Review by: David Giles
Tight Grip (ex-EmeraldCity) are Columbus Straight Edge hardcore stomping similar paths as 50 Lions, maybe not far off Never Again. You could probably argue that they’re formulaic but you’d be a total washout to do so – sure, there is such a thing as boring hardcore, but there is a huge difference between middle-of-the-road angry-but-not-really junk gear like Defeater, More Than Life, ‘modern hardcore’ waste of time bands who are legit boring and bands that play somewhat predictable hardcore. I wouldn’t rank this among that dross in a million years. Different worlds. Never going to be world-changing, but moshy and primitive straight edge hardcore for people who like their hardcore moshy and primitive. I’d be a million times happier if starting a hardcore band in 2011 meant starting a band that sounds like this. I’ve got good mileage out of this so far. Actually, I really like this band. If Defeater is the disease (and it is), then this sound is the antidote – and the doses are HEAVY!