by Jare C (@jareccurtis)
If you’re unfamiliar with the music scene in western New York, it may come as a surprise to hear that current-day Buffalo is a vibrant breeding ground for hardcore. However, taking in consideration the brutal winters there, it’ll become quite clear that there is a lot to scream angrily about. Out of all of the excellent groups and bands keeping the scene spirited and alive, Science Man might be the most riveting. The band’s latest full length, Nines Mecca, is a scuzzy, high energy thrill ride that will wake you up and out of mid-winter malaise faster than any other known cure.
Self-described as “a dark, crumbling, leaky warehouse of an album,” Nines Mecca delivers as promised. The atmosphere of the project absolutely has a mildewy, bleak undertone, while the song structures are definitely best described as “riff-driven”. Whether it’s the beginning drive of “Super Charger,” the breakdowns in “The Want,” or any other choice moment of the ten song tracklist, there’s plenty of stunning instrumental moments to keep your ears glued to your headphones. The guitars on this record, truthfully, are mind blowing. They are crusty, chunky, and full of fire, setting astonishingly catchy sonic fuel to every track.
The absolute tenacity of the drumming is matched only by the unrelenting fervor of the vocals. What sets Science Man apart from a lot of other “local” hardcore bands, is that every track has a vision that is particularly distinct, where the lyrics tie into the instrumental makeup of the song, holding on to early punk’s social and political vigor. One particular standout is the closing track, “Old Timer,” an explosive song that eviscerates the subject, with the vocals plunged deeply into eruptive drums and guitar. The production, as well, is just clean enough that the listener can make out everything that is happening through the construction of any given moment, while still allowing the energy to remain raw and honest.
What makes Science Man such a critical group to watch in the scene right now is the precision at which they operate. Throughout Nines Mecca’s blisteringly fast nineteen-minute runtime, there is not a millisecond wasted. Each track punches in with direct intention and energy, and sees those thoughts through all the way to the end. This doesn’t mean that there’s no time for thundering breakdowns, needly guitar solos, and head slamming vocals, that’s all here, but everything has its place. Science Man isn’t just a great band out of Buffalo, they’re a great band that is pushing hardcore towards its next renaissance, and that’s going to be a terrific, spine-chilling sight to see.