Frustrerad – The Truth in Lies EP
D-beat influenced hardcore punk from Ghent, Belgium.
Released on seven-inch vinyl in May 2021, The Truth in Lies is the second release from Ghent, Belgium’s hardcore punk tour de force that is Frustrerad. Despite its simplistic elements in both songwriting and cover artwork, the record is ultimately a good exercise in the rough-and-ready hardcore approach, with straight-forward riffs, energetic vocals, and pounding d-beats that remind me of early Varukers (covered on their 2019 demo) and a host of other familiar bands from past to present.
The record starts with the two-minute title track, “The Truth in Lies” which wastes no time at all kicking the record off with distorted kängpunk jams based around the classic Totalitär formula. The second and third tracks, “Sentenced” and “Land of Hate”, are slightly faster, shorter and punchier with an emphasis on injecting a sense of urgency into their sound. The last track, “Stay Free”, is another two minute banger with fist pumping motörcharged riffs and hints of Scandinavian Jawbreaker Anti-Cimex on display.
The whole record doesn’t deliver any surprises, Frustrerad is a band that takes influence of a certain style of hardcore punk and sticks to it to the end. The Truth in Lies sounds more energetic, engaging and crisper than the band’s 2019 demo tape, and I definitely dig this. A good effort—hope we see more!
