Obscenity Trial: The Grit of UK Post-Hardcore

Obscenity Trial is a British post-hardcore band known for its intense, politically charged sound and visceral live performances. Hailing from Leeds, England, the group carved a significant niche in the UK's underground scene, with their 2018 album Modern Failures receiving critical acclaim and solidifying their reputation as a powerful voice in modern heavy music.

Early career

Obscenity Trial formed in 2012, emerging from the same fertile Yorkshire music scene that produced a wave of aggressive and technical bands. The founding members, united by a shared interest in the dissonance of bands like The Chariot and the melody of acts like Thrice, began honing their sound in local practice spaces. Their self-released 2014 EP, The Great Unraveling, quickly sold out its initial pressing, catching the attention of independent label Holy Roar Records, which would later reissue the work.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough arrived in 2018 with the release of their debut full-length album, Modern Failures, on Holy Roar Records. The album was praised for its razor-sharp execution and searing social commentary, leading to high-profile support slots across Europe and features in major UK rock publications. While not a mainstream chart success, the record achieved notable sales within its genre, with vinyl pressings repeatedly selling out and cementing its cult status.

Key tracks

Burnt Pianos — This explosive single became the band's calling card, perfectly encapsulating their blend of chaotic hardcore and anthemic, melodic choruses.

Crooked Spine — A fan favorite known for its complex structure and scathing lyrical critique, it is often a centerpiece of their live set.

Glass Cutter — This track showcases the band's dynamic range, moving from quiet, tense verses to a crushing, cathartic finale.

Modern Failures — The album's title track is a relentless and politically urgent anthem that defined the record's thematic core.

Following Modern Failures, Obscenity Trial maintained a rigorous touring schedule across the UK and Europe, sharing stages with acts like Rolo Tomassi and Ithaca. Their 2021 follow-up EP, A New Kind of Fear, saw the band experimenting with more atmospheric textures while doubling down on their aggressive foundations, further expanding their sonic palette. The band's consistent output and powerful performances have ensured a dedicated following within the post-hardcore and mathcore communities.

Fans of Obscenity Trial's intense and technical approach to post-hardcore should also explore Rolo Tomassi, who similarly blend beauty and brutality from the UK scene. Milk Teeth shares a knack for merging melodic hooks with raw, punk-infused energy. For the chaotic and dissonant elements, listen to The Chariot, a major influence on the genre's live intensity. Ithaca delivers a similarly ferocious and emotionally charged take on modern metallic hardcore.

Obscenity Trial's music is a staple on dedicated rock and alternative radio stations, particularly those focusing on the heavier end of the spectrum. Their tracks regularly feature on online rock radio streams and independent music radio stations that champion underground and boundary-pushing guitar music, introducing their potent sound to new audiences daily.

The powerful post-hardcore of Obscenity Trial can be heard on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover and stream the band's music directly through the curated rock and alternative radio stations available on onairium.com.