Reason to Fight Chesty Malone Split 7" Review

two cool bands of similar style in one convenient 7". On burgundy splatter wax, no less. United Riot Records

Reason to Fight - Local Providence hardcore kings Reason to Fight some through with 2 working class doting tunes that inject some hardcore into punk bass lines. You can tell that this band loves harder Oi! (a la Oxblood or Run Like Helll) an Live do covers of Cro-Mags an 1st KLP SOIA - so you know where they are coming from. These 2 tunes do stand on the punkier side of the tracks. It is great t o have some choice, especially if you have caught them live recently as they are getting tighter and more straight up HC. "Dying Breed" is fast jaunt about not leaving this scene, even as age and responsibility may tug at you. Again, it nurtures the perfect balance of NYHC and oi; you would not being standing still if this was on your turntable. "HW,HD,HC" is even punkier - a catchy rhythm but still fierce; a la The Booked, Terminus City, The Forgotten. Meant for sing-a-longs. Chesty Malone and the Slice 'Em Ups - i had never heard this band, but had seen their name. Kind of assumed, due to the name and my jaded prejudice, that with a name like this, that this band would be rather generic in sound and out for the shock. But i was wrong. Great 3 songs here - and stronger, fuller guitar than i predicted and just a rougher heavier sound all around. Female vocals always welcome by me. Horror slasher topics and look, but not cheesy. "The Brain that Ate New York" - The riffs are pounding rock and roll over kicking drums. The Service comes to mind, but faster. "Quest for Flesh" - A nod to old west coast US hardcore - just fast and belligerent. Adolescents, Descendents, Circle Jerks. "Panic at Pt. Doom" great bass line opens, almost coming from a Warzone song; it quickly turns into a disorienting riff with slamming drums. Fast and vicious for 2 verses, then the mighty breakdown. That sounds formulaic, but this is punk - just do it well! and they do. This song kick ass. A doom filled foreboding tone to her voice and the chords bring a cool omniscient feel to the first half before the melee of the ending.