Reign Supreme

American Violence EP

[3/5]

This Philadelphia quartet (alumni of Blacklisted among them) boast all the requisite qualities of modern day hardcore: Fast, stampeding tempos that screech into half-time; pit-worthy mosh stomps; and shout along choruses with routine self-help lines like, “My body broken but I push on alone.” While they aren’t offering anything new musically or lyrically, Reign Supreme manage to put together the pieces into a satisfying whole (if your idea of satisfaction is dogpiles). It should not shock or awe that an EP titled American Violence contains manly, muscle-bound music meant for the show and for the pit. The band play it tightly wound, with Mack-truck-massive production that perfectly transmits each ounce of rage. More times than not, bands who write for the breakdown never translate on record. Reign Supreme defy this theorem with a hefty EP chock full of tantalizing aural violence, suitable for venting all of your anger. (MALFUNCTION/DEATHWISH INC.) Casey Boland