Origin:	Chicago, IL, USA
Genres:	Metalcore, Thrash Metal

Hurtlocker

Hurtlocker formed in 1998 and after several years of moving up the local ranks, have finally released their debut album, Fear In A Handful Of Dust, in 2005 on Napalm Records (an atypical signing for a label that normally specializes in Euro gothic bands). Handful Of Dust isn't quite the standard metalcore release, as musically it's more rooted in vicious old-school thrash (bordering on death metal riffing), though the vocals are unmistakeably in the metalcore style. The vocals are one-dimensional even by hardcore standards, rendering the songs very samey, but there's no shortage of potent thrash riffs here, as well as generally tight musicianship and a fine, crunchy production. A good first effort, though they'll need to branch out and vary their sound more (particularly the vocal approach) if they want to stand out from a crowded metalcore field.