Ever since emerging out of Santa Cruz a little over a decade ago, DRAIN have stuck to their DIY roots, fine-tuning a brand of fun, thrashy hardcore along the way. As a live act, they’ve become a force in hardcore. Whether that’s sharing stages with the likes of Terror, or bothering arenas supporting blink-182, the trio have left their mark. As they release their third album, ‘…Is Your Friend,’ they aim to take that same feverish live energy, put it on record and take it up a notch.
On the surface, it’s certainly achieved. Over the course of 10 tracks, frontman Sammy Ciaramitaro, guitarist Cody Chavez, and drummer Tim Flegal serve up a barrage of mosh-made jams. However, beyond Ciaramitaro’s ripping screams, Chavez’s gnarly riffs, and Flegal’s controlled chaos, there is substance to what DRAIN offers. The penultimate track, ‘Darkest Days’, charges with a metallic chug as Ciaramitaro reflects on losing a friend at just 10 years old. There are anxiety-induced instances littered throughout ‘…Is Your Friend.’ Not only does it add a vulnerability to Ciaramitaro’s words, but it also adds to the album’s overall rawness. For example, ‘Scared Of Everything And Nothing,’ sees him admit that old worries are soon replaced by something else. Later on, the lead album single, ‘Who’s Having Fun?’ provides an earworm hook with personal doubt lyrically woven in. However, true to their DIY ethos, there is a determination to Ciaramitaro’s outlook.
The lyrical dread is countered by gratitude. As a band that has gone full-time in the post-COVID years, DRAIN are living the dream. While Ciaramitaro is quick to show his appreciation on ‘Stealing Happiness From Tomorrow,’ he’s well aware that everyone isn’t on board. ‘Nights Like These’ sees him sing “They can’t stop us all, but I know they’re gonna try,” amid an adrenaline-fuelled tale of perseverance. Through ‘Nothing But Love’ to ‘Until Next Time,’ the trio’s positive vibes often come out on top.
For the most part, ‘…Is Your Friend’ is an onslaught of delightful hardcore. With all but one song lasting less than three minutes, it’s a rapid and crushing set that comes and goes in the blink of an eye. While Ciaramitaro’s scraping vocals could be polarising, he’s backed by a muscular musical pairing in Chavez and Flegal. Chavez showcases fiery solos, crunching breakdowns, and sharp thrash dives throughout. Meanwhile, there’s an energetic bounce and ferocity to Flegal’s drum work, leading the breakneck charge. It makes ‘…Is Your Friend’ to be a thrilling joyride from a band who refuse to be put down by their haters, and are living in here and now.
‘…Is Your Friend’ by DRAIN is released on November 7th on Epitaph Records.
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