EP REVIEW: 2020 – Cro-Mags

There aren’t many heavy hardcore bands that don’t owe at least a small debt of gratitude to CRO-MAGS. Some probably don’t even know it. The iconic group are rightly counted among pioneers of both crossover thrash and that classic New York Hardcore chug. For all their influence however, things had been relatively quiet on the CRO-MAGS front until recently. After years of internal feuds, and some less than stellar offerings in the 90s, it seemed as though 2000’s Revenge would be the last we heard from them.

Fortunately for us, that wasn’t the case. The band returned earlier this year with In The Beginning – their first full-length in over two decades. It marked an impressive return, with the band sounding as fired up as they did on their genre-defining earlier records. Now, thanks to COVID-19, they’re back a lot sooner than expected with their new EP, 2020.

Throughout CRO-MAGS‘ lengthy career, the sole constant on their every release has been bassist and on-and-off vocalist Harley Flanagan. It’s not long before listeners hear his instantly recognisable chunky distorted bass on opener Age Of Quarantine, coming in after a brief hip-hop drum intro. This remains a constant presence throughout the record, adding a thundering, driving low end to every track. As on the band’s two most recent albums, and 1989’s Best Wishes, Flanagan also handles vocals on 2020. For the most part, he employs a low beefy bark which has always been a good fit with CRO-MAGS’ aggressive music. He does change things up a bit on fourth track Violence And Destruction though. On that song, he opts for something a little cleaner which is even reminiscent of the gothier stylings of former MISFITS frontman Michael Graves.

Flanagan‘s bandmates also more than hold their own on 2020. Drummer Gary “G-Man” Sullivan brings a heavy sense of groove, as well as navigating more fast-paced sections with ease. It also bears mentioning that his drums are produced excellently, and hit every bit as hard as a band like CRO-MAGS needs them to. Guitarist Joseph Affe – brought in to cover for the band’s usual duo of Gabby Abularach and Rocky George – also does a great job. As well as plenty of crushing riffs, he provides multiple impressive and often lightning-fast lead parts. Prime examples include those heard on 2020 and Violence And Destruction, although one could point to pretty much any track on the record in this regard.

As the title suggests, this EP is very much a response to the past 12 months. The band describe it as “a time-capsule look into the burning dumpster fire of this year”. This is something which definitely comes through in the music. 2020 comprises six intense, aggressive tracks which prove once again that this recently renewed CRO-MAGS still have plenty of fire left to offer. Rather amusingly, it also runs for exactly 20 minutes and 20 seconds – something the band claim was unintentional.

In terms of highlights, standout moments include 2020’s title track, and Chaos In The Streets. The former is a crushing, chug-heavy rager. It features pummelling double-kicks, Affe‘s already-mentioned impressive lead playing, and savage barked vocals from Flanagan. The latter is similarly aggressive, and provides one of several memorable hooks on the record with “Chaos! Chaos! Chaos, in the streets!” The same is true of the record’s third track Life On Earth, whose simple titular hook fans are sure to scream back into Flanagan and co.’s faces when performed live.

Interestingly, 2020 also sees CRO-MAGS venture into sonic territories that are quite far-removed from their usual brand of raging hardcore. Violence And Destruction opens with a mellow, reggae influenced jam which makes the blistering carnage which follows hit even harder. Later, the band close out the record with Crofusion – a lengthy instrumental piece with obvious jazz fusion influences. It’s touches like these which show that CRO-MAGS are definitely having fun. It’s also deeply refreshing to hear a band still willing to try new things this far into their career.

After such a long time without new music from CRO-MAGS, two releases in the space of a year is a real treat. 2020, like In The Beginning before it, sits comfortably in the top half of the band’s releases. It may not quite hit the heights of their earliest records, but to come pretty close all these years and trials later is still quite the achievement. Crucially, with 2020 it feels like this iteration of CRO-MAGS are here to stay, and that’s something any fan of hard-hitting, heavy hardcore should be pretty excited about.

Rating: 8/10

2020 is out now via Arising Empire.

Like CRO-MAGS on Facebook.