Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Music Review


Deathbreaker, Disconnect
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Deathbreaker
Disconnect



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Hardcore
Album length: 10 tracks: 34 minutes, 3 seconds
Street Date: May 12, 2017


READER RATING:   


It's not often that a band enters the scene with a major-label debut as confident and self-assured as the one Washington-based Deathbreaker has created with Disconnect. While the quality of artists on Facedown Records has only improved over the years, Deathbreaker immediately demands attention as one of the label's best new bands in recent memory with a no-holds-barred hardcore/post-hardcore sound that is both refreshingly simple and tons of fun.

Clocking in at a succinct 34 minutes, Disconnect is sharp, focused, and unashamedly aggressive. Avoiding the chugging slug-fests of many of their label-mates, Deathbreaker instead focus on simple, straightforward hardcore with a strong sense of rhythm and a pleasantly bare-bones approach to riffs and breakdowns. It may not be the most technical heavy music you're going to hear this year, but it makes up for its simplicity with energy to spare. The manic crescendos of tracks like "Earthbound" are reminiscent of Norma Jean at their best, and there's a subtle but effective foundation of melody in tracks like "Blink" that grounds the music nicely. Throughout the album, there's a refreshing adherence to traditional song structure that helps keep the music focused and provides opportunities for the development of musical ideas. The end result is a coherent sense of aggression that ebbs and flows logically and doesn't get bogged down unnecessarily.

There are flaws, of course. The detuned, dissonant guitar riffs that crop up in several tracks are a little heavy-handed and repetitive. There are the occasional moments of cliché metalcore excess, including random instrumental interludes that don't add much to the album. Thankfully, those moments are short overall. Some listeners may find the slower, somewhat spoken-word vocal segments in several tracks to be a little dull, but they do offer the opportunity for some nice dynamic contrast. This is especially apparent in the aggressive buildup of "Eclipse." That being said, there's wisdom in not trying to do too much, and Deathbreaker seems to get that.

There is certainly still room to grow for Deathbreaker. While Disconnect is a tight, fun hardcore album, it may not be unique enough to stand out in the sea of similar bands. Additionally, the harsh vocals are pretty one-note and could use a little more range. Nevertheless, Disconnect is a tremendously fun album and Deathbreaker clearly have a bright future ahead of them after laying such an impressive foundation.

- Review date: 5/15/17, written by Timothy Estabrooks of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

JFH Staff's Second Opinion



With a new name and a new platform with Facedown Records, Deathbreaker comes out of the gate strong with Disconnect. One's ears are immediately pummeled with the opening track, "In Error," where the band really shows us what it's made of. "Earthbound" is one of my favorite tracks, with an Underoath-esque style of guitar riffs and dissonant chords, but with a purposefully less-polished crunch. Melodic hardcore is also an important element in Deathbreaker's sound, as evidenced in songs like "The Sinking" and the emotionally-fueled closer, "Absence." With how easy it is to be another grain of sand on the beach of hardcore bands in the world, it takes a lot to win the crowd over and keep on for the long haul. If Disconnect is any indication, Deathbreaker is a band that has a very bright future. - Review date: 5/9/17, Scott Fryberger

 

JFH Staff's Additional 2 Cents


    Sitting alongside artists such as Rival Choir and Norma Jean, Deathbreaker showcases a brand of hardcore that is both relentlessly aggressive and emotionally raw. Mixing the melodious with the chaotic is a difficult sound to pull off, yet Disconnect achieves this almost seamlessly. "Earthbound" and "The Sinking" are excellent tastes of what this album has to offer overall. Aside from a slightly predictive song structure and two less than stellar interludes (although "Son" is arguably more effective than the pedestrian "Father"), Disconnect is a highly enjoyable debut from one of Facedown's most promising new artists. - 5/21/17 Lucas Munachen

 

 

. Record Label: Facedown Records
. Album length: 10 tracks: 34 minutes, 3 seconds
. Street Date: May 12, 2017
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)
. Buy It: Merchnow

  1. In Error (4:15)
  2. Earthbound (3:39)
  3. Insight (2:40)
  4. Father (1:28)
  5. Blink (2:51)
  6. The Sinking (4:20)
  7. Son (1:09)
  8. Regret (3:45)
  9. Eclipse (4:46)
  10. Absence (5:09)

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
The Browns 25th Anniversary: Better Days Ahead [StowTown]
Franni Cash Wild Child - EP [Capitol CMG]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune Songs of an American Dreamer [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise The Live Reunion: Washington, DC [James Town]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)
We Are Messengers A Thousand Times - EP [Curb]

SINGLES
Anchor & Braille Rattlesnake - Single [Equal Vision]
ANTHNY imposter syndrome - Single [Provident]
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Eddie Clark Never Content - Single [Syntax]
Colony House Atomic - Single [Roon]
Megan Danielle Preachin' To The Choir - Single [Provident]
Drea LP & OnBeatMusic Don't Try Me (DTM) - Single [Syntax]
Joseph Habedank Running to Me - Single [Daywind]
Lonnie Hunter Flow (Like A River) - Single [Uncle G]
Kashh Kade HELP - Single [Syntax]
KB x KEANU Keanu's Song - Single [Provident]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Hand That Keeps Holding - Single [Motown Gospel]
Tim Lovelace Celebration of America Medley (feat. Charlie McCoy) - Single [StowTown]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
LO Worship The Perfect Love of Jesus - Single [Integrity]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Michael Monroe John The Baptist (feat. Chris Renzema) - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
PEABOD Summer in Seattle - Single [RMG Amplify]
Rave Jesus Walk On The Water Remix (From The Chosen) - Single [Provident]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Saints In Exile & Cutright My Dead End (ft. Jeannie Ortega, Luc DiMarzio, Jericko) - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images