In Control "s/t" CD
[Rival]
This extremely brief EP comes as the final release for this band, and sadly includes only three new tracks. I heard their last record and thought it was alright, but this is a bit better. The recording is thicker, the vocals are more noticeably raspy and textured, and the songs are well written too. "Victory", my personal favorite here, is definitely a little heavier and more NYHC sounding, "Kayfabe Memories" gets a little more melodic midway through, etc. The last two tracks are re-recordings of older songs: "He Fails Me" from "The Truth Hurts" full-length on Indecision Records, and "Fuel the Fire" from "The Nard Curse" 7" on Camel Clutch Records. It's still slightly heavy hardcore rooted in the old school style (just check out the pounding basslines in "Fuel the Fire") that's not really catchy or super powerful or anything, but it's good for what it is. As mentioned the recording here is a step up, as the mix is perfectly even, with full tones and an overall natural sound that I really like. Even the gang backup vocals are perfectly handled. I don't really have any complaints there at all. The layout looks really good. The front and back covers are illustrations with minimal text, and all of the lettering that is involved appears in the illustrations. Inside are some live photos and whatnot with the lyrics. Most of the tracks are personal but a couple of the newer cuts are even more serious and deal with opposition to war and religion. "Don't get me wrong, I still believe, in the power that we have together idealistically, But what's the fucking point, if we can't take what we know and fight the real enemy? Let's make this matter for once." I've still heard better, but this isn't bad... I'm just not overly impressed. It's a damn shame their best work to date comes during their untimely demise, I bet their next full-length would've been pretty slick. (6/10)
Running time - 9:39, Tracks: 5
[Notable tracks: Victory, He Fails Me, Fuel the Fire]
Rival Records - http://www.rivalrecords.net

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