Tennessee hardcore powerhouse, Thirdface, have released their sophomore album, ‘Ministerial Cafeteria’, out now via Exploding In Sound Records.

Thirdface blend mind-bending technicality with sheer ferocity into a one-of-a-kind take on hardcore that’s as visceral as it is impressive. On ‘Ministerial Cafeteria’ they dial their sound even further into the red, drawing on elements of punk, grindcore, and noise rock into one of the most inventive aggressive albums of the year. Now listeners can hear ‘Ministerial Cafeteria’ in full, immersing themselves in 20 minutes of blisteringly fast riffs, stomping breakdowns, and primal vocals that are sure to stick around long after the quick runtime. It follows acclaimed 2021 full-length, ‘Do It With A Smile’, and finds the band tighter than ever. Recorded and mixed by drummer Shibby Poole, the record packs a perfect balance of rawness and clarity that hits like a punch to the nose (in the best way). It’s an album that sounds like it could only be performed by a hive mind operating on pure instinct, a blistering amalgamation of pummeling drums and intricate guitars that rarely lets up. Throughout the album Edwards expertly weaves together personal and societal strife, connecting the dots between our inner lives and the outside forces that can impact them. ‘Ministerial Cafeteria’ explores “horrors, real and imagined,” whose complexities match those of the music. Edwards explains: “The lyrics kind of represent a bit of a shift from primal anger at any and all external aggressors found in the first album, to what I think are the two central themes of this album: an introspective exploration of mental health issues and skepticism towards societal structures and authoritative powers.”

‘Ministerial Cafeteria’ tracklist:
1. Mantras
2. Meander
3. Midian
4. Sour
5. Pure Touch
6. DOV
7. Bankroll
8. Stalkwalk
9. Beneviolent
10. Artifact Of Darkness
11. Trap Revealed
12. Purify

photo credit: Diana Zadlo