Anchor – Distance & Devotion

Reviewing the latest album from a band that significantly shaped the end of my teenage years presents a unique challenge. Anchor, a vegan straight edge band from Sweden I’ve followed since its start in 2007, has always resonated with me. By that time, I was already a vegan and drawn to the modern political VSXE scene, including bands like Gather and releases from xCatalystx Records, though I hadn’t yet embraced the straight edge label for myself. I was familiar with their drummer Mattias, through his involvement in various other bands. Anchor’s debut EP, Captivity Songs, truly captured my attention with its politically charged Swedish hardcore sound, enriched by the influence of Refused and Abhinanda in its passionate four-track demo.

The Quiet Dance, Anchor’s debut album, succeeded in positioning them as a leading force in European straight edge hardcore and one of the continent’s most active touring bands. My experiences seeing them live were memorable, but it was their second album Recovery and the phenomenal tour with Trial and Run With The Hunted that deepened my personal connection to Anchor. The transition of Mattias from drums to guitar, alongside Claes’ vocal improvements and the band’s lineup refinement, prepared Anchor for tours in Asia and beyond.

Distance & Devotion, Anchor’s third and most ambitious album, showcases their evolution. Released in April 2015 but recorded in 2013, the effort invested in refining their sound was well worth it. The album eschews an overproduced feel, transitioning from ’90s hardcore and metal to a more melodic and unconventional style. The opening track “Upstream” immediately sets the tone with its commitment to never straying from one’s path, featuring Aram Arslanian (of Betrayed, The First Step, React! Records).

This album masterfully balances the classic Anchor sound with a new melodic direction. The singles “Survive” and “Losing Faith” have been turned into official videos, likely broadening the band’s appeal beyond the traditional DIY hardcore punk/straight edge audience. The lyrics remain exceptional, and the album distinguishes itself in both musical and thematic depth. While I miss some of the urgency and aggression of earlier works, Distance & Devotion doesn’t disappoint. Nonetheless, I had hoped for a sound more akin to Run With The Hunted’s The Sieve And The Sand, which remains a pinnacle of the genre for me.