‘Austerity measures for the citizens, Mass deportations of “Illegal Aliens”, Build their walls, build their bombs, Can’t build nothing to save humanity’ (Anti-Climax)

We live in an age of dangerous democratic deficit.  Our system of politics has been subverted to serve the interests of capital, moulding the system to serve its needs at the expense of all others.  A self-serving cartel that limits debate to a predetermined technocratic consensus and disenfranchises the many, sowing the seeds of powerlessness for extremists to exploit.

Hailing from Chicago, Mock Execution tear into this stitch-up with an unbridled ferocity on their latest 12-inch and follow-up to 2023’s Circle Of Madness.  They continue to hone a raw punk battery that draws on the influence of 1980s’ UK crust pioneers and their Japanese crasher crust successors with equal proclivity, while infusing their own distinctively psychedelic melodic spicing.

The dual flanged-out guitars unleash surging waves of metallic riffage, leaning towards being blown-out yet retaining a thoroughly satisfying muscularity.  Meanwhile, the bruising, cymbal awash low-end rhythm section injects a surprisingly catchy swing, linking up in fierce synchronicity with the frantically rhythmic vocals.

Each of the five tracks is a savagely coiled eruption.  I love the crunching riffage of Freedom For Sale, the squalling solo that flares during the manic Ain’t A Hope In Hell, the anarcho-fuelled vocals of Defiant Pose, and the choppy fury of You Gotta Be Obscene (To Be Heard).  But, the killer blow is arguably delivered by the sledgehammer grooves of the closing track, Anti-Climax.