Features

Photo: Errick Easterday

Writing on the site last year, I described Bruise's musical style with the following thoughts: "the moshier parts are Victory Records, circa 1995, and the quicker paced stuff leans more metal." I gotta say that I was on the money with that description, because I just heard the Indiana hardcore band's forthcoming debut full-length, Grief Ritual, and not only does the material still carry that kind of flavor, it steps it up in the songwriting department.

The album will be released by Unbeaten Records (Stigmata, Purgatory, Queensway) and I'm ecstatic to present to you the exclusive premiere of "Sands of Time," the music video for the first track unleashed from Grief Ritual.

My friends in Bruise said this about the choice of going with "Sands of Time" to introduce their labor of love. "Grief Ritual takes influences from a very wide spectrum of sounds and brings them all together. We chose to premiere the track 'Sands of Time' first because we feel like it evenly shows off all the different sounds that Bruise takes pride in."

Directed by well-known photographer Errick Easterday, the clip for "Sands of Time" mixes performance footage with a dramatic narrative, and the results are potent. Most hardcore videos are victims of their crummy budgets, but this one is a beauty.

On the lyrical side of things, Bruise vocalist Trae Roberts offered:

"'Sands of Time' speaks of themes of depression and thoughts of suicide, the lyrics basically creating a story of myself reaching out when I feel I've finally hit my limits. ‘A subtle gesture, a cry for help.’”

Grief Ritual will be released August 31 via Unbeaten Records and can be pre-ordered here.

Bruise tour dates:

6/16 MILWAUKEE, WI @ JJ'S

6/17 DES MOINES, IA @ VAUDEVILLE

6/18 MINNEAPOLIS, MN @ THE GARAGE

6/19 OMAHA, NE @ LOOKOUT LOUNGE

6/21 RAYTOWN, MO @ BUBBA SPIN'S

6/22 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO @ TRIPLE NICKEL

6/23 SALT LAKE CITY, UT @ THE UNDERGROUND

6/24 LAS VEGAS, NV @ DUSTIN'S

6/26 POMONA, CA @ PEW

6/27 MESA, AZ @ THE NILE UNDERGROUND

6/28 ALBUQUERQUE, NM @ TAMALE UNDERGROUND

6/30 DENTON, TX @ PROPHET BAR

7/1 SAN ANTONIO, TX @ MOVEMENT GALLERY

7/2 HOUSTON, TX @ THE WHITE SWAN

7/3 HOT SPRINGS, AR @ THE BUILDING

7/4 FAYETTEVILLE, AR @ HOUSE SHOW

7/5 MEMPHIS, TN @ HI TONE

7/6 ATLANTA, GA @ SWAYZE'S

Tagged: bruise