Hot Water Music nicely balances aggression and craft on "Exister," its first album in eight years. Like its signature work from the '90s, the Florida troupe pushes the boundaries of melodic hardcore without sacrificing sharp edge. The band's four original members draw up songs steeped in defiance and resolve. The title track and opening "Mainline" are lacerating displays of good ol' punk rock, yet the album overall avoids formula. In "Drag My Body" there's an air of self-purification. "Take No Prisoners" benefits from the sort of roots-music narrative that singer Chuck Ragan has been pursuing outside of HWM. While tightly focused for 38 minutes on building fortitude and bemoaning hypocrisy, "Exister" offers sonic detours. Ragan and Chris Wollard tangle their guitars and voices for alternating blasts of harmony and dissonance. Bassist Jason Black and drummer George Rebelo defy punk norms with their rhythm work. (Out Tuesday)
ESSENTIAL "Mainline"