You just have to look at the encompassing biography on Truth And Its Burden’s Facebook page to know that this local melodic hardcore band takes their music and message seriously.
For the past decade, Truth And Its Burden has been a constant force of positivity and hope in the melodic hardcore scene. These messages are accompanied by ferocious head-banging beats and intricate melodic passages that are the heartbeat of this genre. Their highly anticipated third album I Labour is set for release on 14 July and, as an appetiser, it would be good to look at their best work.
Here are my top 5 songs from Truth and Its Burden. The band of Ashley de Beer (vocals), Calvin Clayden (guitar and backing vocals), Niekie van Niekerk (bass and backing vocals), Matt Sletcher (drums) and Erick Gerber (guitar and backing vocals).
Honourable mentions: ‘My Distance’, ‘Placed In My Path’, ‘Building a Better Me’, ‘Since Day One’.
5. Weightless
The second single from the band’s upcoming third album, I Labour starts off on a different note that sets it entirely apart from anything that Truth And Its Burden has released thus far. The distorted guitar and isolated vocals will definitely be a live staple with its sing-along qualities: ‘Never enough in reflection, I saw what you saw. Till there’s nothing left of me, it’s just never enough’, sings de Beer before he introspectively looks at his life and what he has become in the world’s eyes. Gerber’s guitar tapping in the verses is brilliant and really holds the song as it builds up to the chorus. The chorus is probably one of the band’s best as De Beer screams at full tilt: ‘After all the damage done, shed aside the weight of these words. I tried so hard but I fell so short.’ Music is truly one of the best ways to express emotion and this song encapsulates this spectacularly.

4. Every Gift, Each Day
The buildup in the intro through the snare drums and clean guitars is the perfect way to begin this song before De Beer’s vocals hit you in your face in the first verse. The track picks up gradually and changes pace constantly like a rollercoaster ride when the distorted chugging riffs enter the fray. The themes of a greater purpose and living your life to the full really resonate in the words that De Beer screams. The breakdown before the bridge really catches your attention with its brutality and is one of my favourite parts, before the slow melodic bridge changes the song dramatically.
Clayden also pulls out a melodic riff on the guitar that makes the deal that much sweeter. Three minutes of inspiration would be the best way to describe this song.
3. Threadbare
The guitar riff in the intro is one of my favourite parts right off the bat with its crunchy and raw sound. The riff then moves into the first verse and transforms into a lower detuned riff that carries the song further. The use of various intricate riff and passages on the guitars make this one of the best Truth And Its Burden songs. The vocals and message in this song, once again, substantiate the positive influence that music can have as they hit the spot with a real, heartfelt punch.

2. Dead to The World
Truth And Its Burden dropped this banger of a track earlier this year as a teaser to what their upcoming album I Labour will offer and it definitely made their listeners stand up and take notice. The frantic pacing in the first verse is what this band is all about as the drums and guitar work hit you in the heart before De Beer urges you to listen to his message, ‘Kicked in the teeth, we’ve been led astray, dead to the world!’ His vocals have really upped a notch as he reaches a few high screams that take this track to another level. Sletcher’s drum work, with constant bass pedal rhythms hitting your eardrums in the chorus, is one of the highlights.
The guitar work from Claydon and Gerber is fantastic, especially in the fast-paced chorus and slower bridge section, where the song utilises softer, clean guitars. This change of pace really works and makes the song that much more memorable.

1. The Decider
This is the group’s best-known song, having garnered airplay through various mediums from their fantastic sophomore album, Choices when it was first released in 2012.
Vocalist, Ashley de Beer really shines and you can feel the desperation in his voice throughout the song.
This number is brutal with great palm-muted breakdown riffs that complement the thoughtful lyrics.
The pacing is also brilliantly executed through the drum work that is on point, especially after the bridge.
This song really cemented Truth And Its Burden as a heavyweight, not only on the local scene but also globally, with the band going on numerous tours to promote the album. One of the best parts is when De Beer screams: ‘Face these fears that have brought you to your knees’ to end of this spectacular track.