A “Keg-cellent” take on hardcore punk

Humor is a vastly underrated tool in the hardcore world. All too often, it’s a bunch of tough guys with a chip on their shoulder—which isn’t a bad thing, but sometimes being different brews better results. Ancient Brewing Tactics is what happens when one mixes good music, violent guitar riffs, blast beats and beer puns galore. From choice domestic selections such as “This Means Wort” to “Swignorant,” the band does a great job of blending serious musicianship with some light humor.

To those who have been around the scene a bit, the premise is not unexplored; bands like Alestorm and Flogging Molly have been singing about drunken shenanigans for many years. What sets Trappist apart is that they are not lighthearted in their approach, they are heavy in their delivery. Take “Frank The Tank” for example. It is a mosh-inducing frenzy of a song at the beginning with just long enough of a slow section for someone to finish their drink before hitting the gas pedal and playing at full speed again. They also take time to poke fun at Jay-Z with “99 problems (but a beer ain’t one)” by taking one of the most recognizable choruses in all of music and making it work for them.

Overall, the album is a “Keg-cellent” take on hardcore punk. These 21 songs in just over 30 minutes show many sides of the band over the course of the composition. The construction is amazing, and all the pieces are there for a great record: heavy vocals, fast tempo, ripping guitar solos, and it honors one of rock ‘n roll’s oldest companions in beer. Trappist, even though thrown together for one experimental album, has the potential for lasting success in the scene.