Kids Like Us

The Game

[3.5/5]

Kids Like Us are a Florida-based band with roots in hardcore but sonic ambitions that encompass doom, noise rock and metal. The gang-shouted backing vocals are pure HC, but the snare drum sound recalls Metallica’s St. Anger, and some of the riffs (not to mention vocalist Lars’ gargling-phlegm delivery) are almost worthy of depression-fueled Southern sludgemongers Eyehategod. The band’s sense of groove, built on a foundation of thunderous basslines, is reminiscent of ’90s industrial-metal outfits like Prong or Treponem Pal, while the lyrics and the manner in which they’re barked bring it back to hardcore. But the band’s guitarist, Fresh, gets a pretty scorching, bluesy solo at the end of “Black Box Warning,” proving that these guys ought to be bigger than their local scene. A tour or two with Converge would bring Kids Like Us to the side of the hardcore/metal cultural divide where they’d be properly appreciated. (EULOGY) Phil Freeman



GO DOWNLOAD: “Streets Of Fire”