Album Review: Zulu – A New Tomorrow
Reviewed by Dan Phipps
They have been one of the hottest names in hardcore over the last couple of years. They have a couple of EP’s to their name and are known for rawkus and energetic live shows and have caused a raised eyebrow or two from a certain band from the 90’s with one of their merch designs. The band in question is Zulu and they are set to release a full length record in March titled A New Tomorrow.
The record opens with 2 polar opposite instrumental tracks 'Africa' a beautiful melodic piano and violin piece is an extremely well crafted opening song which leads into 'For Sista Humphrey' which turns the tables into an intense volatile sounding blast of music. This is just the start from here on, A New Tomorrow takes you on a journey as the album showcases Zulu’s abrasive, volatile style as the band bombard you with their own flavour of power violence fused hardcore, which also includes sampled sections of Reggae, Soul and R&B between tracks to add further diversity to the records sound. The tracks are short and sharp with a harsh raw guitar sound and topped with pounding energetic drums. The album is very similar to the likes of Infest & early Napalm Death.
When required Zulu also drops huge heavy breakdowns to really flip the tempo on its head and give it in places a more metallic vibe. Lyrically Zulu have previously focused on the ongoing issues around the mistreatment of people of colour both within the US and also further afield. This subject matter is still a focus point on the record and you would not expect the band to ever deviate from this while these issues remain a regular occurrence, however the band have also looked to more positives within some of the albums subject matter. Topics such as unity and love within their respective community, and wishing to celebrate their rich and vast culture. The skit 'Mist I Only Share my Pain' I took as the band wish to deviate at points on the lyrical theme for this record and needless to say the lyrical themes on the record are as important to it as any musical notes which are played.
A New Tomorrow is a savage, abrasive and furious set of tracks. It contains a rawness to it, it remains honest to the style but modern enough to not sound old or dated. Most importantly this record has reel feeling an emotion within the collection of tracks and that is the biggest plus for me.
