Static Choke - Spicy EP REVIEW

Illinois based punk band Static Choke released a three song EP earlier this year, Spicy. A DIY album, everything was done by the band — recording, instruments, mixing, mastering, and even the album art. It's a short listen, with the whole EP clocking in at under five minutes but it's a fun ride.

Shrieking harsh vocals, fast and simple punk riffs, and some pretty nifty drumming define this EP. The audio quality is pretty solid considering it was DIY. I do wish the guitar tone was a little beefier, and sometimes the vocals feel like they can get lost in the same frequency as the guitars. The band also has some electronic segments which I think compliment the songs and don't wear out their welcome.

As I mentioned before, the drummer is talented and is probably the highlight of the EP. He delivers some pretty interesting drum lines and a ton of fills. The song structure and riffs can be a little straightforward and the drumming really spices it up. I think I would have liked to hear some more hooks and tempo changes, but then again this is a really short release so it's not really a problem.

This is a quick and easy listen. If you're at all into punk or post-hardcore you'll like this. These guys are currently in the studio working on their next release, so keep your eyes out for that if you enjoyed Spicy. Check it out at the links below.

https://www.staticchoke.com/
https://staticchoke.bandcamp.com/

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