Hard Times Hanging at the End of the World

Brooklyn's metal darlings Children melt face with the swelling, epic guitar duels of Hard Times Hanging at the End of the World.

From the sound of Children’s debut album, this Brooklyn-based trio could’ve stepped out of a time machine, straight from 1984; Hard Times Hanging at the End of the World is pure old-school thrash, with all the propulsive purpose and venomous fury that implies. Sonically sparse, there isn’t enough fat on these guys’ music to grease a cookie sheet, and even despite the extended running time of some tracks, they don’t waste a note. Opener “Advanced Mind Control” is an epic death trip that rushes forward on the wings of Skyler Spohn and Jonny “Rad” Ollsin’s dueling axes as Adam Bennati lays down tracks with his steady rhythms. It’s got as many movements as classical music, but without any of the pomp. The title track subtly apes Metallica’s classic “Battery,” with an extended Spanish guitar opening before full-on headbanging riffs explode. Listening to Children is like running for your life—terrifying and exhilarating all at once.