HOLY SHIT! Where did this band come from? Why haven't I heard of them before?!?!? For a while there I was starting to think that I was pretty plugged-in to the hardcore scene and aware of what was going on, but obviously I'm not doing my legwork if a band this great could slip under my radar. If Christian Club were from the east coast I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that they would be putting out a record on a big label and be generally heralded as one of the best current old-school hardcore groups, but since they're all the way out in San Diego I guess it's taken a while for their reputation to filter its way across the states. Well, now that it has and I'm holding this EP in my hot little hands I just want to take a second to thank whatever non-Christian entity that Christian Club would like me to thank for letting me hear this music.

In case you're wondering about the nuances of Christian Club's style, it's straight-up 83-style hardcore the likes of which you already know and love if you've picked up Direct Control's EP. The songs are fast, raw and straightforward a la Midwestern hardcore bands like the Necros, the Fix and Mecht Mensch, but there's an ever-so-slight hint of RKL-style metal riffage that makes this things just explode out of your stereo. My only complaint about any aspect of this record is that the vocals could be a little bit stronger; I'm not sure if they're just recorded really thin or if their singer just doesn't have a particularly powerful voice, but that's really the only element missing from this absolute ripper of an EP.

The only catch is that there were only 500 copies of this bad-boy pressed, so get your ass on over to the label's web site right now and grab yourself a copy, because this is definitely going to be one of those records that people are going to be kicking themselves in the shin for not getting in a year.

High energy barebones hardcore, the like of which you've surely heard before, and the likes of which you certainly need to hear again. "be my sharon tate","1.2.kill.you.", and "sorority house massacre" are three of the six of the gems included on this slab. No slow parts, who the fuck needs 'em? That's what i thought. Mile a minute barked vocals that sound like they come from a frustrated 13 year old (in a good way), and the recording suits their frantic nature perfectly. "Night of the demons" is in my top 3 songs of the day (a very select list indeed)....this will be even better when I'm wasted.(-Robert)