Heckle – The Complicated Futility of Ignorance – Review

Heckle

The Complicated Futility of Ignorance (Hopeless)
by Rich Romaine

The title sounds like something Victory’d release, and, surprisingly, Heckle is a lot more hardcore than I remember from Wingnut’s We’re Not Laughing With You. That platter was hardcore punk, while The Complicated Title Which Probably Sounded Profound When They First Thought Of It is flat-out hardcore. Fast, hard, angry in that positive way the kids seem to like so much, and with painstakingly deciphered lyrics so we can all shout along. Trouble is, the songs kinda blend together into one fast rhythm guitar blur with no real melodies to sink your teeth into. Not every one, mind you, but most of ’em. Long compared to early NY and DC hardcore bands (at least in their bio), Heckle have either found their style, or they’ve found a more economically viable one. Production is bright, clear, heavy in that almost metal kinda way, and really shows off the lightning-quick picking and slow “thrashy” parts, but the rest, stylistically, is an energetic constant. A bit more punctuation with group shouts, half-tempo breaks, or something would help (to these ears), but for those who like their hardcore fast and furious from beginning to end, check out the new Heckle.
(PO Box 7495 Van Nuys, CA 91409)