Hundredth
Free
Hopeless Records/UNFD
Release Date: Out Now
Review by Peyton Bernhardt
Consistency is an objective that’s hard to achieve and a trait, ironically, equally as difficult to maintain. Hundredth have it in spades. Their new full length ‘Free’ is proof, sustaining a solid, unpretentious aggression that stands out against the backdrop of modern hardcore all the way through.
The album unveils a progression for Hundredth that shoots down misconceptions that they’re happy to settle with a generic sound. The band have transcended becoming stagnant and developed, which is most evident in vocalist Chadwick Johnson’s work. You can hear shades of recent Bring Me the Horizon and even Linkin Park in these uncleans at fleeting moments, but they still retain the raw ferocity that would have led fans to pledge an allegiance to Hundredth in the first place. The vocals branching outside of a singular style suits the melodic nature of the hardcore the band are dishing out, but also layers the LP with more complexity than just breakdowns. Having said that, there are still elements of this album as heavy as uranium, with tracks like Inside Out headbang-facilitating and circle pit ready. Aggressive and atypical structures on songs like Break Free will probably be the best reason you’ve ever pulled a muscle.
Another aspect of Free that cements Hundredth as a cut above the rest is its lyricism. The band are armed with a message of assertiveness and empowerment (see Beggar), and the LP is packed with mosh cries that intensely reinforce that. Thematically, Free truly digs deeper, with Burdens even dropping a satisfying reference to ‘The Needle and the Damage Done’. Free is a rally cry, serving as a refreshing contrast to the trending negativity and girlfriend-hostile niche expanding in the scene. It’s also Hundredth’s best release to date.
Overall, this record shows off Hundredth’s ability to produce songs that keep you awake instead of putting you to sleep and that fail to bring up any impressions of monotony. Better yet, it reaffirms the band’s tendency (and talent) not to disappoint.
