"Who's in Control?!" is the latest EP from New Jersey's mighty Charge, this time on Reaper Records, and once again the band delivers a concise yet diverse blast (five tracks in 14 minutes) of material that sounds little to nothing like most of what's going on out there these days. Expect plenty of surging midpaced power chords and intricate bass runs making up the core, generally accented by a sense of ringing dissonance and little bits and pieces of melody scattered throughout. I definitely still hear a lot of similarities to Burn/Orange 9mm, both in terms of some of the rhythmic vocal arrangements as well as a few more technical riffs or post-hardcore textures happening here and there, but I fuckin' love both of those bands, so I'm all over such influences, and Charge takes these sounds to different levels throughout. Little bits of reggae creep into the instrumental "Logan's Run", and there are even some surprisingly rocked out little runs to be found on occasion, so… you've almost gotta hear it for yourself to get a true picture of what's going on. There's a little room for improvement in terms of the recording, but that certainly doesn't hinder their energy or mask the quality of their writing skills. I'm digging the great looking comic book-styled cover art that's definitely different from the norm, too. Having heard so much about these guys over the years it's a damn shame that they haven't dropped a full-length yet. And shit, it's been like three years or so since the "Universal Tribe" EP dropped, so… they've yet to disappoint, and continue to leave me wanting more. Check 'em out:

Charge "Souled Out Souls"

Support the band and the label with a purchase if you like what you hear, motherfuckers:

@ Reaper Records
@ Surprise Attack Records
@ Very Distribution

Also from Reaper Records comes this split between two promising Death Threat-related metallic hardcore acts to keep an eye on down the road. First up is Connecticut's Crowns of Kings, who knock out four quick tracks (less than two minutes apiece) of textbook metallic hardcore in about six minutes. The band features Death Threat guitarist Wes Fortier on vocals, and he holds his own damn well over a backdrop of heavy power chords with a good balance of tempo changes that lean on traditional hardcore with that slightly more contemporary sense of aggression. It's basically that 90's kind of style, though – and everyone knows I love that shit, right? Massachusetts' Price of Pain then follows-up with four tracks of their own 90's-esque "metalcore". Their take provides longer and more metallic songs, so expect lots of chunky midpaced grooves with scarce bursts of speedier power chord rhythms or the occasional drop of a chugging Euro-styled metal riff – all fronted by the unique stylings of Death Threat vocalist Aaron Knuckles. Believe it or not there are some occasional dashes of melody tucked away in there too, and such shifts actually pay off tenfold, because "Thanks for Shit" comes across as somewhat darker and more memorable – a fuckin' excellent track, for sure. As with many such releases both bands could probably use a little more oomph in the recording department, but the songs make the fucking point, so I'm not complaining. I dig both acts and will damn sure be looking forward to hearing more. Good stuff.

Crowns of Kings "Same Old…"
Price of Pain "Thanks for Shit"

Fuck the "digital age", buy a good ol' fashioned hard copy if you dig the tunes:

@ Reaper Records
@ Surprise Attack Records
@ Very Distribution