From the EPK, “CLEARxCUT is out there to spread the message of total liberation. (Former) Members of HEAVEN SHALL BURN, IMPLORE, and KING APATHY/THRÄNENKIND started this collective, because they are dedicated to the vegan straight edge (XVX) and want to confront listeners with inconvenient truths and todays harsh reality. The German band addresses their songs and convictions to all people who are prepared to stand up for a better, fairer future - but especially to all anarchists, anti-fascists, feminists, primitivists and indigenous peoples of the world. Or to put it brief: to all defenders of our earth. The stylistic choice of means falls on metallic hardcore, which is rooted in a strong DIY ethic.”

The album has nine songs, and “The Seventh Seal” is first. They seem to have the heavy side of the genre down fairy well, but not the melodic side. There is a linear quality to the vocals as well as the music, which uses the open note too much. “Against Leviathan” is another song of straight harsh vocals but this time it moves slower. So far, however, I really don’t hear anything overly inventive about the band or the album. “Unwritten” is another slow moving song that uses the open chord as its base. Again, the vocals are unrelenting but beyond that, the song doesn’t offer a lot of creativity. “Collecting Scars” is the fifth song without much variation in the band’s sound.  “Privilege” is the first song with some variation. The harsh vocals in this song are encapsulated with a heavy emotional burden, and for the first time, I can really hear some personality from the band.

 “Putrefaction” hears the intense anger return to the fold. There is some melody in the guitar work, which is quite bright, but I say let that sound ride out and build on it. “Ghost of the Past” is another song with a deep emotional push, but it is really too short to make as much of an impact as I had hoped. “Enter Demise” closes the album; a short two-minute wrap up. I like the melodic tones presented here along with the somber sounds, but it just a bit too little, too late. What I like about the album is the band’s political stance and their principles. But supergroups, or projects consisting of well=known band members, often do not get off the ground in my experience. It isn’t a total loss, but it just sound tired and uninspired to me.