‘Killing myself, Just to get by, Buy a dream, Sold a scam, Work all day, Don’t give a damn’ (Fucked Life)

Now, this is a record that does exactly what it says on the tin.   New Jersey’s Direct Order ’82 are taking us back to the formative USHC of the early 1980s.  All scrappy speed, spit and snarl, without even a sniff of mosh.  And, you’ve guessed it, they’ve crammed twelve songs onto this debut release, which they rattle through in under 10 minutes.

Even more importantly, it is homage to hardcore’s roots that is delivered with a raw verve and passion.  This is, perhaps, unsurprising for a band featuring members of Ammo and Ensign.  The lyrical concerns are similarly straight for the jugular as they tackle right wing extremists, economic inequality, police brutality, and the dangers of letting life slip through your grasp.  The choppy Nuke Me and the frenetically melodic Leave Me Alone hit home with a particular snap.