Nice 'n' Naughty, but more of the latter...

3/8 - "Community Bargain" (EP)
Label: DIY

North Carolina is home to some of my favourite Hardcore bands of the last few years, namely FADING SIGNAL and the criminally overlooked FEVER STRIKE. Now, NCHC is back in my own hemisphere with 3/8 (pronounced three-eights)! The three piece is fresh off their heels. They formed sometime this year, released their first track on the BSDJ-sampler "Face the Sun and Refuse to Wilt" and played their first gig just back in October. Now, here's their debut effort in form of a 5-song-EP.

The best thing I probably got to say about it is, that it feels fresh. There's no Screamo, Emo or Post-whatever in there, it's pure, rocking and filthy Hardcore. They definitely place themselves in the line of bands like DANGERS, GALLOWS, EVERY TIME I DIE, CANCER BATS or GO DEEP and also the already mentioned FADING SIGNAL are not too far off as a reference. The main difference probably is that 3/8 seem to have a "no breakdown"-clause in their songwriting policy, and their songs are shorter than most of the listed bands, aside from early DANGERS. On top, they're not bent on chugging riffs or Metal undertones. They rely on rockin' riffs and lots of groove that back up the pissed screaming. In terms of pace, they find a soft spot between mid- and uptempo, varying from track to track or even within the track. While "If you see something, shut the fuck up!!" has this no thrills-mentality, the closer "Dudebling" is centered around driving, near sludgy riffing. 

Overall I dig the general tone of this, cause I'm convinced that Hardcore needs more of this naughty attitude nowadays. Personally I could use a few hooks or a surprise in the songwriting, here and there, but for a sprint (6 and a half minutes) like this, "Community Bargain" is really entertaining.

3/8 on Bandcamp
3/8 on Instagram