METAL HAMMER MAGAZINE
July 2007
York Extreme Metallers Gain Impressive Ground
In the absence of much interesting post-hardcore, the filthy noise made by York's RSJ is just what we need. With their massive guitar tone, larynx-shredding vocals and the ability to switch with ease from atmospheric subtlety to an all-out riff storm, the band are, it seems, worhty of the hype. 'Gain To Nothing' covers much of the spectrum of heaviness, with the extreme angles of 'My Bastardised Son' making it clear why they were asked to support The Berzerker recently. On the other hand, the delicate, ice-cold chords that crop up in 'Mindprint' and 'Lo-Di' show the firm grasp RSJ have on their songwriting. All this dexterity can be a bit mind-numbing after a while - think Fantomas on cheap speed, or Meshuggah on an experimantal day - but this isn't supposed to be easy listening, is it?
Rating 8 out of 10
(writer - Joe McIver)
