3ND7R – DEMO

If these guys had been around in the ’90s, their demo tape would have undoubtedly been featured in the early issues of Inside Front or Dwid Hellion’s Blood Book zine. 3ND7R delivers a crushing five-song demo that channels the metallic intensity of titans like Ringworm, Gehenna, and Integrity, while also drawing heavily from the Belgian H8000 scene’s heavyweights such as Arkangel, Congress, and Sektor.

Hailing from Padua, Italy, the band’s cryptic name translates to “Trendsetter” if you read the numbers in Italian—a fitting moniker for a group carving out their own space in modern hardcore. The demo kicks off with “Enter 2037,” a brooding synth-driven intro that sets the tone with its ominous atmosphere. From there, the record erupts into an all-out assault of metallic hardcore. The band weaves in crushing mosh parts, relentless riffs, and gruff, abyssal vocals straight out of the ’90s Holy Terror playbook.

Tracks like “Fantàsia” and “Survival Research Unit” stand out as highlights, showcasing a perfect balance of punishing heaviness and intricate, dystopian themes. The lyrics follow a futuristic narrative, embracing what the band describes as “meta-hardcore from the future past.” While dark and dystopian, the lyrical content doesn’t feel pretentious or overwrought. Instead, it aligns perfectly with the music’s sense of urgency, adding depth without distracting from the relentless sonic onslaught.

This demo tape is a throwback to an era when metallic hardcore was at its most feral and impactful. If you’re into heavy, dystopian hardcore with a sound steeped in both Holy Terror and H8000 traditions, 3ND7R’s demo is not to be missed. Dark, heavy, and unapologetically intense, this is a release that shouldn’t be slept on.