Being a technical monstrosity that shares the same label as Burnt By The Sun and Mastodon often means that you could be overlooked, yet the men in Uphill Battle seem to have few concerns over such issues. In fact the group seem to be fueled by the immediate competition in house as well as outside, as they continue to elevate their game. After their much lauded Relapse Records debut people began to recognize a new force in the hardcore ranks, and as the group unleash their follow-up, the unbridled intensity of "Wreck Of Nerves", they look to become heroes on the battlefield.

To call an album this schizophrenic accessible seems ludicrous, but to realize that such an unlikely genre in general has become a hot commodity seems equally unbelievable, yet inherently true. Though the men in Uphill Battle have done nothing less than shatter their past efforts and increase the overwhelming tenacity that pumps through their veins, this is essentially an easy-to-digest album. Call it a sign of the times, but it is a tremendous feat and one that the group executes with uncanny ease. The band's skill is beyond reproach, and yet they seem to have pushed themselves further than ever before to make a follow-up that not only equals its predecessor, but trumps it. The heavy bass presence leads the album, as the thunderous low-end cavorts this way and that, yet the rest of the group are always nipping at its heels. The group are also adept at sneaking melodies into their dissonant noisecore attire, with a vivid undertone of melodious guitar theatrics broiling just beneath the spastic metal surface. Amidst all of this the band weave a tapestry of atmospheric delights, giving their hardcore punch a dream-like demeanor that suddenly turns to nightmarish with the blink of an eye (note the aura of impending doom rested on the chilling conclusion of "Breaking Down"). With the addition of a truly staggering triple vocal impact on top of the aural carnage on display, the band mesh guttural death-growls with sinister black metal cackling and piercing hardcore screeches, outlining a recipe for near-perfection.

The fact remains that Uphill Battle are without a doubt one of the most ambitious, technically sound hardcore entities on the music map today, and those that somehow doubt such a statement need only to look at their track record. With each consecutive release the band have outdone themselves, and "Wreck Of Nerves" proves to be no different. The band have heightened their savagery tenfold and have somehow managed to make a tech. metal wet-dream as well as one of the most atmospheric, textured hardcore albums in recent memory. While the Converge style of screechy vocals still remains as a possible roadblock in converting all listeners, the exquisite musicianship and adventurous versatility found within should prevail. Concocting a tech. album that avoids melting into one epic noisecore explosion is tough enough, yet Uphill Battle have created one that challenges the genre and distinguishes the band as one of the arena's top heavyweights. In an ever-growing army of extreme, Uphill Battle lead the hardcore charge, ushering in the heavy artillery on "Wreck Of Nerves". Though there will assuredly be more skirmishes in the future, one thing seems inevitable, these boys are well on their way to winning the war.