Expire “Suffer the Cycle” | REVIEW

Review by Nick Shore | Smutlife

Almost one year since their debut EP, Grim Rhythm ripped up turntables from coast to coast, the Midwest’s Expire are back with another effort chock full of gritty riffs and youthful angst. Recently released on the always busy Six Feet Under Records, Suffer the Cycle features four brand new tracks of straight up hardcore fury. Since grabbing hold of their local scene in 2009 with a furiously aggressive demo, Expire have grown considerably, taking their largest steps with this latest musical onslaught.

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Chosen Ones

Review by Nick Shore | Smutlife

When someone says “Reaper Records,” what initially pops into your mind? Most likely, it’s heavy, mosh-oriented hardcore in the vein of Terror, Trapped Under Ice, Maximum Penalty, Naysayer, or other associated acts. You can almost hear the earth shaking breakdowns and ferocious calls for more stage dives, as the 300 pound tattooed bald guy next to you tries to take someone’s head off during “Spit My Rage.” Well, forget about all that, as Reaper’s latest up and comer, Buffalo’s Chosen Ones is a wildly refreshing breath of air for fans of multiple aggressive genres.

Clearly influenced by the punk rock elders, especially the late 70s and early 80s UK bands which dominated the scene for years, Chosen Ones debut EP combines a slick mix of old and new. This isn’t some obnoxious, mohawk-clad, street punk rehash, but a pleasant blend of pure punk rock which hangs around the Cock Sparrer and Stiff Little Fingers end of the spectrum, rather than The Exploited or The Partisans. Pour on a thick layer of cues from older Social Distortion, and you should be getting the picture. Read more