Gacy Threads - The Ignorance of Purity
review by: http://www.culturenorthernireland.org
For a few years, hardcore noise merchants Gacy’s Threads have been unleashing their punishing brand of metallic grind upon the receptive ears of the Irish metal community, sonically bludgeoning all who stand in their way.
Unlike many of their peers in the thriving Northern Irish metal scene, Gacy’s Threads have no small amount of crossover potential, popping up on the radars of hipsters and tastemakers alike. They are the indie fans metalcore band of choice.
As if throwing down the gauntlet, The Ignorance of Purity EP is easily the band’s harshest, most hardcore release to date. Listening to it demands a feat of endurance almost designed to test the strength of the weak-willed. Ferocious blast beats pound the listener into submission, whilst the guttural screams and barks of Aaron Vance leave claw marks upon the soul.
Gacy’s Threads’ brand of metal could not be considered ‘melodic’, and as the discordant guitars tear through the riffs, their controlled fury threatens to overcome the sound. It can all become a bit too much for the causal listener. Which is no doubt exactly what they want.
‘Black Heart’ is absolutely terrifying, a white knuckle journey right into the depths of hell, whilst ‘To the Death’ succeeds in capturing an epic sensibility, without sacrificing any of their attack.
This kind of extreme metalcore is increasingly finding a bigger audience, and Gacy’s Threads have unleashed an EP that will separate the wheat from the chaff. In all likelihood, with a release this strong, Gacy’s Thread could be gracing much bigger stages in the years to come.
http://www.culturenorthernireland.org/article/4633/music-review-singles-releases
Before listening to this EP, this writer had never heard Gacy’s Threads. After listening toThe Ignorance of Purity, he thinks he’ll be listening a lot more. What the Belfast 4 piece have created is frenetic and relentless.
Gacy’s Threads are, I would consider, reminiscent of a mathcore band. Technically they are extremely proficient. The sounds that these guys beat out of their guitars is impressive. the amount of sounds they go through in the space of 3 or 4 minutes equally so. Chaos ensues from the word-go, with the title track being the only breather in an otherwise claustrophobic atmosphere, and I mean that in a positive sense. You’re surrounded by an onslaught from all sides and when you finally get out, you want to jump back in.
The title track consists of sprawling, sludge-y arpeggiated chords and, at 1.20 seconds long, is more of a brief introduction than anything. Although it gives absolutely no hint at what’s about to follow.
One of my favourite songs on the album is, Hope Bleeds Into Despair. They get all of this sound to combine and create something that is not only extremely aggressive but still has, for lack of a better word, melody.
The Ignorance of Purity is one of those EPs that make you excited for the future of Irish metal. It combines the aggression with a relentless drive to succeed and, this results in one of 2011′s best releases.
Drop-d Rating: 9/10
http://www.drop-d.ie/gacys-threads-the-ignorance-of-purity/22466
Belfast hardcore quartet Gacys Threads have made quite a name for themselves on the Irish scene over the past four years, building a reputation based on hard work and blistering live shows. Along the way they’ve also self-released a couple of EPs, which have been rabidly received among the metal cognoscenti in this part of the world: now, ahead of the release of their first album (scheduled for next year), they’ve sought to put themselves on a more professional footing, with drummer Stephen Currie setting up his own label, Savour Your Scene – the name, in itself, a statement about the Belfast music industry, sounding a rallying call to fans, both locally and further afield (and also a reference to the band’s debut EP, 2009′s ‘Savour Your Scars’).
‘The Ignorance Of Purity’ is five of the most blistering hardcore tracks you are likely to hear this year, or any year for the foreseeable future. Very much at the core of the band’s sound is the teaming of the aforementioned Currie and bassist Ryan McGonagle, who have merged into an almost seemless single entity in driving the songs with intensity and passion (witness ‘Blackheart’ and ‘Weight Of The Wretched’). Blane Doherty’s guitar work continues to come on leaps and bounds as the sound of the band itself develops, and this is especially evident on brutal ‘Hope Bleeds Into Despair’, the aforementioned ‘Weight Of The Wretched’ and ‘To The Death’, the latter two of which certainly would give the likes of Dillinger Escape Plan a healthy run for their money.
Of course, we cannot ignore the performance of Aaron Vance, whose vocals prowl the songs with the ferocity of a recently unchained Rottweiler with the scent of fresh blood in its nostrils, with, once again, the standout ‘Weight Of The Wretched’ the best example of this.
If you think you know about Gacy’s Threads because their name and image say modern Metalcore, be prepared to think again. Bands change, and bands get better – and this one has just found itself.
They’ve successfully steered out of those youthful Metalcore influences and gone backward, in most satisfying fashion, to come up with a refreshingly new direction. Where did they go back to? Well, mostly the blistering noisecore that heralded the turn of the millennium: to wit, Botch, Burnt By The Sun and Drowningman.
Opener ‘Blackheart’ doesn’t let up for a single second, and is an effervescent start to an release that just keeps delivering. It sets out their new credentials. Chaotic dissonance while still sounding musical (a failure of so many); variety of beats and speeds; and a throat scouring delivery.
Both ‘Hope Bleeds Into Despair’ and the subsequent title track race by with such conviction you don’t pause over the typical flaws of emerging bands. FIrst, because there hardly are any, and second because their music is chock full of conviction. You get into what they’re doing.
Perhaps ‘To The Death’ returns a little to the Metalcore blueprint we’ve all come to know and grow tired of, but it’s rescued in the middle by a fantastic build and some snappy, light touch rolls that give it all a vivid feel.
This is the sound of an energetic and committed band coming up with all the goods. Just listen to that blast at the end of ‘To The Death’. It’s packed with enthusiasm and fire.
So give them a chance and pick this up, most especially if you’re not even generally into this style (or rather, think you’re not into this style – in reality it’s pure metal). There’s a blistering set of tunes in here that’ll satisfy even the most jaded. In fact maybe that’s who should hear it the most. Absolutely brilliant – and an unorthodox, chance-taking, exciting album of the month.
4.6 / 5 - Earl Grey ::: 15/11/11
http://www.metalireland.com/2011/11/16/gacys-threads-the-ignorance-of-purity/
Gacys Threads – Single/Track Review – Black Heart
Published – Oct 31 2011
8/10
Think you’re hard enough for this…?
Gacy’s Threads are a 4 piece hardcore metal band formed in late 2007. They are made up of Aaron Vance, Blane Doherty, Ryan McGonagle and Stephen Currie.
Calling out to all you hardcore fans that love growly vocals and massive down- tuned guitars – you’ll love this! ‘Black Heart’ is one of the finest metal/hardcore songs you will hear from any band in this country. Featuring hard-core punk that is just on the right side of grindcore – off-kilter guitar lines, thumping double kicks and enough sweat to drown a rat. The pleasing thing about this song is that they are not trying to be something they are not – sticking to what they love playing and not trying to over complicate things with solo’s and forced guitar parts. All these factors make Gacy’s Threads a force to be reckoned with. The most surprising thing about this track is the fact that you automatically get the chorus stuck in your head – the simple guitar (Pantera esque) and sing-along vocals benefit the band immensely. Most other bands in this genre struggle to make catchy choruses – these guys don’t seem to have this problem at all! If you are a fan of Norma Jean and Mr. Phil Anselmo’s Super Joint Ritual – you will have found your new favourite band in Gacy’s Threads. We have only one criticism about this song and it’s that the double kick doesn’t sound Fear Factory enough. Sort it out lads! (Can you tell we are big Fear Factory fans?) Great track!
Go and buy this record.
Thats all that needs to be said, its that brilliant it should be that simple. But that wouldn’t be doing Gacy’s Threads justice, the band need more hype than that. It is an astounding release in multiple ways, here’s why…
‘The Ignorance Of Purity’ is hard to pin down into one particular genre, there is far too much going on to categorize it, so lets just loosely label it as metalcore. But this isn’t your average metalcore, this metalcore is influenced by The Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die and Norma Jean, so don’t expect it to be the same old, same old, ‘The Ignorance Of Purity’ is truly insane. Not being able to label it easily is definitely a good sign.
From the ferocious vocals to chaotic riffs alongside pummeling beats, Gacy’s Threads’ are making a massive statement. This release propels them are a force to be reckoned and stands up and screams at the top of its lungs, take note of the Irish metal scene.
Its no surprise they have already played with the likes of Cancer Bats, Parkway Drive, IWRESTELEDABEARONCE and August Burns Red to mention just a few of today’s music titans. And if there is any justice, these lads should be right up there alongside those big names as soon as possible.
Gacy’s Threads have given us a monster of a record that can only just about retain its energy to the disc. God knows what this will be like live.
Be sure to check Gacy’s Threads out and celebrate their DIY attitude to touring and the scene. They deserve your attention.
Again, go and buy this record.
[10/10]
Gacy’s Thread – The Ignorance Of Purity
With more abrasive qualities than an industrial sander, comes the new EP from Belfast metalcore band Gacy’s Threads, the five track explosive bringing more damage to the senses than any release so far this year. The Ignorance Of Purity released November 1st is a monster of a release verging on a monstrosity as its angry aggressive tendencies rip apart all before and stomp all over on them for good measure. With Red Enemy and label mates By Any Means, Gacy’s Threads shows that Irish metal/hardcore is a force to be reckoned with, an energy that is coming into its prime right now with the band is leading the way.
Consisting of fierce vocalist Aaron Vance, backed by the astringent guitar devastation ofBlane Doherty, the chastising lines of bassist Ryan McGonagle, and the merciless pummelling beats of Stephen Currie, the Irish quartet have been damaging senses since they formed in 2007. Along the way to this new release the band has supported the likes of Fear Factory, Parkway Drive, Cancer Bats, Rolo Tomassi, Fucked Up, August Burns Red, Horse the Band, Today is the Day, and IWRESTLEDABEARONCE bringing Ireland to its knees as well as ventures into Hungary and soon Germany. Wider attention has come from their self produced demo, ‘Eunuch’ in 2008, a 4 track E.P, ‘Savour Your Scars’ in 2009, and a 4 track Live EP ‘Wolf Brigade’ 2010, each showing the bands marked progression and bringing more and more acclaim their way. 
The Ignorance of Purity will take that praise and following to greater heights as its triumphant brutality reaches far and wide via their new label Savour Your Scene Records. The EP is the label’s virgin release, the small indie newly set up to bring the best hard sounds Ireland has hidden to the world, and they could not have started with a better release, and with an album from By Any Means due late November the label is too going to make a big name for themselves.
The tracks within The Ignorance of Purity have taken the band’s music to yet another level, influenced by the likes of Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die, Norma Jean, and Converge the foursome instil their own unique tones and flavours to create something that is unique and rippling with pedigree sounds. The songs are uncompromising bringing everything the band can muster musically, creatively and energetically, but they are not all about raw power. Certainly they are unrelenting and barbaric at times but throughout there are melodic intricacies and perfectly harmonically structured elements that reveal a band who understand and can write strong intelligent music. You would not call them tuneful as in the sense of progressive or melodic death metal but they use melodies equally well but in less obvious and more inventive ways.
‘Hope Bleeds Into Despair’ and ‘To The Death’ are the perfect examples, both combining blistering and abrasive aggression and intricate scorching melodies and expressive sounds. The first of the two is the highlight of the EP, it is an epic in intensity that engages at every intriguing turn never giving what one expects and always proving the band knows best. None of the tracks are anthemic but the hooks and riffs within this track linger longer than most and echo constantly in later thoughts. The latter of the two has a deliciously taunting riff that beckons from amidst the bludgeoning, inviting one into more violence and punishment. With the emotive near instrumental title track, short but the perfect base for the EP, and the rampaging beasts of ‘Blackheart’ and ‘Weight Of The Wretched’ completing the line-up The Ignorance of Purity is an excellent and stunning release.
Gacy’s Threads had already given fair warning through their earlier releases of what they can do and to you; with their new EP they have truly delivered. Time to go check them out and take what they know you deserve.
RingMaster 21/10/2011
Molten Magazine Review of ‘The Ignorance of Purity’
