There is something deeply satisfying about a band that wears its heart on its sleeve, screams it into a microphone, and then distorts it through a wall of feedback and melody. That is exactly what Amusement does. The Portland, Oregon band has quietly become one of the most compelling underground acts of recent years. Now, with the release of First 3 EPs Collection on vinyl, their early body of work is gathered into one loud, vital, and beautifully unpolished package. This vinyl release is a portrait of a band developing its raw, melodic, angry, and introspective voice. Their music successfully blends post-hardcore with melodic punk rock while grunge and alternative drag their boots in behind it. Their energy is restless, emotions are sincere and every song feels more than necessary, like it had to be written. The record brings together Walk Out To Sink, Dead On The Inside, and Holding On. Each EP represents a different stage of Amusement’s evolution, but even the earliest tracks feel remarkably sure-footed. The band knows what it wants to say. More importantly, it knows how to say it with distortion, rhythm, and melody that never tries too hard to be pretty, but it actually is. Amusement plays emotionally intelligent but never soft punk rock music. Their songs collide and pulse, guitars shimmer and then burst, and vocals are shouted, sung, and strained. There is a commitment to catharsis in their music, and a surprising amount of control. Even at their most intense, they never overplay. The band is loud, but always in control. Their noise feels carefully considered, even when it seems utterly chaotic.
Amusement expertly pairs harsh textures with deep feelings. That contrast gives this collection its power. These songs are not easy or clean. They are bruised and bleeding, full of fuzz and feedback. But they are also human, open, and melodic. Each track carries weight. Each one feels like a story being told from the edge of something, loss, anxiety, heartbreak, or the brink of some internal collapse. You can hear the influence of 90s melodic hardcore, post-hardcore and alternative scenes. Bands like Jawbreaker, Leatherface, Ambitions, Dinosaur Jr, Drive Like Jehu, Ignite, and early Sunny Day Real Estate come to mind. However, Amusements unquestionably showcase their signature moves. They take the bones of those music genres and build something new, something with grit and heart and just the right amount of grime. The production across the three EPs shifts slightly, but never loses focus. Dead On The Inside is the most stripped-down. The songs feel like they were recorded in a basement at midnight, and that works in their favor. The rawness is real. Guitars are jagged, vocals are distant but full of bite. Holding On shows growth in songwriting and performance. The melodies cut deeper. The rhythm section locks in with more confidence. Songs hit harder, and they stay with you longer. There’s also more space in the mix. The band is not afraid to let moments breathe, even as they scream into the void. Walk Out The Sink is one of my favorite ones. The band sounds big and assured. Amusement doesn’t polish their songs into something glossy. Instead, they shape them into rough, beautiful forms, like sculptures carved from static and string.
Vocally, there is a vulnerability that holds everything together. Whether shouted or sung, the lyrics land with impact. The words feel lived-in, like they come from nights spent alone, moments of disconnection, or flashes of clarity amid chaos. There is poetry here, but no pretension. The lines are direct, personal, and effective. The rhythm section deserves credit for grounding the chaos. The drums are tight and expressive, but never flashy. The bass rumbles and anchors. They give the songs a physical quality. And then there are the soaring, scraping, always-present guitars. The tone is thick and unpredictable, but the band knows exactly when to let a melodic line rise through the noise. That’s what makes this music so compelling. It never settles for just being heavy or catchy. It insists on being both. The First 3 EPs Collection is a love letter to a sound and a statement of intent. Amusement is not a band trying to fit in. They are not chasing trends. They are making honest, emotional, and loud music because it needs to be made that way. This vinyl collection plays like a single album, despite being made from three parts. The sequencing works, the transitions are smooth, and the emotional arc is intact. It’s a credit to their vision and consistency. From the first guitar ring-out to the final echo of feedback, the record holds your attention. It demands to be played at full volume, in a room where nothing else matters. Amusement crafts deeply personal and entirely communal music It’s a punk rock sound that makes you feel less alone. It reminds you that being angry, being confused, and feeling too much are not weaknesses. They are part of the human condition. And they sound best when screamed through distortion pedals and crashing cymbals. Amusmenet makes a noise that matters. It’s a record that reaches out, grabs you by the collar, and forces you to feel these melodies with heart and soul. Head to Shield Recording or Brassneck Records for more information about ordering.
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