Album Review: Rash Decision – Karōshi
Having been away on an 11 date tour across Europe, it’s hard to believe Rash Decision need to return to their regular jobs. It is, however, the reality for many an underground band, with life on the road providing a rare chance to escape normality and do what they truly love.
Which for Rash Decision is playing loud hardcore shows, to both new fans and old. In fact, the recent tour included dates in Belgium and Germany, along with venues further afield in eastern Europe such as Estonia and Lithuania.
As for everyday life, the lads are based in rural England – Cornwall to be exact. Although they’re no strangers to spending time in the back of a van. So with the release of their new album “Karōshi“ what did Europe get to experience?
Rash Decision – Karōshi
Rash Decision – Karōshi
Well one thing I wasn’t expecting on record was for Rash Decision to get heavier than “Seaside Resort to Violence/Headstrung”, but somehow they’ve managed it. The album comes at you head first, there’s no escaping the insane pummelling the release inflicts on the ears.
The speed of opening track “900 Minutes” is mighty impressive, before “The Martockian“ is somewhat more punk than hardcore. It is, however, the likes of “Buzzsaw Tomahawk“ that lives up to its name. If you’re after a go-to track for the Rash Decision experience, then look no further. The bass and drums are thrown out the speaker at intense speed, but there’s somehow still time for a breakdown and the briefest of guitar solos.
As for Rash Decision live, “Knocked Loose” presumably went down a storm during their European tour. I can envisage carnage in the pit, that’s for sure. Although what’s a few bruises here and there between friends!
Elsewhere I’m not so sure on the random samples on a couple of the tracks, but I guess they do try and break the album up a little. Then there’s the punky “Salary Man”, which at less than 1 minute long is presumably the token anti-system rant. Meanwhile penultimate track “Medium Raw“ somehow manages to take inspiration from Enya’s “Orinoco Flow”.
With the album closing on the simply titled “Strife“ things then end as hard as they started. The bands’ previous double-sided release may have taken some beating, but with “Karōshi“ Rash Decision have certainly created something awesome.
