The New Enemy, from Toronto, requested a review of their 'Shakedown EP' on OnexPath. Even though this blog is not really meant for current hardcore, The New Enemy's sound is deeply rooted in old hardcore & punk, and this 6-song, 15-minute EP is good enough to warrant a review.The 6 songs on this EP show a band that has listened numerous times to bands such as Poison Idea, Good Riddance, Strung Out, etc, while mixing it with a more modern sound and song-writing approach... One of the few current day bands I can think of to compare this band to is Smoke & Mirrors especially in the harder more hardcore-oriented songs, even if The New Enemy goes for a more punk/hardcore-oriented sound.
Opening track 'Tim Horton Hears A Who', is the perfect showcase for their sound, with the heavy intro that quickly shifts into a more punkrock oriented track while keeping the heavier guitar-sound. A great song that's over before you know it at 1 minute and 28 seconds. The 4th track, 'Level 2 Scapegoat', has the most modern sound, with more abrasive and choppy guitar riffs, while maintaining that late '80s/early '90s hardcore/punk feel this band is going for. 'Shelf Life', the final track, features some sweet lead-guitars leading into a very modern-sounding breakdown with some 'ooh-aah-ooh' backup vocals. Sounds like a strange combination, but they make it work somehow. Unfortunately, while 'The Pony Collector' is the stand-out track on this EP stylistically with its country/folk-like intro, it also stands out as the worst track on here to me. Overall, 5 good tracks out of 6 is a pretty good score, and I can wholeheartedly recommend this EP and this band.
Another thing that speaks for this band is that this EP, as well as their 1st EP 'Outsourced', is available for free download, including artwork. So give this band a chance.
The New Enemy (myspace)
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