Reaching Hand

This is the debut EP from female-fronted Portuguese hardcore outfit Reaching Hand. The disc's five songs bleed ferocity and intensity as vocalist Sofia O belts over melodic guitars and galloping drums in a vein similar to Paint it Black and Chain of Strength. The quartet stay true to the youth crew sound and conduct with "Insight," "What We're Missing" and the title track, all of which are reminiscent of hardcore acts from the early '90s. Besides the sometimes-shrill vocals, the biggest problem with Threshold is that the band sound too similar to their role models, adopting the subgenre's typical format of vigorous speed and predictable breakdowns. The lyrical content doesn't stray from the norm either but the songs are still powerful in their own right and the album is appreciation-worthy to any hardcore enthusiast. Ray Cappo would be proud.