White Lung Deliver Clear Vocals and Hardcore Intensity

Deep Fantasy the third album by Canadian punk band White Lung combines the high pitched, supersonic guitar components of metal with the lightning drums of early 80’s hardcore giants like Minor Threat.  The quartet has been at it since 2006 and has three full lengths under their belt, all of which have received critical acclaim.  Their latest, just released in June of this year is a savage display of what makes hardcore so great.  Lead singer Mish Way delivers her vocals in a whiny squeal but sounds amazingly close to Meredith Graves while keeping her words clear and recognizable.  Notable tracks off Deep Fantasy include “Down it Goes” and “Just for You” which have superb sing-a-long choruses and are prime examples of the caustic intensity seen across the whole album.  Hardcore has always been a misunderstood genre and is difficult to do right but White Lung has struck up a balance which sacrifices lo-fi sincerity for pure, raw intensity.  While many bands in the genre trade clarity for breakneck speed and power, White Lung manage walk a line between their ferocious sound and Way’s clearly stated words.  It’s refreshing to hear a hardcore band find this balance incorporating rock and heavy metal influences with precise vocals similar to early bands like Morris era Black Flag or the Dead Kennedys.  All that said, the band clearly represents the direction modern hardcore is taking and overall, I’d say it’s an impressive one.  I’d love to attend one of their shows to see the crowd’s response as the attendees of hardcore shows are the unofficial “fifth member” of the group and the force they add to the music only serves to enhance the band’s sound and potency.  I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on White Lung and would love to see other hardcore bands adopt the precision and tightness seen on Deep Fantasy.