New Distances

Released in 2009, New Distances is the debut full-length from Narrows, an international supergroup featuring members of Botch, These Arms Are Snakes, and Unbroken. Despite the members being scattered across Seattle, London, and San Diego, the album possesses a remarkably cohesive and urgent sound. It serves as a bridge between the technical complexity of late-90s mathcore and the more atmospheric, sludge-heavy textures of modern post-hardcore. The record was recorded by Matt Bayles, whose production work ensures that the chaotic arrangements remain legible while retaining their abrasive grit. Critically, the album was praised for its ability to channel the legacy of its members' previous bands into something that felt vital and distinct rather than a mere retread of past glories. It stands as a landmark of the late-2000s hardcore scene, balancing intellectual complexity with primal aggression.