Tonight: Cruel Hand at the Oriental

Bree Davies January 25, 2011 12:18PM

While Portland, Maine's Cruel Hand has been identified with that strangely durable neo-hardcore style of the last decade, the band's sound stretches a little further, encapsulating the diverse energy and heaviness of Metallica and Bouncing Souls. Vocalist Chris Linkovich leads Cruel Hand with a Black Flag-era Henry Rollins' authority, projecting his scream-talk with an exercised control over jutting guitars and plenty of tempo-fluctuating breakdowns.

The five-year-old East Coast band has produced two EPs and three full-lengths, the latest being 2010's Lock & Key, a record that wears melody proudly on its sleeve as much as rhythmic brutality. Both catchy and intense, Cruel Hand's ability to channel its array of influences into a loosely identifiable hardcore whole may be the key to their own longevity. This show is eighteen and up, and tickets are $10. Doors open at 7 p.m., show begins at 8 p.m.

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Bree Davies is a multimedia journalist, artist advocate and community organizer born and raised in Denver. Rooted in the world of Do-It-Yourself arts and music, Davies co-founded Titwrench experimental music festival, is host of the local music and comedy show Sounds on 29th on CPT12 Colorado Public Television and is creator and host of the civic and social issue-focused podcast, Hello? Denver? Are You Still There? Her work is centered on a passionate advocacy for all ages, accessible, inclusive, non-commercial and autonomous DIY art spaces and music venues in Denver.

Contact: Bree Davies

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Twitter: @cocodavies