Name: It's Hard To Have Hope
Brand: Svalbard

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

hrr232v

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Discs

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2018-05-25

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

The Orchard

Tax rate GB

UPC / Barcode

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

hrr232cd

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1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Svalbard

Genre GB

Metal

Label GB

Holy Roar

Having bemoaned the vague angst that plagues metal, the new album from Svalbard harnesses the aggression of heavy music to get several urgent messages across. How do we stop sexual assault? Is it wrong to buy designer dogs? Is it okay to use the word ‘Feminazi?’ These are the kind of questions their songs pose, with the aim to generate discussion and change through music. Hard-hitting. That’s the only way to describe this fearless second album. There’s no poetry. No ambiguity. Just direct, raw honesty as the Bristolian quartet tackle some very uncomfortable subjects head on; with sexual harassment, revenge porn and the exploitation of unpaid internships being a few of their targets. “Where is protection for the women?” screams Serena Cherry, while the band plunge into a cacophonous melancholic finale. This is heavy in the most evocative sense of the word. Certainly, an album where the blunt lyrics are equally as important as the music. Oh yeah, the music. Whilst refining their distinctive blend of euphoric black metal, post rock and d-beat, Svalbard have incorporated a few more surprising influences along the way this time. From soft, mournful singing to (dare we say) progressive guitar leads, It’s Hard To Have Hope showcases a sensitive dynamic that lends impact to its most crushing moments - of which there are undoubtedly many.

It's Hard To Have Hope

Music GB