EP REVIEW: Chaos, Collusion, Carnage & Propaganda – Extinction A.D.

Since their formation in 2013, Long Island’s EXTINCTION A.D. have largely dealt in just one thing: raging and riotous crossover thrash. While there’s always something to be said for innovation and evolution in music, sometimes all you need is a band who can get pits spinning and heads banging. It’s no surprise then that the four-piece’s latest EP, Chaos, Collusion, Carnage & Propaganda, does exactly that. Their first release via the very much on form Unique Leader Records, it makes for a high-octane thrill ride through the glory and nostalgia of 80s and 90s metal and hardcore.

Never a band to over complicate matters, this EP’s title actually refers to each of its four tracks. First up is Chaos, which sees the quartet hit the ground running with a pissed off, politically charged aggro. It’s business as usual from the get-go, with vocalist Rick Jimenez’s hardcore bark backed by full-force gang vocals. It’s also instantly clear the band are less nostalgic when it comes to the record’s production. Opting for a crisp modern crush over anything particularly retro, everything sounds great here. Jimenez and Ian Cimaglia‘s guitars sink their teeth right in, tearing along with full-throttle riffing and the latter’s rabid lead work. Drummer Mike Sciulara pummels away too, while bassist Tom Wood ties the whole thing together with a meaty background rumble.

Collusion and Carnage follow in much the same vein, neither track doing anything to suggest the band need a breather. After those, EXTINCTION A.D. round things out with a cover of Propaganda – yes, that Propaganda. Tackling the SEPULTURA classic is potentially as stupid as it is admirable, but the band come out relatively unscathed here. They play things pretty straight – why would you mess with a song like that? – and the results make for an obvious fit with both the band’s music and their typically outspoken message. The riffs hit just as hard as they did nearly three decades ago, and that breakdown will never not be a total monster.

Wrapping up at a touch over 11 minutes, Chaos, Collusion, Carnage & Propaganda doesn’t mess around at all. It’s an all-out assault in which dynamics and respite don’t really seem to matter. You won’t find anything here you haven’t heard before, but good luck getting through this without ending up with a sore neck.

Rating: 7/10

Chaos, Collusion, Carnage & Propaganda is set for release on November 5th via Unique Leader Records.

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