Review: DIVISIONS s/t 7" (Human Crush)

DIVISIONS just came through Richmond on what is to be their first and only tour and I picked up a copy of what is to be their first and only 7”, so if you weren’t one of the 10 people at Nara that night, well, your loss. The self-titled 7” is an all out rager, with four songs of fast, thrashy, dark punk with seriously blown-out production. The first side consists of two noisy hardcore songs that combine elements of d-beat, raw punk and thrash with higher pitched, evil vocals. The B-side is more of the same but ventures into grind/powerviolence territory and even offers a 5 second black metal tease before kicking back into the thrash. Containing one ex-member of Holy Mountain, this 3-piece from the Tampa area embodies the Floridian style of dark, heavy and fast hardcore. I am pretty sure I hear some bass tones on the 7” but DIVISIONS plays as a drums/guitar/vocals three piece. While the live show was intense, I feel they could have benefited from having a bassist. All in all, though, great set, great band and really nice guys. This record is available from John Fahy’s new Human Crush Recordings label.