Stress Positions - Human Zoo

Stress Positions 2023 full-length debut Harsh Reality left me so impressed that it made the number two spot in my end of year top 10 for The Sleeping Shaman (who I also reviewed it for).

The Chicago quartet are comprised of three former members of the band C.H.E.W. Drummer Jonathan Giralt, Guitarist Benyamin Rudolph and Bassist Russell Harrison as well as Vocalist Stephanie Brooks. Forming in 2020, prior to the aforementioned Harsh Reality we had the 2021 EP Walang Hiya which I also recommend checking out. Despite consisting of ten tracks Human Zoo is actually an EP and while the band's politics may not be to everyone's taste, it's the music that counts, so let's crack on with that.

'Sadistic' goes straight for the throat recalling Brutal Truth's classic album Need to Control with Vocals ala Kevin Sharp. This is vicious stuff and amazingly the quartet manage to outdo prior releases in terms of sheer sonic aggression. The musicianship is tight and any vague concerns that the band are about to do a 180 Metallica Black album on us are reassuringly put safely to bed. An outstanding opener. Next is the turn of 'Fragile' which is musically anything but. However despite the band's refusal to letup in terms of its musical attack, there are moments which demonstrate extraordinary dexterity, particularly Drummer Giralt who comes across like a hardcore version of Buddy Rich. Breathtaking. 'Human Zoo' is a slower paced, grinding number, having more in common with Killing Joke's brand of apocalyptic Post-Punk and Industrial Rock than the band's trademark Hardcore/Powerviolence. One of the more melodic tracks here and an anthemic beaut.

'Nakba' starts with a cool rumbling Bassline and recalls the kind of early 80's US Hardcore I grew loving. There's a definite Dead Kennedys vibe on offer and the way the track is structured, it sounds ideally suited to Jello Biafra's sarcastic sneer. In his absence, Brooks' impassioned delivery provides us with a more than satisfactory substitute. 'Blood Money' particularly the intro reminds this reviewer of vintage mid-80's NYHC like Agnostic Front, particularly tracks like 'Growing Concern'. The thrashy streetwise approach likely satisfying fans of Vinnie Stigma and co. 'Salbahe Ako' translates to I'm Savage in the Tagalog language and is described by Guitarist Ben Rudolf in a recent interview with Decibel as “a medley of noise rock, hardcore and death metal all rolled into one.” There were moments that brought to mind early Slayer from around the time of Hell Awaits, with some of the riffs sounding outright evil in spots. A track that will provide a possible entry for Metalheads. 'Kaddish' refers to a Jewish prayer that is used for mourning and this is chanted to a backdrop of news reports of the ongoing Israel/Palestine situation. Whatever your perspective on that, this is an undeniably thought-provoking and sombre concluding piece.

Oh yes, the three remixes, two of which come courtesy of Three One G label owner Justin Pearson and his Planet B project. 'Human Zoo' is given a deliciously dark Dälek Industrial Hip-Hip makeover while 'Blood Money' is a fondly nostalgic Afrika Bambaataa Electro-Funk belter. Finally we get another reworking of 'Human Zoo', this time courtesy of Human Hands, the interpretation here is not overly dissimilar to that of Planet B's but with a little Prodigy big beat slipped in for good measure. Are these remixes essential, not really. But they sure are fun.

As predicted Stress Positions have delivered yet another superb collection of Hardcore brutality but with some pleasant sonic surprises delivered along the way. One to check out ASAP.