Review
Rot in Hell
Hallways of the Always

A389/Grot (2009) Michael

Rot in Hell – Hallways of the Always cover artwork
Rot in Hell – Hallways of the Always — A389/Grot, 2009

If you're not familiar with Rot in Hell, then this collection of recordings is a great place to start. Hallways of the Always compiles all the recordings the U.K. hardcore band has in one package. This compilation includes their demo 7", split 7" recordings with Brain Dead, Hordes, and The Process, as well as additional tracks not found anywhere else.

Rot in Hell offers up twelve tracks (four of them covers) of Holy Terror influenced hardcore on this collection. The first three songs are culled from the band's demo, which was eventually pressed as a one-sided 7". "Sins of Malice" was the first song I heard from the band and it continues to be a favorite of mine, recalling Ringworm's The Promise with its fusion of the intensity of hardcore and the technical styling of crossover metal. The demo featured a cover of Meanstreak's "Final Word," a nice treat for fans of the Clevo sound.

"The Barrens / Cholothrax" is taken from the split with Brain Dead. This five-minute two-song piece features some of the best guitar work on the record, including a solo that pays homage to the Melnick school of thought from which the band draws immense influence. Two songs from the band's split with Hordes are also included on this collection. "Iron Halo" is perhaps the band's most aggressive and blistering song to date; the guitars are a frenzied mess, but in a good way. This is teamed with a cover of Integrity's "Kingdom of Heaven," an extremely underrated song from that band's catalog. If you had told me that "Dyonision" was a new Integrity song I would believe you without a shred of doubt. It doesn't hurt that the song features guest vocals from Dwid Hellion; you can find this song on the split 7" with The Process, which was released earlier this year.

The remaining five tracks were never properly released, which makes this release a must have for collectors that own the rest. "Black Omega" is visceral metallic hardcore at its best - like Catharsis and Entombed entangled in a brawl. "Psionic Annihilation" is a slower moving piece, allowing the guitars to set the mood of the song with the churning riffs. "Now, Today, Tomorrow and Always" is layered with various samples and noise elements bringing to mind the Psywarfare material that accompanied many of the later Integrity releases. Covers of classics from Iron Side and Last Rights further demonstrate where the band draws influence.

Hallways of the Always proves to be a great collection of songs. For those unable to procure copies of the original releases from Rot in Hell, this makes it a bit easier. Plus you get the bonus songs. Hopefully the full-length on Deathwish is completed soon as I'm itching to hear new material.

8.0 / 10Michael • December 1, 2009

Rot in Hell – Hallways of the Always cover artwork
Rot in Hell – Hallways of the Always — A389/Grot, 2009

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