Pure Noise Records – Release Date: 7/17/20

Last month, Strike Anywhere released an EP called Nightmares of the West. It represents their first new music since 2009 and not only picks up right where they left off, but also sounds as urgent as ever. The first song, “Documentary,” is a great example of the band’s classic, melodic hardcore sound. Its chorus is led by singer Thomas Barnett and its lyrics act as a rallying cry, (“We deserve to fight for everyone / For all that we’ve lost, for all that we are”). The next entry, “Dress the Wounds,” is aggressive and fast-paced, and its precision tempo stops and starts on a dime. “The Bells” is the most melodic song on the EP and features catchy guitar leads that are interwoven with the vocal melodies. Its lyrics talk of revolution and really couldn’t be more relevant, (“No one forgets / No one remembers at all / Till monuments fall”). “Imperium of Waste” opens with a riff that complements the lead vocals and slowly builds in intensity. The rest of the band comes crashing in after a couple measures and sounds nothing short of supercharged. The virtual wall of vocals in the chorus is both powerful and inspiring, resulting in what is likely the record’s most memorable moment. Nightmares of the West takes what Strike Anywhere does best and adds subtle contemporary influences. It also manages to capture the immense energy of their live shows, which is no easy feat. Hopefully the wait won’t be too long before they’re back with a new full-length.