Out of all the different punk rock subgenres that exist, probably the one that is the most little known -- but probably the most ferocious -- is what is called "d-beat." Simply put, the genre's name is a nod to its forefathers,
Discharge, who trailblazed a vicious, hardcore punk style that has rarely been matched. That is, until bands such as
Disfear came along. On the group's 2008 release,
Live the Storm, the group -- which includes screamer Tomas Lindberg (
At the Gates) and guitarist Uffe Cederlund (
Entombed) -- proves that despite usually lengthy breaks between albums (such as the five years between 2003's
Misanthropic Generation and this one), the anger and rage remains as vital as ever. If you're looking for a hardcore punk release that simply explodes out of your speakers,
Live the Storm is certainly it -- as evidenced by such standouts as the album opening "Get It Off," as well as "The Cage" and the title track. If
Disfear can issue albums on a more regular basis from here on out, they could quite possibly become one of the leading lights of the hardcore metal movement. ~ Greg Prato