Carpathian - Isolation

Carpathian is a band that has been getting a lot of press lately, and for good reason. Working hard to get to the top of the pile of Australian hardcore bands, Carpathian recently joined the Deathwish Inc. roster and toured with Shipwreck throughout Australia and New Zealand. Currently, they are on a short break before hitting up Europe for the second time with Have Heart and Cruel Hand. Not bad for a band from a continent with little reputation for producing notable hardcore bands.

'Isolation' is Carpathian's second full length, released originally by Resist Records in Australia and New Zealand, Deathwish Inc. brings this record stateside very soon, (Nov. 11th) and it is a band worth checking out.

'Isolation' is an undoubetdly powerful record, Carpathian's smooth blend of melodic hardcore and some heavier aspects of a metalcore act create an engaging listen that I'm sure a lot of people will find comfortably fit their listening tastes.

It opens up with 'Isolation', a brooding, building, intense track that goes into what I see as the best song on the album. 'Cursed' is pummeling attack that never lets up, the desperation and hate ring out with this song, and the guest vocals from JD of Shipwreck are a perfect accent to Martin Kirby's (Carpathian's vocalist) assault.Patrick Flynn of Have Heart shows up late in the album on the track 'Ceremony' to great effect, another great track amongst the 10 great songs here.

For the most part, this album is a freight train of aggression and emotion that moves along at a steady pace, but they aren't afraid to slow things down, and there are definitely some heavier moments on this record. These parts bring me back to bands like old Poison The Well for some reason, but not negatively. It's variety that works with this record and this sound. Carpathian, while not groundbreaking, have crafted a sound that is easily, at least to my ears, unique.

Overall, I think this is going to be one of the best albums of 2008. If you're a fan of hardcore in any respect, you would be doing yourself a disservice by ignoring this band or album. It's heavy, it's melodic, it's furious and it's moving. Check it out.

Carpathian on MySpace
Deathwish Inc.
Pre-Order @ Deathwish Inc Estore [11/11]
Resist Records