Labels: Suspect Device
Review by: Russell Opie
Debut 7″ from the Southampton hardcore super group Chokeword. Features current members of Aside and Portiswood and Dan debutising on vocals, meanwhile Tony Suspect himself makes a return on drums! I’ve seen them live a few times and I was anxious to hear the recorded material of this very young band. And while the recording quality isn’t 100% it doesn’t really detract that much from the overall appeal of this at all. The theory being that if the songs are good, then it shouldn’t really matter that much. And this is DIY hardcore so its meant to sound rough n’ ready!
Seven songs here, clock in at around 7 minutes. The record kicks off with “GodFreeYouth” which starts with some Gorilla Biscuits style slow riffing stuff. Then breaks into a fast paced, growly vocalled hardcore song. The kind of thing that you can just nod your head to and think to yourself, wow this is cool! Meanwhile “Strong Words” and “Break the Cycle” totally rock in a Minor Threat type way. Dans’ vocals are less growly and gravelly in these songs, and the result is something far more reminscent of Ian MacKaye. Really ace. The lyrics are great too.
Chokeword definately fit into the political subset of hardcore, as their songs are about challenging racism, homophobia and domestic violence while advocating freedom of thought and positivity within the scene. Its great to hear a band express real views on real topics. And there are explanations of all the song lyrics which I always think is cool too. “No Joke” and “Your Life” are two more politcally tinged, fast paced songs, splattered with the hints of a thousand hardcore influences.
Final track “Cowards Way” is a song that you can actually sing-a-long to! Great melodic hardcore. My only complaint being that its all over too quickly!! It really reminds me of someone – but I can’t think who. Either way this song is awesome and if this is a sign of where the band are heading in the future, then watch out!! Great music, with something to say as well. You can’t do much better than that, and well worth two and a half of your good pounds.