Boston’s Karate
Steve has been pushing riff-heavy metal since 2015. The band is built
around guitarist and vocalist Ben Davis,
lead guitarist and vocalist Robb White,
bassist Earl Brown, and drummer Zach LeWinter. Their direction comes from death
metal, thrash, hardcore, sludge, and the aggressive side of the Massachusetts
scene. Bands like High On Fire, Mastodon, Chimaira,
Arsis, Darkest
Hour, Shadows Fall and Unearth sit close to their style, while the band’s
own live presence across the Northeast has helped them develop a tight and loud
identity. After two previous albums and plenty of shows with local heavy
hitters, the four return with their third full length “Time Under Tension”.
“Time Under
Tension” moves fast and keeps the riffs up front. The songs strike immediately
with an energetic blend of melody, grit and metallic punch. Karate Steve uses their influences in a direct and
unpretentious way, moving from driving grooves to sharper aggression with no
hesitation. Vocals and guitars trade control without slipping into chaos,
instead giving the album a solid pulse that carries through from start to
finish. The band’s approach is straightforward and compact, the kind of sound
that works well on stage and comes through clearly in the studio.
There is an
overall intensity that runs through the album, the kind that encourages full
volume listening. Karate Steve goes straight
for impact every time, and “Time Under Tension” maintains that attitude
throughout its short runtime. Their experience shows in how confidently they
attack each idea, without adding extra frills or unnecessary detours. It is the
sound of a band that knows its lane and enjoys pushing forward with force.
“Time Under
Tension” is a compact and lively release from a band that clearly thrives on
riffs and direct songwriting. It stands as a solid piece of modern heavy music,
loud and punchy, made with the intention of keeping heads moving and rooms
shaking. The band already has shows lined up around the Northeast, which suits
this material perfectly. Karate Steve delivers
an album that hits quickly, lands with weight and keeps the volume up.
Score: 7.0
https://karatesteve.bandcamp.com
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