by Layton Guyton (@layotn)
Omaha hardcore veterans BIB’s latest EP, Biblical is a minefield of razor-wire riffs and ankle-snapping breakdowns. The quartet’s latest offering comes out on Quality Control HQ, a London-based hardcore label, and is inventive and ruthless from front to back. The adrenaline shot of opener “The Circle” hits the bloodstream immediately and carries right through the rest of the tracks. “Bitter Mind” features some momentary singing (!) with a single, clear voice floating over the carnage for a second, before it disappears, drowned out by force. “That’s It for the Other One” is a highlight, exploding out of the gate at high speed, then settling into a gnashing groove.
The interplay between vocalist Nathan Ma and the rest of the band (Jonathan Cobb - guitar, Bill Libermann - drums, Brock Stephens - guitar and bass) is fantastic. The band serves as one massive, pummeling rhythm section, executing breakneck beat changes often and with ease. Ma roams free, spreading chaos with glee, spewing flesh-melting “bluuuuughs” into the pit. Watch your toes. As dark and vicious as it all sounds though, it's equally invigorating. The sound of the EP conjures images of a classic gory horror flick; that inexplicable way that low-budget exploding heads can make you say “this is badass.”
These guys have spent years honing their sound (their first release was in 2015) and their chemistry shows. They clearly remain committed to not repeating themselves though. This new release stands far apart from their fantastically scuzzy, feedback-filled 2020 album Delux, with a more hi-fi sound, and some new melodic layers in the mix, while retaining just as much of a sharp edge. Biblical will have you running through a wall for fun.