Tom, Don, and Justin have returned with a fresh set of hardcore punk tunes for their Thumper Punk Records debut. For the international punk band, this has been the longest break in their catalog to date, which might explain the appropriately titled “Time.” After the recording and before the release of the album, drummer Justin Ram (Grave Robber) resigned leaving Dispraised a duo with vocalist Tom Mong and guitarist and Metal Resource alumni Don De Necker.

Formed in the 2020s around the dynamic duo of Tom Mong and Don de Necker, they came out fast and furious with a mini-album and two albums, all a year apart. The previous album was released in 2022 and was my second review here at the Metal Resource. Showing my green-ness, I totally missed at the time that Don previously wrote reviews here for the Metal Resource and would be a source of inspiration for me as I’ve matured as a reviewer.

Upon the first spin, there is a familiarity to their sound that is comforting. High energy, in your face, hardcore punk that pulls no punches as Tom declares the hypocrisy of religious and political leaders. Don speeds along with some fast picking riffs through straightforward punk chords and Justin’s drums keep the energy high as these 9 songs speed past over the course of 20 minutes. Although it is familiar, there are some elements that I miss.

Let’s start with the high points. The lyrics are super bold and unapologetic with a heavy dose of cynicism towards religiosity and human institutions that don’t deliver the peace we yearn for. Within this biting criticism is bold Christian declaration such as the opening “Unashamed & Proud.” Tom’s delivery is of a hardcore punk style that doesn’t care too much about melody, leaning close to the thrashy direction, however the amount of repetition on some of the songs can sound stale.

The songwriting is rather slim with little extras. A short riff or a drum fill usually throws the listener into the song. The chord progressions are rather clear cut three to four chords on repeat. Don’s riffing is hard and fast, changing it up from time to time to keep the vocal delivery from sounding too stale. Although there is some lead work that is buried in the first couple of songs, the guitars are rhythm-focused on reinterpretation of the riffs and chords. I missed hearing lead work or a melody of some sort to draw me in. Justin’s drum work is really solid and engaging, which is sad to hear that he has moved on.

A couple of songs were really cool. “Off My Back” has an easier to identify chorus and has the quintessential punk attitude in the lyrics, “Stay in your lane and get off my back!” “Dear Diary” is one of the longer songs getting into three minute territory. There is more variety in the guitar work, drums, and vocal rhythms making it a good length for the song, where other songs in the one minute territory felt quite long due to repetition. “Neo Fascist” is another cool song to be blasting on the stereo.

To be honest, this isn’t exactly the followup album I was hoping for when I listened to “Lines in the Dirt.” The issue with underdeveloped songs was still there and the instrumental breaks that I enjoyed before were not present. Recognizing this as a possibly transitory release with Justin leaving the ranks, there is still a lot of the goodness that makes “Time” a worthwhile Christian punk release. The digital release is free from the label’s Bandcamp, but if you want to support the band a bit more, there are some nice physical media for sale on the band’s Bandcamp. It is definitely worth checking out if you have a taste for Christian punk.

Rating: 7.5/10

Written by Sean Bailey

Tracklist

1 – Unashamed & Proud
2 – Adapt/Progress
3 – The Chase
4 – Off My Back
5 – Dear Diary
6 – WWIII
7 – Kill For Profit
8 – Neo Fascist
9 – Brainwashed Uncertainty

Dispraised is:
Tom Mong – vocals
Donovan de Necker – guitars and bass
Justin Ram – drums

Release Date: April 3, 2025

Record Label: Thumper Punk Records

Discography:
2020: Same God Modern World
2021: Moral Rot [review]
2022: Lines In The Dirt [review]
2025: Time

Social Links: Facebook | Spotify | Instagram | YouTube | Bandcamp (band) | Bandcamp (label)

Video for Off My Back