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Six years ago, The Ghost Of A Thousand, one of the most exciting and inventive bands in the UK hardcore scene, announced their imminent breakup. Now, five years since their final shows, it is wonderful to see frontman Tom Lacey back and doing what he does best, namely screaming until his lungs fill with blood. Colliding with your senses like a punch to the neck, Yards’ debut album is abrasive and sharpened, jammed into your ear like Jagged Metal Krusty-O. The gnashing of teeth and crashing cymbals keep the whole record on edge as Tom’s strained, throaty vocals permeate through the assault, with instruments dripping with sweat and spit. It’s a shame that the muddy production hinders the impact of the band’s laser-targeted attack, as they weave in and out of hardcore and touch on doomier, less aggressive expressions. That said, Excitation Thresholds would still beat you in a fight.

Luke Morton joined Metal Hammer as Online Editor in 2014, having previously worked as News Editor at popular (but now sadly defunct) alternative lifestyle magazine, Front. As well as helming the Metal Hammer website for the four years that followed, Luke also helped relaunch the Metal Hammer podcast in early 2018, producing, scripting and presenting the relaunched show during its early days. He also wrote regular features for the magazine, including a 2018 cover feature for his very favourite band in the world, Slipknot, discussing their turbulent 2008 album, All Hope Is Gone.