Soul Power - The Low End Fury EP
React! & Undertone Records 2018
The Low End Fury just dropped in March this year and let me tell you if you have not listened to it you should! I hadn't listened to SP earlier releases (mainly thanks to the over saturation of bands- too much internet, too little time). So when I listened to the album, I was blown away with what my ears were hearing.
It was the sound we have heard more and more in recent years, with the resurgence of late 80s NYHC hardcore influenced hardcore. Freedom(US), Shrapnel (UK), Broken (AUS), Backtrack (US), Red Death (US), Firewalker (US), Trapped Under Ice (US), Life Debt (AUS) and most of the Triple B catalouge. The EP has a lot more groove than some, lending more to a classic Outburst sound (plenty of chances to two step with style). I also hear elements of Floorpunch, earlier Bitter End, No Apologies (for the Aussies) to name a few. If you dont hear it that's cool, music's subjective.
What struck me the most when I was listening was what I was hearing lyrically. So much reference to black, POC culture and the current racial climate in America. The name of the EP is a great and clever nod to an imporant record in hip hop, A Tribe Called Quest's legendary The Low End Theory. I have jammed this record about 20+ times already and really wish something like this had come out when I was younger to help combat the isolation of someone of colour can feel in the punk scene.
Steppin Out
The first track drops in with a hard riff like im listening to Twin Killing and then straight into the groove. The lyrics in Stepping Out, seem to be discussing people's refusal to see how holding on to outdated values and refusing to change results in becoming alligned with racist and conservative thinking. "You're walking the line with those you fucking hate!" Something we have seen with a lot of reunion bands getting heat (some of it a little over reaching) such as Chokehold and Gorilla Biscuits. I love both those bands dont get me wrong! BUT if your gonna play to a different generation, you gotta remember that culture changes and what you did 20 years ago doesn't necessarily hold up now.
Uncommon
This is a classic fast song that i can't make out any lyrics hahha (you know the fucking deal!)
Chain Drop
Mannnnnn Chain Drop, this song has mean sounding riffs that get me so pumped. Then to back it up, the lyrics start and immediately begin emphasising the frustration with the political landscape "it's become apparent that they've already won. These lyrics of frustration are all that i have left" and "no peace, just us". With a rise in far right poltical parties, nationalist and domestic terrorists in western countries. The whole concept about chains dropping and shackles hitting the floor is so fucking mad! This highlights the insight of the plight of black people dealing with their history of suffering through slavery. It also highlights the mental slavery of a person of colour living within a white world and being freed from the shackles that comes with this reality. So let them drop! Also the whole "you can swat a bee but you can't stop the swarm" reminds me of Wu Tang haha but that's probably just me. This song also deals with the importance of being allies in the face of racism and facist politics with lyrics like "one for all and all for one, if we can't stand together, they've already one". So we should all support the antifa even if we get classified supporting "domestic terrorism" cause you know white nationalists arnt a threat to no one at all...
Don't Lose Your Head
Don't lost your head is a classic straight edge song about dealing with the frustration of a friend succumbing to serious addiction. What i like about its angle is that despite the feelings of frustration there is a theme of empathy and trying to understand an addicts rationale behind sacrificing their well-being for another hit. It's nice to see that more straight edge bands are taking this approach rather than the old "kill all junkies" mantra. Empathy is always important especially in an ethic like Straight Edge.
Chain Drop
Mannnnnn Chain Drop, this song has mean sounding riffs that get me so pumped. Then to back it up, the lyrics start and immediately begin emphasising the frustration with the political landscape "it's become apparent that they've already won. These lyrics of frustration are all that i have left" and "no peace, just us". With a rise in far right poltical parties, nationalist and domestic terrorists in western countries. The whole concept about chains dropping and shackles hitting the floor is so fucking mad! This highlights the insight of the plight of black people dealing with their history of suffering through slavery. It also highlights the mental slavery of a person of colour living within a white world and being freed from the shackles that comes with this reality. So let them drop! Also the whole "you can swat a bee but you can't stop the swarm" reminds me of Wu Tang haha but that's probably just me. This song also deals with the importance of being allies in the face of racism and facist politics with lyrics like "one for all and all for one, if we can't stand together, they've already one". So we should all support the antifa even if we get classified supporting "domestic terrorism" cause you know white nationalists arnt a threat to no one at all...
Don't Lose Your Head
Don't lost your head is a classic straight edge song about dealing with the frustration of a friend succumbing to serious addiction. What i like about its angle is that despite the feelings of frustration there is a theme of empathy and trying to understand an addicts rationale behind sacrificing their well-being for another hit. It's nice to see that more straight edge bands are taking this approach rather than the old "kill all junkies" mantra. Empathy is always important especially in an ethic like Straight Edge.
Think Tank
This is a blast from start to finish with a consistent break beat. Dont worry there is plenty of time to stomp in the middle once the drummer yells " 1,2,3,4!" The song talks about perception and consumption of media influencing someones reality. It goes on to duscuss the mainstream media only servicing the white majority in power. And as weve seen time and time again shows just how racist the institution is. The song also deals with the sacred gospel of conservities, facists and neo nazi called freedom of speech. "Freedom of speech is freedom to abuse" is such a sick line used to discuss the idea of hate speech and discrimination. Something that people of colour go through regularly. Like advocating ethic cleansing and segregation is not JUST an opinion man.... "just think for yourself man".
White Noise
If this isn't an anthem for the disenfranchised black and youth of colour then In My Eyes is not a straight edge anthem. The song kicks in with "move on over or we'll move on over you" which is a direct slogan taken from the Black Panther Party. The song blasts along at a blistering pace while keeping their groove stylin'. The song mentions colour blindness in "you say your colourblind so is your point of view" which is something i have identified as a huge blindspot within punk and hardcore. That old slogans such as "were all the same and we all bleed red", like i get the sentiment and im all about unity. but that attitude completly undermines the struggling facing mang people of lesser privilege than the white male punk on stage. Just cause we had the Bad Brains doesnt mean that diversity is lacking, thats tokenism your thinking of. Lyrics like "brothers sisters dying but you offer no help" somes up to the rational to why the Black Lives Matter movement started in response to racial targeting by police. A movement started after black communities being fed up if not being heard. The repeated lines of the chorus "left us no choice, but we have a voice" follows on with the whole BLM vibe. Its also so catchy, i had it in my head for days after the first listen. I kept seeing the 1968 Olympics, iconic political image of the brothers holding their black gloved fists in the air haha The sick lines keep coming with the likes of "take your stand against your fellow man, can't see what's fair while you have the upper hand", another nod to privileged bias. Then the best line yet, "our skin is black and tanned, your only mad cause we're fucking up your plan" and a big fuck you to people who want to uphold the system that allows the privilege of race and the final verse " We don't want to hear it all that white noise" sums up my feelings when a white brother starts going on about reverse racism... eyeroll.
This is a blast from start to finish with a consistent break beat. Dont worry there is plenty of time to stomp in the middle once the drummer yells " 1,2,3,4!" The song talks about perception and consumption of media influencing someones reality. It goes on to duscuss the mainstream media only servicing the white majority in power. And as weve seen time and time again shows just how racist the institution is. The song also deals with the sacred gospel of conservities, facists and neo nazi called freedom of speech. "Freedom of speech is freedom to abuse" is such a sick line used to discuss the idea of hate speech and discrimination. Something that people of colour go through regularly. Like advocating ethic cleansing and segregation is not JUST an opinion man.... "just think for yourself man".
White Noise
If this isn't an anthem for the disenfranchised black and youth of colour then In My Eyes is not a straight edge anthem. The song kicks in with "move on over or we'll move on over you" which is a direct slogan taken from the Black Panther Party. The song blasts along at a blistering pace while keeping their groove stylin'. The song mentions colour blindness in "you say your colourblind so is your point of view" which is something i have identified as a huge blindspot within punk and hardcore. That old slogans such as "were all the same and we all bleed red", like i get the sentiment and im all about unity. but that attitude completly undermines the struggling facing mang people of lesser privilege than the white male punk on stage. Just cause we had the Bad Brains doesnt mean that diversity is lacking, thats tokenism your thinking of. Lyrics like "brothers sisters dying but you offer no help" somes up to the rational to why the Black Lives Matter movement started in response to racial targeting by police. A movement started after black communities being fed up if not being heard. The repeated lines of the chorus "left us no choice, but we have a voice" follows on with the whole BLM vibe. Its also so catchy, i had it in my head for days after the first listen. I kept seeing the 1968 Olympics, iconic political image of the brothers holding their black gloved fists in the air haha The sick lines keep coming with the likes of "take your stand against your fellow man, can't see what's fair while you have the upper hand", another nod to privileged bias. Then the best line yet, "our skin is black and tanned, your only mad cause we're fucking up your plan" and a big fuck you to people who want to uphold the system that allows the privilege of race and the final verse " We don't want to hear it all that white noise" sums up my feelings when a white brother starts going on about reverse racism... eyeroll.
The Ballard (or the Bullet)
The title is a direct reference to a speech of the same name, brother Malcolm X gave in 1964. This speech empahsised the importance of political and econmic growth for black people in America. The song actually has samples of the speech at the start and ending of the song. The lyrics "I'm swinging while I'm singing" is a reference to Malcolm X criticising Black and minority complacency and lack of direct affirmative action against oppression, which is heard clearly in the end of the song in the sample. When the line dropped " to stand and fight for what I know is right" i had an overwhelming urge to leap outta my chair and start protesting for more equality (and equity) in the streets.
Other cool things that i noticed were" let my rage melt this mental cage i must escape" looks at the mental slavery of being indocrinated into a system not built for you e.g. institutionalised racism and using your anger as a weapon. If that aint punk, i dont know what is anymore. Maybe i need to get a sex pistols credit card or something i dunno.
This album is an antidote to the white banality of hardcore. "with low end fury you better recognize!"
The point of this review is to say that this EP is the freshest and culturally relevant thing to come out in ages. Its tough, its cool, its groovy as fuck and lyrically inspiring. What more could you ask from a hardcore record!?
You can pick it up through:
React! Records through their Deathwish store:
https://deathwishinc.com/
Undertone Records: https://undertonerecords.
Tyronne Gietzmann - XTGRX
Tyronne is an Australian vegan straight edger who is a youth worker by day and art/illustrator by night. He has huge soft spot for old school hardcore and crucial jams. Tyronne played in the straight edge band Rebirth.
The title is a direct reference to a speech of the same name, brother Malcolm X gave in 1964. This speech empahsised the importance of political and econmic growth for black people in America. The song actually has samples of the speech at the start and ending of the song. The lyrics "I'm swinging while I'm singing" is a reference to Malcolm X criticising Black and minority complacency and lack of direct affirmative action against oppression, which is heard clearly in the end of the song in the sample. When the line dropped " to stand and fight for what I know is right" i had an overwhelming urge to leap outta my chair and start protesting for more equality (and equity) in the streets.
Other cool things that i noticed were" let my rage melt this mental cage i must escape" looks at the mental slavery of being indocrinated into a system not built for you e.g. institutionalised racism and using your anger as a weapon. If that aint punk, i dont know what is anymore. Maybe i need to get a sex pistols credit card or something i dunno.
This album is an antidote to the white banality of hardcore. "with low end fury you better recognize!"
The point of this review is to say that this EP is the freshest and culturally relevant thing to come out in ages. Its tough, its cool, its groovy as fuck and lyrically inspiring. What more could you ask from a hardcore record!?
You can pick it up through:
React! Records through their Deathwish store:
https://deathwishinc.com/
Undertone Records: https://undertonerecords.
Tyronne Gietzmann - XTGRX
Tyronne is an Australian vegan straight edger who is a youth worker by day and art/illustrator by night. He has huge soft spot for old school hardcore and crucial jams. Tyronne played in the straight edge band Rebirth.
