NEGATIVE MALE CHILD - "Little Brother"

Artist:  Negative Male Child

Song:  Little Brother

Album:  Little Brother
Year:  1995
Genre:  Metal / Hardcore

The mid 90's saw a new movement in hardcore.  Bands played slower and adopted a style that was ultimately metal.  Due to poor haircut choices and lyrical content, they were highly shunned by "true" metal crowds; much like the deathcore genre of today.  Bands like Bloodlet, Unbroken, Mean Season, Integrity, Starkweather and Vision of Disorder had a darker and more menacing quality than any previous hardcore bands, and were drop dead heavy.  Negative Male Child was not only one of these bands, but they just may have been the tip top of the metallic hardcore iceberg.  Their debut record, Little Brother was released on the tiny Philly label Too Damn Hype in 1995.  Just as the album came out, it seemed as if the band disappeared into thin air.  Back then there was very little info on these guys, and, today, the deepest internet searches barely even turn up an album cover, let alone anything about the band.  Yet, before they pulled their vanishing act, they pounded out one hell of a heavy, anger-drenched, innovative full length.  The first thing one may notice when getting pummeled by the colossal riffs and the gut-wrenching screams is the austere nature of this record.  From the band name, to the lyrics, right down to the chord choices, there just isn't a happy moment anywhere.  The music sways from all out brutality to minimalistic moments that create a highly original collection of bleak and depressing songs.  Not to many hardcore records make me feel like The Cure or Joy Division do.  Little Brother does.  This was a highly talented band.  Too bad they feel into a black hole because a second record would've been very welcomed.

Listen to "Little Brother" here.