Relationship of Command is a classic. I've never been into that Refused album. To me, it's the historical point at which I lose interest in Post-Hardcore. I recommend trying out other Post-Hardcore classics like most Fugazi albums but especially
In on the Kill Taker, Drive Like Jehu's
Yank Crime, Unwound's
Repetition, Gospel's
The Moon is a Dead World, both Chavez albums, Rites of Spring. I mean there are those 90s rock aesthetics that I know you're tired of, but the genre has way more elaborate and interesting songwriting and instrumental work than Nirvana. If you want stuff that matches the intensity of At the Drive-in go straight for
Yank Crime and
The Moon is a Dead World.
I was really surprised when Rick Beato released that Failure video, but then I remembered that Ken Andrews is an audio engineer. They've probably crossed paths a few times.
who can't relate to those lyrics?
Well, uh, considering they're about heroin... lol
The lyrics on Fantastic Planet are really great, though. Many of them are about addiction in some way, but the way they approach the topic is really interesting and emotionally effective.
"Heliotropic" is a fave for me personally, but it definitely wasn't my favorite on first listen.