Hailing from outside Dallas, ANS deliver a concoction of fast-paced hardcore punk that draws comparisons to the early days of hardcore: Black Flag, Bad Brains, and DRI. The foursome is a bit more aggressive than their forefathers though, as showcased in the minute-and-a-half blast that is "Paging Dr. Shiba." "Circle the Drain" is a nice blend of the early hardcore sound and the skate punk sound that recent bands like My Revenge! have been slamming. Maximum shredding achieved!
Seasick return from their last EP with a slightly different approach; they've picked up the pace a lot, writing songs that are more punk derived than hardcore. "Intro(spection)" contains a great line, "If punk is nothing more than mindless materialism / I'm fucking done / I've had it / I won't remain complacent." "Veritistic Value" is a fuck you anthem to cops played at supersonic speed. "Setting a Straw Man Ablaze" is equally as energizing and is the closest to the metallic leanings the band showcased on their previous EP.
Overall, a solid split 7" from these two upstarts. Extra props to the labels for providing a digital version; it came in handy for reviewing purposes.
