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DEAD HEAT
Endless Torment EP

Tankcrimes / Triple-B (2023)
Rating: 8/10

Think Suicidal Tendencies, think Crumbsuckers, think Excel, and that’s what you get here with Oxnard, California-based crossover specialists Dead Heat. This EP is an enjoyable romp that just might prompt you to dig out the old skateboard and throw on some Leeway straight after experiencing this moshing five-track affair.

There are plenty of thrashing outbursts to grab a hold of here, led by the snappy vocal chops of Chris Ramos. Many will hear the streetwise streaks of Power Trip throughout this outing, but there is an obvious nod to many bands in the riffs and urban stance; damn, I even get a bit of classic Metallica, Exodus and Attitude Adjustment.

The choppy title cut cuts deep with its riffs and hard drums, and ‘Smite Thee’ hits even harder with its darker thrash tones circa 1986 with dollops of Slayer and the like. Meanwhile, the brace of ‘Eyes Of The Real’ (a monstrous chug fest) and ‘Tears Of The Wolf’ (a total groove machine) made me stomp around the room until my heart was content with dents.

Closer ‘Hard Reset’ zips with speed, somehow hybridising Possessed with streetwise skatecore and cementing my belief that there is still room for such hardcore flavours, even after Power Trip had seemingly got the subject covered. A much needed slap then once you’ve reversed the baseball cap.

Neil Arnold

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