OVERPAIN - "Underrated, Overhated" Review

Hell yes! Salonica Hardcore Crew's lifers are back with a bruising full length record, so you better listen. Whenever you hear about SHC or Overpain, you can be sure you'll be getting some brutal hardcore with a "realer than real" street attitude. Yes, this is what these guys do and they do it very well, bringing it back to the roots of hardcore being, well... hard. I am fucking glad that at least someone's still here to represent the style of hardcore that I grew up with. This shit is heavy and metallic, but with an urban hip hop attitude and an undiluted dose of hardcore integrity.

Musically, Overpain is on top of the beatdown game. But actually, they've taken things a step further. Most beatdown hardcore is unfortunately kind of repetitive and pretentiously negative. On the contrary, Overpain comes at you with words of strength and honesty, and a sound that goes back to how brutal hardcore used to be: full of beatdowns but also with many old school hardcore influences. In other words, Underrated, Overhated slowly departs from typical modern beatdown and moves back to the roots of the genre and Hatebreed's Perseverence. Even though there are many beatdowns going on, the record quickly moves in a more upbeat direction that includes higher speeds at classic hardcore paces. That's what we're talking about!!!!

There is plenty of double bass action here for all you metal freaks (like myself) and a clean production that makes the drums transform into a relentless hardcore assault. The 2 guitars create a double-barrel attack that shoots straight  at you, only to be strengthened even more by the groovy-ass bass. Last but not least, Nick's vocals prove that he is a possessed madman with the heart of a sincere hardcore kid. Yes, we need frontmen like these in the scene, I mean hardcore kids that believe what they're singing about and support hardcore with their very presence.

I am not just out to praise the bands that I like (even though in this case it's easy). Overpain has reached a very high level of combined brutality and catchiness so this is pretty much perfect for fans of the style. I guess a few guitar leads here and there could add some spice to the mix and make it more catchy, but I bet these guys want their sound just heavy and straight, with no additives. The guest appearances of well-known hardcore growlers are another extra. Even though I am not the biggest fan of multiple guest appearances in hardcore albums, in this case it's all good since they just add some color and do not steal the show or nothing.

These guys are passing the record around for free, respect to them, and this record has been long due. It is a piece of current Greek hardcore that has a lot to say, so let's work together to bring it to the world cause it's totally worth it! "100% hardcore"

Overpain Bandcamp