.fm, Power Trip

No Love Lost is released October 27 via Pure Noise