In the world of progressive hardcore metal it seems a though every project is very heavy and very fast. This isn’t a bad thing; it’s just simply the norm when it comes to this genre. The powerful, guitar driven music intertwined with the complex structures and odd time signatures just seem too blend better when played at higher speeds. However, there occasionally comes a time when we as listeners need to take a step back, catch our breath, and slow it down a bit. So what do we listen to? We don’t want to sacrifice our hardcore spirit or image by succumbing to that Coldplay album gathering dust in the corner. Emo is okay, but you could never tell your friends or you’ll never hear the end of it. Well, ladies and gentlemen our salvation has come in the form of a Portland based hardcore project known as A Hope For Home. Their upcoming release Realis is a breath of fresh air in a world that seems to be passing us by at 100 mph.

Realis at its core embodies all of the elements we love in our hardcore music, minus the breakneck tempos we are used to in this genre. Clearly drawing inspiration from the roots of the hardcore movement, A Hope For Home have just simply slowed it down a bit to give you time to really appreciate the music. Admittedly, it’s a nice break from the pit-inducing, mind-raping speed-core that we all love. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love my fast tempo, post-core bedlam but sometimes it’s nice to just relax with a beer and listen to something a little moodier. That’s just what you get with Realis – a loud, guitar driven moody mixture of metal for meditation.

As I listened through this record, I was surprised at just how immersed I became with their sound. On paper, the concept sounds much less enticing than it actually is. If you would have told me it was a slow post-hardcore album, I would have told you “no thanks.” But it’s actually quite good. The guitar work is firm and heavy, and don’t think Winchell and Ellis go soft with their vocals. The tempo might be slower but the vocals are heavy and fierce. The slower speeds and heavy vocal lines actually give the songs a much more emotional feel.

The opening track, “Nightfall,” starts off very slow but it’s a good build up for its successor “The Overman,” which comes at you unyielding. The steady chug and heavy vocals are a mesmerizing mixture. The chorus is big and melodic, and the verses are beautifully barbarous. Most of the songs share this same feel – mercilessly moody and emotional with huge melodies and savage breakdowns, just at a slightly slower speed that we’re accustomed to. “Seasons” starts off very peaceful and quiet but hold on because it’s a trick. They bring in the heavy and bring it in hard. This was probably my favorite track, so make sure to check this one out.

There are a couple of very good, clean acoustic and piano based ballads tossed in as well, but they are mostly instrumental. This usually turns me off immediately as a listener, but speaking objectively, if you can see past the lack of vocals at the beginning of the songs, they are good songs. Tracks five, seven and nine all start off as instrumental, but kicks in after a minute or two. Good woebegone ballads for the brokenhearted headbangers out there.

So, in closing, A Hope For Home and their new release Realis stands alone in my book as the best hardcore, moody maelstrom of unhurried passive metal I’ve ever heard. Now, don’t get me wrong, this album isn’t “geriatric in the fast lane on the interstate” slow; it’s just a bit slower than most hardcore albums I’ve heard. It, however, is just as loud and heavy as we could ever want. Maybe this isn’t going to appeal to all hardcore fans, but I challenge each one of you to give it a spin. I guarantee you will like what you hear.

4.0/5