Converge - No Heroes (Epitaph)

Converge has been traversing the country’s vfw halls and church gyms for well over a decade, long before most readers were even claiming reign over the tetherball court, let alone “the pit.” Their second Epitaph release as a four piece, recorded in guitarist Kurt Ballou’s Godcity studios, finds a welcome home among the indistinguishable sea of mediocrity in today’s heavy music. While previous releases have shown that punishing music can transpose hauntingly melodic guitar-driven melody with a barrage of blast beats and panther-like screams, no heroes proves that the band is still capable of refining such a difficult formula. “Lonewolves” resembles early hardcore punk stylings, while the emotionally devastating “grim heart/black rose,” benefits beautifully from a guest appearance by Jonah Jenkins of only living witness fame. My only slight objection was a similarity of riffs on no heroes’ title track and you fail me’s “When Eagles Become Vultures.” Regardless, No Heroes manages to push the boundaries of previous releases, while staying in a direction true to the band’s devoted fans. Personally, I found the release stronger than You Fail Me, but not quite topping the Jane Doe. No Heroes once again proves that there is more to intensity than push-button triggers and distortion.

- Tyler Mooreshroom