Nothing You Didn't Deserve

Orange County metalcore quintet Heartist’s six song debut announces the band’s arrival with the subtly of a hand grenade. Nothing You Didn’t Deserve explodes with “Disconnected” as frontman Bryce Beckley displays an amazing duality in singing. During the guttural screaming parts it sounds as if he’s tying to exorcise a demon from his guts before shape-shifting into a melodious, boyish, high-tenor that’s reminiscent of Saosin-era Cove Reber. “Rhinestone” follows with musicianship that exercises complex rhythms and a brutal assault of guitars. Drummer Matt Marquez and bassist Evan Ranallo are so locked-in to an airtight groove that they at times play like one creature with four arms. Similarly, guitar players Jonathan Gaytan and Tim Koch seem to communicate with E.S.P. — blasting out riffs that stop on a dime and morph into dexterous, intertwining leads nearly upstaging Beckley’s schizophrenic singing style. “The Answer” is dotted with electronic flourishes that add some sonic spice before an onslaught of anthemic gang-vocals take over.