EP REVIEW: This Is The Way Vol. 1 – Suffocate Faster

After 17 years without any new music, SUFFOCATE FASTER are back with their brand new EP, This Is The Way Vol. 1. Having formed in 2001, the hardcore band from Cincinnati, Ohio, released two albums – 2004’s Only Time Will Tell and 2006’s Don’t Kill The Messenger – toured until 2007, and took pride in their straight-edge lifestyle and positive messages. In 2019, the band reunited with original guitarist and founding member Chris Towning. With two new songs making up their first EP, are SUFFOCATE FASTER ready to return to their former glory?

Two songs for an EP might make some people confused; how can a band make a comeback in just two songs? Thankfully, SUFFOCATE FASTER manage to do just that. They waste no time in getting back into the groove, as the first song Strength, throws the listener right into the thick of things. The band fully embrace their metallic sound, which gives vocalist Chris Alsip time to show off his fantastic screams, and the fast-paced instruments further cement this. Whilst the three and a half minute runtime might seem short, the pacing of the song is rather slow and it allows the listener to really appreciate the track in all its glory.

Lost Ones is just under three minutes long and it focuses a little more on a straight hardcore sound. Whilst the screams are still there, the instruments are slightly more mellow. This means it chugs along at a nice steady pace, whilst still holding onto that heavy sound, although it isn’t as interesting instrument-wise. Compared to the first song, it does seem to be going through the motions a bit; the drum repeats the same beat and the riffs stay the same throughout, but the vocals more than make up for it as they see Alsip switching between brutal gutturals and gentler screams with ease.

After 17  years, it is somewhat expected of the band to be a little rusty. They are still finding their feet after a long break, but they have clearly worked very hard on this EP, and even through it has some slight issues on the second song, it is highly enjoyable to see a band come back to doing what they love, especially with the original line-up, who work together really well to create a fun, coherent EP.

Overall, SUFFOCATE FASTER have successfully brought back their fun, uplifting and unique brand of metallic hardcore. This Is The Way Vol. 1 is an exciting glimpse of a band who have returned to doing what they love. Whilst the second track does have some slightly lacklustre instruments, the opener and the vocals on the second song more than make up for that slight dip. The pacing of the EP is fantastic, making sure that the audience get the most out of both of these songs. If this is Volume 1, then Volume 2 will find it hard to beat the excellence of the return of SUFFOCATE FASTER.

Rating: 8/10

This Is The Way Vol. 1 is out now via Smartpunk Records.

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