Review: “Finding Peace” by Desolated

After a five year gestational period, pardon the cliché but a long awaited and highly anticipated new album from United Kingdom Hardcore legends Desolated is finally upon us. Returning to their old school New York Hardcore influences in bands like Biohazard, Life Of Agony and Shattered Realm the band have made it publicly known that the intension of this is to return to the sound of their 2016 album “The End“. Underrated at the time of its release, that’s an album that has since gained the attention it deserves and if it is indeed the blueprint for “Finding Peace” then we should be in for a scorcher. There have of course been line up changes since that time and now the five piece is scattered between Sheffield and London with original guitarist Richy Unsworth and bassist Dan Ford joined by Charlie Thorpe (Malevolence) on drums, Les Law (Bun Dem Out, Fifty Calibre) on guitar and Tony Evans (Idle Hands) as lead vocalist. As if that wasn’t enough to get you excited, the record features guest appearances from members of Ninebar, Whispers and D Bloc having been mixed and mastered by Grammy nominated producer Will Putney (Knocked Loose, Body Count, Fit For An Autopsy)…

Desolated come out swinging with a bruiser of a largely instrumental Metallic Hardcore cut in “The Stomper” which stylistically reflects “Ant Pile” from Kublai Khan. Heavy on the low end frequencies it serves as a warning about the shape of punk to come before “Lessons” gives us the first opportunity to hear Evans spit venom in the place of the much loved Paul Williams. Needless to say, Evens brings his finest to the Kings table, rewarded by punishing old school hardcore riffs a plenty and a clean crisp drum sound. The epitome of Metallic Hardcore at its finest, the band even manage to incorporate a couple of gang chant moments and a downtempo finale with the verve and swagger of a well oiled machine. Maintaining the intensity with another fearsome vocal tirade “Bite Down” feels like a knock out punch from a prize bare knuckle fighter, the sonic abrasions of the guitars and bass bringing home the bacon. A well executed tempo shift injects some adrenaline and three tracks in the record is white hot.

Staccato riff breaks ride the groove of Thorpe’s drum fills as “Glass Ceiling” slaps like a woman scorned. Heavier and more aggressive this one has clearly been designed from the ground up for inciting mosh pit violence at wild shows. A politically and socially aware lyrical narrative about the cost of living crisis and the powers that be dividing in order to conquer, it not only resonates but its clever with it. A seventy five second burst of violent turbulence “Never Enough” is one that could be played twice back to back without anyone batting an eyelid. Another old school heavy hitter that beats you senseless with a powerful rhythmic drive, it paves the way for the an unexpected solo at the start of “Endless Betrayal“. A slow burn of an introduction is shattered as the drums gallop, the guest vocal appearance from Fat Tom of Ninebar fame adding a shriller vocal barrage to Evans usual bark and bite. The contrast makes a huge difference as the pair go toe to toe over the blazing riffs, the crunchy guitar tone deeply satisfying. A hilarious intro skit ushers in “Let It Slide” and the title says it all, Desolated putting on their knuckledusters and getting ready for a fight. Nitisart “Mike” Chaiburi of Bangkok Thailand Hardcore homewreckers Whispers adds a fleeting guest appearance in the final moments as the filthy riffs fly in all directions.

The final guest vocalist is Rich Ybarra from Detroit Michigan’s D Bloc who lends his throat to “Victim 2.0“, arguably the finest and fiercest cut on the record. An earworm riff reminiscent of “Old” by Machine Head with a distinctive 90’s Hardcore feel, a scream-a-long chorus and a ripper of a solo add plenty of weight to that argument but its the sheer bounce of the cut that makes it a stone cold winner. F*** club shows, this one is for Festivals like Summer Breeze in Germany where anything goes and the same can be said of the razor sharp “Enemy“. Clever tempo shifts keep you guessing with a couple of two step moments thrown in for good measure, its the push that makes you want to move. A recording of a cut from 2011’s “The Sixth Day” is an interesting choice but in “Dead End 2025” the quintet bring out their Beatdown side, reaching and touching the void into Deathcore. There aren’t two ways about it, the legendary Will Putney was the perfect choice to mix and master and he’s made sure this sounds like an absolute peach [8/10]

Track Listing

1. The Stomper
2. Lessons
3. Bite Down
4. Glass Ceiling
5. Never Enough
6. Endless Betrayal (ft. Ninebar)
7. Let It Slide (ft. Nitisart “Mike” Chaiburi of Whispers)
8. Victim 2.0
9. Enemy
10. Dead End 2025

“Finding Peace” by Desolated is out 30th May 2025 via MLVLTD