Palm Reader – ‘Bad Weather’

Having only just been introduced to Palm Reader last week through the introducing section in Kerrang I was more than pleasantly surprised when I received an email asking to review the bands debut album. The Woking five piece are currently being penned as the saviours of UK hardcore and with such a strong release it’s obvious why.

This ten track album only lets up for just over a minute during an instrumental track which in itself sets the tone for the last five tracks of the album which are just as insane as the first four tracks. The band have been compared to heavy weights of the genre such as The Dillinger Escape Plan, Botch and Converge and it’s not difficult to see why.

From the opening second of the opening track Unwanted Guest there is a moody undertone that is set beneath the aggression and attitude that is the first port of call for Palm Reader. Even the slower numbers on this album stink of sweaty venue ceilings and blood stained microphones just like proper hardcore should.

Palm Reader prove that hardcore isn’t about the heaviness of the riff or the bands musical competency but it’s more about the attitude and deliverance. Don’t misinterpret this the guys in Palm Reader can fucking play.

An all round great listen. 8.5/10
Chris Storey

W/ Heart In Hand & Demoraliser

30-May – Kingston – Peel
31-May – Plymouth – White Rabbit

01-Jun – Cardiff – Bogiez
02-Jun – Manchester – Satans Hollow
03-Jun – Glasgow – Audio
04-Jun – Aberdeen – Tunnels
05-Jun – Selby – The Riverside Bar
06-Jun – Sheffield – Corporation
07-Jun – Chatham – Tap n Tin