SPACED : "No Escape"

Last year's "All We Ever Get" only earned an 8 because it leaned too heavily into a Turnstile-inspired sound. With that said, an 8 placed it above most hard-core pumped-out tracks that did not even get reviewed, and they have come into their own on this EP. Couple that with the fact that Turnstile is more of a pop band than a hardcore band now, and it leaves a void that must be filled, which finds SPACED stepping up their game to claim the empty throne. The songwriting is hookier, though the chorus tends to follow a similar formula that proves effective for the first three songs, all of which are under three minutes, making this perfect for the ADHD TikTok generation of ADHD listeners. 

The hooky riff that has become the pulse of "Pressure" is what redeems the song. Fun guitar solos are coming from the corners of this album. The gang vocals driving the attitude of "Dog Bite" set this aside from the pack. The only issue I have with the overall sound is that the drums sound a little flat and could have been given more love in post-production. I know you do not even have to tune your drum heads these days, and they can go back in to make them pop a little more. With all five songs clocking in at just over 11 minutes, leaving this one to play to write this review results in me listening to this album several times, and the more time my magnifying mind can hear things like the vocals not really holding the anger or grit expected from hardcore, he sounds like he used to sing for a pop punk band, but it works for their sound.

In the give and take of this album. the fact that it is more stripped down with a focus on the songwriting means some of the more experimental sounds heard on the previous album are not playing a factor here. It also makes me think that since the guitars have the punch I did not get from the Turnstill album, it makes me appreciate this more. Either way, it's a fun listen. I will give this one a 9.5, as it's a step forward for the band, advancing them to the top of the heap when it comes to what Gen Z wants from the kinder gentler vision of Hard Core these guys bring to the table. This Drops October 17th on Pure Noise Records.

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Year of the Knife : "Internal Incarceration"

This band comes from the new school of hyper aggressive hard core than is metallic in its punishing intent. The way the pound the riffs home is very hard core. The vocals are also hard core and not growled. What they do is more impressive onthe first song than it is the second which does not bode well for what my over all feelings are going to be in regards to what they are doing. I am fine with you being heavy as fuck as long as you write songs. Just ask Nails and Phobia. Two bands that are heavy as fuck but still write songs. The swtich up the attack a little on " Stay Away".  There is a little more of a growl on a few places here , but the vocals are typically pretty one dimensional . The have more purpose than just being an obligatory voice as they punch into the openings. By the time we get to "Manipulation Artist" not only are the vocals beginning to run together from song to song , but everything else is as well.

"Final Tears" attacks with the same mean spirited nature as the other songs have. There is a touch of Slayer to the drums that give it just enough finesse . The more thrashing moments are what this album needs to lean into. These are moments are where they capture a groove rather than just an endless stream of blunt force truama. "Premonitions of You" sounds like a break down in motion. Violence is the only dynamic here, but they some how make it work on this song. Lyrically it is the same admonishments that hard core bands are always dishing out. It is like a slef help speaker yelling at you. The drums go into that punk beat I am not fond of . This does not aid the monotany of the vocals. 'Sick Statistic" is a little more chantable when it comes to the spit fire of the vocals.

The guitar hits like concrete on "Eviction" , but you are numb to the beating they have been dealing you. They nail the kind of riff they need to be attacking your ears with on "Nothing to Nobody". Even as mean as the riff is there is only so much your ears can take before it runs together. Sound wise the album is great. It is dense and powerful. How the sound are put together into the song is where they find challenges. The kind of 90s tough guy barking we heard back in thedayfrom bands like Damnation AD comes intoplay on the apocalyptic "DDM".  I will give this album an 8.5 , the hype of it being more metal than hardcore is unfounded by, there is a certain welcome levelof familiaroty whenit comes to hardcore. This album comes out August 7th on Pure Noise Records.

Drug Church : "Cheer"

This band features members of Self Defense Family which got me in the door, it's the 90s flavored post-hardcore that keeps me listening. The vocals are gruff yet melodic. Somewhat in the vein of Hot water Music. The opening track is more in your face punk flavors without relying on speed. They have a more powerful drive that shows the latent shades of hardcore to give it the added muscle. Even then they layer guitar melodies over it. "Weed Pin" has more melodic nuances. "Unlicensed Hall Monitor" starts off charging out you with a great deal of angry energy before mellowing out by the end.  "Conflict Minded" runs off the same over driven power that continues to put the band in your face. This also finds them in a more straight forward punk direction until the bass grooving break down happens. Even then it's not totally out of the range of what punk does. The female vocals showing up is however unexpected.

"Tilary" if you are not paying attention seems like an extension of the break down that was in the previous song. The vocals are more spoken in the verse. There is a much more melodic vibe to this song.This one is really well written and is an ode to their displeasure in regard to law enforcement. "Unlicensed Guidance Counselor"  expands and contracts off the palm muted tension of the verses. Lyrically interesting and th right balance of melody I can hear this one growing on me. "Avoidarama" is yet another clever balance of wit and melody against the grain of meat and potatoes post-hardcore. Marginally less engaging than the previous song. The chug that moves it is much more basic.

"String References" is a blend of both more melody and more aggression. There is a catchy skip in it's step that reminds me a little of the Get Up Kids, though a more burly take on what made them endearing. I can also hear traces of Fugazi in this. "Dollar Story" is more straight up punk influenced. Though the layered strum of guitars helps to break things up. There is a dense sonic quality to the more syncopated push of "Foam Pit" that offsets what would otherwise be left of center punk rock.I'll give this album a 9 as it reminds of the days before emo became a bad word and punk seemed to be entering an exciting new time, that would get watered down by Myspace.