Seized Up – Manic Decompression Flexi 7” (Pirates Press Records)

Perhaps Seized Up is a brand new outlet on the hardcore punk scene, but the back catalog of each involved musician deserves uttermost respect from the underground community. This energetic supergroup comprises of members known for their participation in previous outlets such as BL’AST!, Good Riddance, The Distillers, Fast Asleep, so the Seized Up pretty much sums up their preceding endeavors into an intense hardcore punk cocktail. Manic Decompression represents a debut single from their forthcoming full-length named Brace Yourself.

Manic Decompression calls out for civil disobedience in the States torn apart by a rotten system, corrupted politicians, police oppression, greedy billionaires, racial and economic segregation, and multinational companies. Hardcore punk was always a perfect platform for sharing personal opinions about almost everything, so these veterans are using it wisely to express their discontent towards the current political climate. The lyrics showcase nearly Orwellian scenery where every individual faces the forced devotion towards the system through eternal slavery to the imposed norms. Seized Up urges every listener to resist these norms by sabotaging the vital cogs in capitalist machinery. Resistance is the only option in this case, and each participant plays a crucial role in this struggle.

Musicwise, Seized Up leans towards old school hardcore punk sound, so characteristic for the eighties. The sound heavily resembles the music of the greats such as Black Flag, BL’AST!, OFF! or Western Addiction, but with even more surprises along the way. Guitar shreds are bursting with enormous energy throughout the entire composition. The absence of melodies provides an even more post-apocalyptic atmosphere to the overall listening experience. The riffs are simplistic, but effective four-chord progressions perfectly arranged for this particular genre. Ridiculously good basslines are maneuvering beneath the guitars, but each tone is equally hearable during the complete number. Nothing would sound so energetic without a very detailed drumming performance that surrenders tremendous dynamics and keeps the entire band in line.

Besides strong political connotation, Manic Decompression could comfortably serve as a perfect skateboarding movie soundtrack. It appears like many of the numbers showcased in the skateboarding movies during the eighties. From a meaningful message to all the vital elements of the eighties hardcore punk sound, Seized Up is paving the way for their debut album that will undoubtfully sound powerful. Manic Decompression comes on a square-shaped Flexi 7” by Pirates Press Records, so head over to their web store and treat yourself with some intense hardcore punk music.