ASKO - VIOLENT BY NATURE CS
New demo from four young Chicago go-hards who dropped a music video before a demo, but if that makes yer vision go red, you should take up a hobby. Knitting, kayaking, get the blood pumping for chrissakes!
As for pumping blood, "violent by nature" is one of the more straightforward hardcore punk releases I've enjoyed in some time, but goddamn is it good. I snagged the tape at a somewhat ill-fated gig at the Orphanage back in January. Live, I felt like there was a little more d-beat influence that doesn't quite pop off on the recorded material (which I personally think is for the best). They played early, the crowd wasn't fully packed in yet, and the Orph boasts a stage that would make a lesser act crumble, yet they were the highlight of the show. I'm excited for a few months from now when ASKO gains a little more confidence and they play 8 songs straight with only one break in between.
As for the tape itself? The definition of a Midwest meal: meat and taters mashed fresh right there for yuz in the pit. The song writing and recording quality would feel just as comfy on one of Lengua Armada's old Histeria comps as it would amongst YA!'s output from the last decade, any time after McCoy finally discovered Denver, CO (although I think ASKO comes with a rougher edge that a lot of those bands have only ever pawed at).
The tape I have will likely sound different than the one you will eventually get your mitts on, as vocalist Andy has continued to futz with the mix to get it further in line with his vision (bud, I get the inclination, but the people need the tracks last month!), but I've been assured they'll be uploaded here very soon: https://asko.bandcamp.com/ Six tracks, photocopied j-card and insert, and, thank fuck, a lyrics sheet (literally all you have to do is xerox your ballpoint chickenscratch, you fuckin' poseurs).
In the meantime, check that aforementioned video for a quick fix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX2aE9OMz9A), and give their channel a follow in the RSS reader of your choosing, 'cause the Askocalypse and its heralds are imminent.