S.O.S.

Well, you can pretend that the "I Owe You Nothing" EP from hardcore super group S.O.S. is somehow more complex or groundbreaking than what most others would term no-bullshit, precisely composed U.S. hardcore that will appeal to pretty much anyone that already digs bands like TERROR or MADBALL. Or you can accept it for what it is, regardless of the musicians involved: a solidly written, easily digested smack in the mouth from five guys that have been around the block enough times to know what it's really all about.

Considering that Team S.O.S. includes vocalist Scott Vogel (TERROR),bassist Chris Beattie (HATEBREED),guitarists Matt Henderson (AGNOSTIC FRONT, MADBALL) and Sam Trapkin (TRAPPED UNDER ICE),and drummer Nick Jett (TERROR),you'll not be surprised to learn that "I Owe You Nothing" is pretty much exactly what you'd expect. Not unlike SEAL Team 6's raid on the Bin Laden compound in Pakistan, S.O.S. bursts though the door with speed and violence, terminates with extreme prejudice all inhabitants that get in the way, and gets the hell out just as quick. Though the hardcore on offer is undiluted, and the approach fast and furious, the album is not without its smart compositional values, such as the undeniably crushing breakdown of mid-tempo chug and gang shouts during the comparatively epic-length (3:21) title track. At the same time the riff that opens the song is so simple, yet so quintessential in its hardcore quality that you can't help but snarl and move the cranium to and fro in that certain way that indicates complete agreement.

Mostly "I Owe You Nothing" is about cramming as much bellicosity into a minute-and-a-half (the typical length) song as possible and still paying enough attention to detail to separate one cut from the next. This is S.O.S. and they play hardcore — better-than-average hardcore, but hardcore nonetheless. End of story. Oh yeah, and you can get it on vinyl through Reaper Records if you so desire.