Young And In The Way have been not so quietly making a name for themselves since their debut "Cloven Hoof" in 2010. Since then these North Carolina natives have been quickly writing and releasing new material. Among those releases were two LP's, "Amen" in 2010 and "I am Not What I Am" in 2011. Both records saw extremely limited pressings and were only readily available via download. Now A389 Records has stepped up and instantly made both album attainable with a double LP release due out at the end of January.
For those unfamiliar with Young And In The Way's sound, the most constant description I've seen is black metal inspired hardcore. The dark overture sometimes comes off a little deceiving. Most of their songs are standard one to three minute bursts of hardcore ferocity undoubtedly layered heavily by metal. However, there are songs that seem to overwhelm the release like the closing thirteen minute track "The Becoming" on Amen. That is where the majority of the black metal influence is heard not throughout the majority of the albums. Sure these guys are playing "dark" hardcore, whatever the fuck that means, but it isn't all gloom and pussy crying.
"I Am Not What I Am" is in my opinion the stronger of the two LPs. Not a big shock given the chronological order of the recordings. It does however start off with an incredibly stupid fucking six minute track of that "tortured" and dramatic shit bands are all about. Sure it sets the atmosphere for the rest of the record, but I fucking got the point with the album artwork, title, band name etc.
When the music finally starts the band is firing on all fucking cylinders. The pace seems to have picked up from "Amen" to "I Am Not What I Am" and while it wasn't a necessary alteration, it is welcomed. Young And In The Way have a lot in common with their A389 label mates at their faster moments, but there is something different about their song structures that I just can't put my finger on. The groove and riffs of some songs are just more absorbing than most other bands.
It isn't often that I take the time to review reissues. Given the restricted initial release of both records this feels more like an official release than anything else. With the amount of attention A389 is getting right now, hopefully it will allow Young And In The Way to reach the audience they are aiming for. Both albums are exceptional and deserve this proper release.
***Both albums and their newest EP released in December 2011 appear to be available on their Stereokiller page.
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