Review: Bitterman “Demonise”
You could say Bitterman are somewhat of a Portsmouth supergroup. Featuring members that are no strangers to the local punk/hardcore scene. Individually they’ve contributed to the SLM, Battery Hens, Joythief, Hack Job, Shooting Fish and many more at some point or another.
Upon first listen it’s soon apparent how the vocal range of Rob Luther is fundamental to the Bitterman “Demonise” album. While his screams will be familiar to fans of the zombie shark loving SLM, leaving his guitar behind gives Rob time to develop those more guttural roars. It’s both these deliveries that give the immediate impact on opening track “Hallowed Ground”.
Among their influences, Bitterman proudly state Therapy? and this certainly comes across two songs in with Dave Sloan’s initial riff on “Fever Dreams”. The jagged edginess of the pre-Troublegum era in particular, rather than that of say “Infernal Love” or “Semi-Detached”.
It’s probably this slightly 90’s vibes that makes this release, along with the vocals, different to some of the other hardcore bands they’ve worked.
Bitterman – “Demonise”
As for lyrically “God is Dead” is the track you’d most likely find yourself singing along to at a live show. Albeit not a song to be confused with the latter-day Black Sabbath number.
Having said that, as with many hard rock band, the Portsmouth based Bitterman still show their appreciation for Ozzy and the boys. While there may not be any faux-American accents on the vocals, musically the likes of “Crayons” certainly pay homage to everyone’s favourite heavy metal Brummies.
This is followed by “Angor Perpetua” which has less of an immediate impact, but in part that’s only due to “Crayons” being a finely crafted number. Probably because almost every other song on “Demonise” is less than 2.5 minutes, so at twice the length it’s somewhat epic by comparison.
If at any point you’d even begin to question any strain on the vocal cords, “Just so You Know” pulls you back in. Then there’s another twist as the appropriately titled “Ender” completes the Bitterman experience. Only this time half spoken word. Although you don’t need to wait long until those vocals bring us back round to where we started.
Bitterman “Demonise” is out now – download it here.
