Hardcore is going through a sea change at the moment, and SPEED are the answer to getting you to the other side. These last few years of its post-Turnstile state have heard the melodic parts doing their most (and doing it well, at that) to push stylistic conventions out of bounds. With every action, there is going to be be an equal or opposite reaction when the saturation point reaches its peak, however.

The energy shift on the horizon is hungry for something heavier, harder, faster, and the Sydney band’s hotly anticipated debut full-length, ONLY ONE MODE, is the answer — a perfectly evolved transition for the scene since igniting it with their 2022 breakthrough EP built around muscular raw power, grooved adrenaline, heart-beating emotion, and high intensity cardio that amounts to coronating the hulking Jem Siow, bassist Aaron Siow, guitarists Josh Clayton and Dennis Vichidvongsa, and drummer Kane Vardon as the freshest freaks of nature coming from the pit.

SPEED, in name, are no false flag either. They rep their ethos of holding up community unity, authenticity, and Southeast Asian pride through a fast and hard tour de force that never once relents across the 23-minute-long, 10-track listen, bridging the steps between Madball, Trapped Under Ice, and Have Heart with what’s in the water right now when listening to Drain, Big Boy, and SPY tipping the scales back toward metallic, chugging heaviness. That won’t stop Jem from breaking out a motherfucking flute during a breakdown, however, and shouting, “GANG CALLED SPEED!” has undoubtedly become the band’s own rallying anthem. They’ve arrived, full force. Just like they told us they would.

Highlights: “REAL LIFE LOVE”, “THE FIRST TEST”, “CAUGHT IN A CRAZE”

SPEED’s ONLY ONE MODE is available now on Flatspot Records / Last Ride Records.

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