LP Review: Death by Horse - Reality hits hard (2019) (English)

Time to kick some ass! Death by Horse from Southern Sweden have released their second longplayer via the great label Twisted Chords. After being nominated for Sweden's best newcomer act two years ago the band went into songwriting again, and is now presenting twelve brand new songs that basically two messages: Punk Rock is fucking alive, and reality hits hard.

Death by Horse play fast, driving, and melodic Punk Rock with some Hardcore influence here and there, one foot on the throttle, and the other one ready to kick ass. The fast beats infectious and easily galopp over the record. Guitars and bass are creating a melodic multi-layer scape of distortion and crunch with some clean parts from while to while which allow the listener to take a litte breath before the next storm. The singer's voice adds up perfectly to the sound. She mostly sings in a strong but harmonic manner. I'd locate the voice somewhere between Brody Dalle and Cecilia Boström. Also the use of backing vocals is flashy and creates a beautiful feeling that reminds of Skate Punk from the era when skateboards were short and slim.

Also I am grateful that I learned a new insult litening to the album. I cannot wait to yell "You cow titty sucking, fucking mestruation eating freaks" at some arseholes. Just beautiful. In general this line is a good sum-up to the atmosphere presented on "Reality hits hard". Death by Horse created a musical raised middle finger against a ton of people and things. There's the narcissists, drug victims who don't get their shit together, cancer itself, boredom, mysoginist sexists, boredom, and many more arseholes and annoying instances.

Despite all the negativity that could be expected when addressing these topics, Death by Horse managed to present a worth listening album with lots of tracks that immediately make your hips and feet move to the beat. It only takes a mayimum of two times listening to the tracks and you will immediately start humming, dancing and singing along with the chorus. Yes, Death by Horse are poitning their fingers and fists at a lot of shitty things going on in this world, but also they don't give up having fun and enjoying the upsides of existence.

On a dozen tracks and a bit more than half an hour of playtime the band is producing a lot of joy, but also lots of opportunities to reconsider the way things are and what to do about them. I am very delighted by this LP. I love the strong and intense Punk Rock attacks, the Cross-Over-like breaks, the Hardcore and Skate Punk influences, the humour, the messages, and the variety. With "Bored" and "White Christmas" there are two slower songs on the record which I both like a lot. The only song I cannot enjoy too much is "Little Boy", but that is just because I am not the biggest fan of Ska-Punk.
"Reality hits hard" is a great record, both for listening to alone and thinking about the lyrics, and also for your next house party.