Speed – ‘Only One Mode’ review: uncompromising and undeniable

Globally, hardcore punk is more healthy than ever – and one of many key bands spearheading this revival goes by the title of Velocity. Hailing from Sydney, Australia, the NME 100 graduates experience making gnarly, brutal hardcore that’s shot by with their personalities and life experiences. They hit out towards anti-Asian hate and empowered others to embrace their very own identification on 2022’s debut EP ‘Gang Known as Velocity’, and related themes from near dwelling characterise their debut album, ‘Solely One Mode.’

Velocity have exploded by what frontman Jem Siow instructed NME was a “guarded and insular” Australian hardcore scene, for probably the most half, by staying true to their title and mantra, the place much less is extra: it’s snappy, balls-to-the-wall hardcore with monstrous riffs. Because the title ‘Solely One Mode’ alerts, they’ve by no means thought-about another path – since day one, it’s been all of their ardour and fury at full throttle.

Accomplished by Aaron Siow (bass), Josh Clayton (guitar), Dennis Vichidvongsa (guitar) and Kane Vardon (drums), the brotherhood of this band (“I do know my staff, one phrase: S-P-E-E-D”) is on show all through ‘Solely One Mode’. All 5 members contribute vocals at factors on the album. The core message is self-belief and defiance, as Jem sings on the ruthless ‘Shut It Down’: “Don’t attempt to stage with me / I make my very own strikes.”

The album’s spotlight comes within the type of ‘The First Take a look at’. An anthem about discovering your self as a marginalised particular person in society, it proved considerably divisive upon its launch for unrelated causes: Jem’s flute-playing throughout the breakdown despatched some web commenters right into a tizzy. The so-called ‘flutecore’ doesn’t really feel gimmicky: somewhat, it demonstrates Velocity’s ambitions to push their sound into locations nobody would count on, with out it feeling compelled (when he’s not fronting Velocity, Jem is a flute trainer). Knocked Free’s viral reggaeton beatdown was enthusiastically embraced after they unveiled ‘Suffocate’ with Poppy earlier this yr. A flute is arguably extra of a curveball at first look, however one that might come to be equally appreciated over time.

Sharp and sufficiently groovy, there’s sufficient variation all through ‘Solely One Mode’ to maintain curiosity piqued. ‘Kill Cap’ is stuffed with twists and turns, whereas ‘I Imply It’ is a well timed reminder that Velocity sugarcoat nothing: “I say what’s in my veins so there’s no method to confuse it”. Velocity have put Australian hardcore on the map, to a worldwide extent which hasn’t been seen earlier than. It’s absolutely a matter of time earlier than they attain the heights of Turnstile and Militarie Gun, however whereas taking their very own, uncompromising path.