JUSTIFICATIONS is a new band out of Manchester, New Hampshire, built around vocalist Guy Kozowyk and guitarist Kevin Rampelberg — both founding members of THE RED CHORD. They are joined by guitarist Mark MacDonald of AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE, bassist Jason Edney and drummer Tony Hersey. First single "Urge To Kill" is out now.
What they are playing is metallic hardcore, and the band point at NAILS, TERROR and TURMOIL as the coordinates. It is a long way from the mathcore THE RED CHORD were known for, and that appears to be the point.
"JUSTIFICATIONS is intended to be direct and fun," Kozowyk said. "A knee-jerk reaction to the world around us." Rampelberg put the same thought in terms of what it does to an audience: "The music is more direct, and I think that naturally allows it to connect with people in a different way."
"Urge To Kill" runs two minutes, with double-bass flurries and a guitar solo crammed into the middle of it. Kevin Billingslea, who has worked with LAMB OF GOD and CRUEL HAND, recorded it; Chris "Zeuss" Harris, whose credits run through HATEBREED and ROB ZOMBIE, mixed and mastered.
Anyone who knows THE RED CHORD will place Kozowyk's voice immediately, and the lyrics land in the same register — sarcasm and blunt statement arriving in the same line. "Your face greets me like an ulcer, starts to wreck my day / I'd rather play in traffic than see your stupid face," runs the verse. Despite the title, the song is about not acting on the impulse.
The enunciation is deliberate. "I was on a mission to deliver lines that sounded abrasive but were also legible," Kozowyk said. "I have a great appreciation for vocalists who are both brutal and can enunciate. If you actually have something to say, I want to hear it."
A debut album is due in 2027 on Black Market Activities, the label Kozowyk runs. Before that there are two shows on the books, and the first is tonight.
JUSTIFICATIONS live dates:
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 19 | Bensalem, PA | Broken Goblet Brewing (w/ DEADGUY) |
| Sep 26 | Henniker, NH | Henniker Brewing Company (w/ PATHOGENIC) |