Wounds – Die Young

Though the bold album cover and title strongly suggest that an extreme brand of hardcore is on the cards, Dublin's Wounds actually tread much more palatable ground on their full-length debut. Eye-roll provoking accounts of going out and “getting totally fucked up, man” aside, this follow up to their well-received EP Dead, Dead, Fucking Dead is technically fine; vocalist Aidan Coogan rips it hard on the mic, and the rhythm section is tight and energetic, the way a punk band should be. 

 

The problem lies more in the songwriting, which trots out too many trite clichés. Die Young isn't wholly unenjoyable; it just doesn't break out enough. The LP almost seems built to cater for misanthropic house parties like the one depicted in the video for latest single No Future. But like these kinds of shindig, it's all short-lived cheap thrills, which add up to a rather vapid and predictable experience overall.