Formed in 2018, HANDS OF ATTRITION have steadily built their own unique identity. Melding groove-metal and metalcore influences, the band injects a healthy dose of emotion to each track. Delivering a new brand of alternative metal from the heart of the UK, HANDS OF ATTRITION is keeping the legend of British metal alive.

The band members are forthcoming about their first-hand experiences with depression and addiction and the impact self-doubt can have on a person's emotional well-being. The theme of this album, according to the band, is the importance of mental health, especially for males. Wicked and sharp, the album leaves little to be desired for die-hard metal enthusiasts.

The opening track, "Consumed," has a sick intro. The track is chock full of complex and brutally intense instrumentation, including multiple well-placed change-ups. The relentless riffs and insatiable grooves immediately command the listener's attention and never disappoint. The nineties thrash and early 2000's metalcore influences are fresh and never sound dated or overdone with excellent lyrics and deep grooves.

The second song, "From The Void," is a force to reckoned with. The weightiness of instrumentation ingenious, and the change-ups are brilliantly placed. The intense vocals deliver a theatrical experience, and tight musicianship mixes with rolls of raucous drums to make this a real pit starter.

Following up "From the Void" is "Threadbare," which proved a favorite track on the album for this reviewer. Threadbare opens with a ferocious death metal vibe, driving bass, and head-spinning riffs. The vocals' intensity is impressive, and notable lyrics make this a track worthy of putting on repeat. It's not often that a vocalist can flawlessly execute violent screams, intense wails, and exceptional singing all in the same song.

Chock full of early British metal and thrash, "The Becoming" is a conundrum of influences. Razor-sharp, the song is a sort of speed metal overture, making use of a guttural chugging sound that adds an additional layer to this incredible jam track.

The sixth track, "I'm Gone," has a remarkably haunting lead-in that captures the imagination. An instant groove metal classic, the choppy guitars and deep, dark basslines showcase HANDS TO ATTRITION's ability to successfully mix genres, such as sludge metal and new wave American metal.

An homage to nu and math metal, "The Only One" boasts complex guitar work and exceptional background vocals. The ninth track on "Colder Places" invokes visions of intense pits at hard-charging live shows. Once live venues reopen, this band is one not to be missed.

Closing out the album is "Nightingale," a finale of perfection to a phenomenal metal album. A massive attack on the senses, the amalgam of metalcore and melody operates brilliantly in tandem. With serrated riffs that punish throughout, "Nightingale" a stormy trip through the realm of new-wave American alternative metal.

Fusing metal and hardcore themes with heaps of melody, HANDS TO ATTRITION have put together eleven tracks of compelling, volatile metal that explodes with energy. In this reviewer's opinion, HAND TO ATTRITION are one of the best representatives of sludge and groove metal to hit the scene in quite a while.