ALBUM REVIEW: Missing Link – Watch Me Bleed

Sometimes the day presents us all with challenges and we just have to throw the tedders into a pit. For days worse than this, there are Missing link. One of the most “unga bunga” ignorant hardcore bands I've ever seen play (American Hardcore Festival 2023). Having the chance to see their first album again, Watch me bleed (Triple B Discs), is an absolute privilege. Eleven tracks (twelve if you count the hidden track) of pure violence and aggression will ram into your ears and make no apologies for the disturbance.

“Scraps For The Dog” is a double-sided title which represents the obvious Hardcore side of Missing Link but also some riffs which certainly come from Slam. The speed changes between different sections of the song will have you running in a circle one second, then throwing spin kicks the next.

“Another Cross” might be the best track Watch me bleed and not just because the album title seeped into the lyrics. The syncopation of the opening riff has such a Nu-Metal feel that my inner child lit up thinking it was a start. Deftons blanket. Instead, there's a catchy guitar lead that plays during the chorus that I can't help but whistle.

“I Want To Kill You (Pt. 2)” is the most Death Metal track on the record with an opening riff that could have been on a Internal bleeding save. The breakdown at the end is so short but probably for good reason: if it exceeds a few seconds there will be a murder in the pit.

Having only existed since the pandemic era, Missing Link proves they are the bridge between hardcore and slam with their debut album. There's not much variation from track to track outside of guest spots, but musically they certainly follow a concept that works. If you like hardcore, this can be very fast, then brake to a devastating breakdown with a few choice guitar riffs with a tremolo.

Don't sleep on this group.

It's fair to say that the Northeastern United States has some of the best hardcore in the world and Missing Link has added to that argument.

Buy the album here:

8/10
TIM LEDIN