Review: “Belly Of The Beast” by Combust

Recorded with Zach Miller (Gel, Fat Fuk) at Landmine Studios in Ewing New Jersey and featuring a myriad of guests, “Belly Of The Beast” is a sophomore album from New York Hardcore crew Combust that takes the time honoured sound and attitude while having lyric that reject fake personas and addressing personal struggles. Vocalist Andrew Vacante, drummer Dave Sarnes, bassist Eric Hoyt and riff merchants Peter Martingano and Alex Basovskiy have been setting buildings on fire since their first demo landed in 2018, maintaining perpetual forward motion with regular output and energetic shows ever since…

It feels like something of a rarity these days but Combust open up with the title track “Belly of the Beast“, a cut which has crossover Thrash appeal and a timeless Hardcore quality to it. Straight out of the gate it’s a cut that could have aired on MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball back in the late 80’s or early 90’s and no one would have batted an eyelid. The riffs are slick, the influences are clear and while it sounds like a mid album cut, it paves the way for the rest of the record very well. A bass solo from Hoyt brings “Everyone’s Enemy” in, the decision to let the four string bleed out in the mix something that adds another dimension to the rhythmic gymnastics and tight grooves. It’s one of those which actually cuts short, the riff in the final moments one that you want to hear more of. The first of the guests is Jay Peta of Mindforce who appears on “Swallowing Swords“, a bouncy number with staccato riff breaks and two step moments with a stop start approach in the first half which is a nice change up. Peta gets his own verse while also offering screamed backing vocals to give this one a little more punch which is by no means a bad thing before the ode to New York Hardcore that is “N.Y.H.C.” comes out swinging. Danny Diablo of Crown of Thornz and Skarhead is a logical choice for this one, the Hardcore Punk riffs giving it a real verve and swagger as Vacante explains exactly what the genre means to him. A cut that you just can’t help but crack a smile to, it’s as much fun as you can have without puking on a roller coaster ride.

“My dreams only form a silhouette of my regrets, I need a reason to hold on to hope Cause hatred is all that I’ve ever known!” barks Vacante on the gritty and personal “Truth Hurts“, a cut that resonates lyrically while having instant sonic appeal. There is a certain almost melancholic quality to the approach with the band keeping things stripped back to allow the vocals to pierce the ear drums, the riffs slick as the bass rumbles and drums pound. An almost rap style flow at points to the lead vocal as well as gang chants add a sparkle to “Fear in the Streets“, a cut that screams for societal change as humanity sows the seeds of self destruction. The lyrics are there for analysis should you so desire but they’re not overpowering enough to make you feel like you’re being force fed, which is a nice touch. The second of the guest appearances comes with “Our Own Breed“, upon which Rory O’Neill of Imposter lends his throat. His gruff bark and bite add more depth to vocals and stand in stark contrast to Vacante’s higher pitched tones. That seems to draw more oomph from the band in turn with more to the guitars this time out while the message stands out loud and clear, just like on “N.Y.H.C.” which adds to the fun. A classic introduction form rapper Rome Streetz sets off “Tiger Style II“, Ryan Griffith adding a verse but what makes this one is a couple of fleeting moments of lead guitar which set it apart from the wolf pack out for blood. It’s a small point of difference but its that kind of nuance that makes all the difference.

The same crossover Thrash appeal that the title track has is in evidence on “Crossed Off” which features former Dmize vocalist Chiqui Rodriguez. He gets a verse on a fierce cut frontloaded with razor sharp riffs as Vacante vents his spleen about people talking a good game, not afraid to speak the truth when all we’re faced with is lies. Arguably the moment which stands out the most is “Paid with Pain” which finds Scott Vogel of Terror gracing us with his presence as the duo scream about there being no gain without pain. A catchy tune that doesn’t obey any usual song structure, its one that will be all about the high fives and stage dives when played live. Wait… aren’t they all? Fleeting leads rear their ugly head in the punchy “Distorted Dreams” another one which resonates with the desire to find something more in something real. There can’t be many who haven’t felt like that at times, especially when escapism in scrolling social media or video games is right there. A couple of gang chant moments and a solo elevate “Atlas” alongside an earworm riff to make it one of the albums finest moments. You can just picture JJ Peters loving every second [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Belly of the Beast
2. Everyone’s Enemy
3. Swallowing Swords (ft. Jay Peta of Mindforce)
4. N.Y.H.C. (ft. Danny Diablo of Crown of Thornz, Skarhead)
5. Truth Hurts
6. Fear in the Streets
7. Our Own Breed (ft. Rory O’Neill of Imposter)
8. Tiger Style II (ft. Ryan Griffith and Rome Streetz)
9. Crossed Off (ft. Chiqui Rodriguez ex-Dmize)
10. Paid with Pain (ft. Scott Vogel of Terror)
11. Distorted Dreams
12. Atlas

“Belly Of The Beast” by Combust is out 7th March 2025 via Triple B Records and is available over at bandcamp