Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway
It is hard for me not to instantly be taken with a musical offering that draws from a well of inspirations as diverse as Entombed, Godflesh, Integrity, and/or possibly even Slipknot.
That’s a pretty interesting name-drop of comparative sources, is it not? I thought so too, and it is absolutely legitimate for the Philly-based Hell To Pay’s overall sound. It rages through within every second of the band’s upcoming début release, ‘bliss.‘ too.
The album is streaming here, with its aggressive post-hardcore styling and a bloodthirsty intensity, Hell To Pay delivers incessant sonic batteries without restraint. What better way for us to get to know Hell To Pay, huh?
They provide us a revealing introduction to the band, giving us a brief, but informative awakening to the fact that there is indeed Hell To Pay… both figuratively and literally. Their being a band is akin to the very embodiment of a hell made manifest, an agony-laden audio inferno of wretched, severe punishment.
Active since 2014, the Philadelphia foursome of John, Keith, Calin, and Aaron (no last names were given) have ties to the equally abrasive Jesus Piece. ‘bliss.‘ was recorded and mixed at Captured Studios by Jared Stimpfl (Jesus Piece, Tile), mastered by Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Crypt Sermon), and completed with artwork by Dom Pabon. Dave Updike (also of Jesus Piece) helped in creating sonic flavorings added to this EP’s content.
‘bliss.‘ will see digital and LP release through GTR Records on March 16th; pre-order options are available here.
