Betrayed - Substance
Each year, one hardcore record really grabs me, heart and soul. This year, that record was Betrayed’s Substance. Featuring members of Champion and Carry On, Betrayed wasn’t around for long, putting out the Addiction EP on Bridge Nine, a split with Champion, and a full-length, Substance (on Equal Vision), before breaking up this year.
Betrayed’s m.o. was simple: short, direct songs filled with melodic hooks and catchy choruses. Substance has 13 songs of end-to-end anthems, all killer, no filler. Two of these songs were on the awesome Bridge Nine EP, which I highly recommend tracking down. I actually prefer the raw energy of the EP versions, but the Substance versions are tighter, with better production. Kurt Ballou produced the record with his signature beefy, natural sound. Normally, I’m not down with simplistic “posi” lyrics, but they’re delivered here with such passion, and over such great music, that I can’t help but get with them. I especially dig the guitar work, which often layers repeated melodies over chord progressions – simple but effective.
Betrayed – ConsequenceBetrayed – A Light in the Dark
Substance is available quite cheaply at Equal Vision and Amazon.
