Local Review: Hard Men – Battlefield: Alabama – A Hard Men Story

Hard Men
Battlefield: Alabama – A Hard Men Story
Self-Released
Street: 01.01.2025
Hard Men = Acid Bath + Slayer

If you need something to wake you up on a cold morning when you just can’t leave your warm bed, look no further than Hard Men’s eight-track EP, Battlefield: Alabama – A Hard Men Story. It’s packed with humorous song titles to contrast the gritty, clashing sounds of the record itself. This is music made for a rage-fueled gym sesh or a head-banging evening drive. Whatever it ends up soundtracking, I’m sure it will fill your lungs up with fresh air and a deep appreciation for Hard Men’s skills and sheer force.

Hard Men is a trio from Salt Lake City made up of Josh West on guitar, Evan Anderson on bass and Whil McCutchan on drums, with all three members contributing to vocals. With song titles quoting cult classic movies such as Lethal Weapon and Pulp Fiction and a sound that’s loud and unrelenting, Battlefield: Alabama – A Hard Men Story is unlike anything I’ve listened to in a long time. 

Hard Men’s influences span across decades, from the punk staples like Black Flag, Descendents and Misfits, to the goth and synth sounds of the ’80s such as Siouxsie and the Banshees and Duran Duran. In Battlefield: Alabama, I can hear how these inspirations collide into a mix of heavy metal, industrial and screamo. Violent clashes of guitar and drums meet with deep bass lines and screams of despair, wrapped up in a cinematic world of fantasy and chaos. 

I’ll admit that I don’t typically listen to anything at this level of intensity anymore. I’m more of an easy classic rock kind of person these days, but I really enjoyed this record. It’s head-banging and motivating, total gym fuel. It’s music that makes you feel powerful, makes you feel ready to face off the killer in a horror movie or finally deep clean your depression cavern you call your bedroom. From the monstrous growls and screams to the melodic breaks, the vocals are top-notch mixed with the instrumentals, making it simply an incredible album. 

I can’t get enough of this record, and now I’m inspired to discover more music from this genre and this band. If you’re looking for something bold, different and exciting, look no further than Battlefield: Alabama by Hard Men. —Cherri Cheetah

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