World War IX – Phoning It In 10″ EP

We all need a proper dosage of old-school hardcore punk from time to time. After all, the music from that period was a gateway for the bands most of us enjoy today, right? Beneath the piles of modern bands who’re evolving with times and delivering recent music technics into punk rock, there’s a vast universe of groups who are leaning towards a classic hardcore punk. Both sides are equally crucial for the healthy underground scene, and diversity was always welcome within the punk rock community. World War IX is a well-kept secret that lurks the scene for nearly two decades and one of those bands inspired by old school hardcore punk music. Since their beginnings, the group released an impressive amount of recordings, such as Panic Attack CD, Brown Bagging It 7″, Portrait Of Sobriety CD, a split 7″ release with The Mapes, a split release with Revilers/For The Worse/Aggressive Force, Off The Wagon CD EP, No Room For Improvement 7″, a split 7″ release with Blackout Shoppers, and If One Of Those Bottles Should Happen To Fall CD.

Phoning It In is one of their latest recordings, released on a 10″ vinyl record. Like their previous releases, this one also includes comic illustrations by J. Melkman, who’s also a rhythm guitarist in the band. Phoning It In carries five compositions that are shifting towards the late seventies to mid-eighties hardcore punk/punk rock sound. Their sound resembles something that the renowned groups like Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Adolescents, Angry Samoans, Redd Kross, TSOL, OFF!, Descendents, Dead Kennedys, The Dickes, Subhumans, and many other similar groups would eventually record throughout their careers. World War IX grasps the essence of the abovementioned era when most groups relied upon four-chord progressions and ferocious rhythmic segments. Still, their music has a slightly advanced production, so each involved instrument is vividly hearable in the mix. Most bands back then couldn’t brag about this advantage, and World War IX undoubtfully takes the most out of it. The entire band appears as singular machinery, and this material sounds surprisingly similar to some releases recorded during the eighties.

However, World War IX goes with the flow and delivers old school hardcore in a way the bands used to do back in the day. Phoning It In represents a homage to the pioneers of a genre, written, composed, and performed with some improvements such as some innovative approaches and slightly better production. Thanks to J. Melkman, Phoning It In has the visual appearance that resembles eighties punk rock recordings even more. You should unquestionably check out this release if you’re into some energetic hardcore punk music. Head over to their Bandcamp page for more information about ordering this gem.