Labels: Doghouse
Review by: Russell Opie
A great little EP from the mighty punk-band factory that is Gainesville, Florida. As Friends Rust sound like a combination of Hot Water Music and Avail. Possibly leaning slightly towards the Hot Water Music end of the spectrum. To make the description complete, add a bit of the sheer hardcore power that a band like Where Fear and Weapons Meet produce and now you’re getting fairly close. If you like any three of those bands, you will naturally love this to bits.
There are 5 songs on here (although one of them is only 9 seconds long, so in my book its a 4 song EP). Unlike most bands today As Friends Rust are writing some really great meaningful lyrics. In “Half Friend Town” they write about the politics of the Gainesville scene itself, which seems to imply that all is not a bed of roses.
Meanwhile “Coffee Black” is the kind of song that would send a tingle down my spine live and leave me all detached from the real world. Great modern melodic hardcore with a killer catchy chorus and obviously my favourite song on here. If I was in a band, I would want all my songs to sound like this.
Its not very often that I’ll resort to the use of profanity in a review these days. But fuck, this is good shit. Conveying a positive, genuine message with an awesome kicking sound, As Friends Rust are one of the best hardcore bands around at the moment. Make sure you pick this one up.