Another band from Virginia has caught my attention. Hardcore punk outfit Arlomine have just released their new album, Francis Frankenstein, and this is definitely not a record for fans of long instrumental passages. Nine songs packed into just under twelve minutes deliver a relentless barrage of raw anger, political commentary, and, above all, uncompromising energy.
Arlomine deal in razor-sharp DIY hardcore punk. Fast riffs, breakneck speed, and absolutely no filler. Lyrically, they take aim at authority, imperialism, police brutality, and social apathy. Their previously released single „New World Order“ already hinted that the band had no intention of holding back, either musically or lyrically, and the full album only reinforces that impression.
Released independently at the end of June, Francis Frankenstein is exactly the kind of record that either grabs you instantly—as it did me—or leaves you wondering, twelve minutes later, what just hit you and whether you should play it all over again. If you’re into today’s American hardcore, Arlomine deserve a spot on your radar. There’s something about this band that I can’t quite put into words, but whatever it is, it keeps me coming back for more.
