Iceage – You're Nothing

If New Brigade was Iceage's statement of intent – raw, immediate, packed with nihilistic attitude – You're Nothing is their manifesto proper. It's less of a punch in the gut; there is less of the shock of the new which accompanied their debut. But it does see the band clearly defining the parameters of their sound – emotional, adrenalised hardcore with post-punk ambitions, and a beating heart of thwarted, fuck-everything catharsis that has earned them their fearsome live reputation.

True, their particular alchemical combination of punk tropes has nothing blindingly unique in its recipe, and those who have followed the scene for years will be able to point out the myriad homages and influences. But somehow, Iceage are more than the sum of these parts, and when they hit a peak – the excoriating Burning Hand; infectious opener Ecstasy; and in the offhand, the half-spoken, stop-start dirge and riot of Awake – they make it all sound so convincing. [Bram E. Gieben]