NI hardcore legends-in-the-making Lantern For a Gale are back. Their first EP was vicious, no-nonsense statement of intent that established the band as one to watch. Now their sophomore effort, Lands More Hostile, sees them carry on where they left off.

Opening track, As We Sleep, kicks things off in high gear. No grand intros or build up, just straight into the heavy, and doesn’t let up until the last minute or so, when the tempo slows (a bit) and some gang vocals bring the song to a close.

Inauthentic Selves steadily builds tension for a full minute, before getting back to the breathless pace the band are best at. The chorus is another small respite, and even becomes anthemic as small moments of post-hardcore style harmonies creep in towards the end. This improves, rather than diminishes. If anything, Lantern For a Gale have gotten better at what they do.

Second to last track, Against Diabolum stands out on the ep. More expansive, but still heavy, the more sinister-sounding guitar parts bring to mind the pointy-tailed fellow referenced in the song title.

The songs on show here are a logical progression from what came before. If you put the two ep’s on back-to-back, what you have is an album that starts off strong, and just gets better and better.

Lantern For a Gale aren’t here to reinvent anything. Hardcore doesn’t need that, and the band recognise this. What they do instead is tackle a genre that has been pretty well covered, with an energy and urgency that reminds you why you fell in love with it in the first place.

Drop-d Rating: 9/10