Derelict is the debut studio album from The Nika Riots, a musical quintet from Oslo, Norway. In the broadest of terms they could be described as metalcore in the vein of genre legends Every Time I Die. Their abrasive riffs and impassioned, razor wire harsh vocals certainly evoke the chaos and carnage of Keith Buckley and Co. but it would be reductive, and just plain inaccurate, to describe them as mere imitators. The band describe themselves as playing ‘metal with a hardcore attitude’, their sound typified by heavy riffs, punchy rhythms, screamed vocals and the employment of the occasional melodic section that immediately recalls the likes of legendary Scandinavian punks Refused and more contemporary countrymen Bokassa.
A debut album carries with it a certain responsibility to convey a band’s sonic identity almost instantaneously, and opening track ‘Dereliction Beat’ accomplishes this tremendously, letting rip with a salvo of groovy riffs, searing screams and a rousing chorus that immediately conjure up visions of sweatbox venues, riotous moshing and pints being chucked all over the shop. This sense of reckless abandon runs through the entire 11 track run like a stick of rock, the ensemble seemingly worked up into such a frenzy that they could come apart at any second.
Despite the sky-high levels of intensity, the band are capable of moments of impressive restraint that prevent the record from becoming a monotone riffstorm. The use of the odd slow section, which almost always ends with an even harsher breakdown than whatever has come before, allows for a bit of breathing room before being shoved back into the aural maelstrom again. The lads are clearly also no strangers to the power of a big chorus, with singles ‘Like Swans’ and ‘Perseverance’ managing to present surprisingly anthemic refrains that will surely be belted out during live performances.
Derelict is a worthy listen for any fan of frenetic, punky metal, offering up plenty in the way of heaviness whilst still having its fair share of hooks and earworms. Combining the energy and fiery passion of hardcore and metalcore with an inimitably Scandinavian sense of fun and fury is a winning combination that excites for the duration.