new review and more

sup!? we still need a show for Wednesday, December 30 in Connecticut or Upstate New York. now we may also need a show in Massachusetts on Thursday, December 31. fuuuuudge. we still have some splits, and new shirts as well. get in touch. in the meantime, check out these reviews of our split 7" with our friends Rip It Up. (also, S.O. is not a straight edge band.)

band i'm listening to right now: WORLDS. worldshc.tumblr.com / myspace.com/worldshc

xoxo, rnj

http://www.scenepointblank.com/reviews/2755

Self-released split 7”s are a rarity these days. This one features two bands from the state of New Jersey with both bands offering their take on straight edge hardcore.

Stressed Out play fairly straightforward aggressive hardcore punk. It's got a definite vintage approach; though they do work in some thrash metal flair with solos. I think the band's strongest aspect is their lyrics, which tackle familiar topics - peer pressure, immigration, and animal rights - in a unique manner. This is the type of band you'd see at a house show and end up drenched in sweat after screaming along for their entire set.

Rip it Up venture in a slightly different direction, bringing in a power violence approach to hardcore. “Torches. Demons.” features the fast paced aggression of Infest or Trash Talk. “Grind the Edge” might be the best pro-edge song I've heard in a long time. Again, another band perfect for house shows.

If I lived in Jersey I'd probably be good friends with these bands and enjoy going to all their shows. If they happen to hit your town you shouldn't think twice about seeing them.

http://definethemeaning.com/2009/11/02/stressed-out/

Stressed Out are a punk/thrash band from New Brunswick, NJ who play fast, thrashy, short songs infused with angry vocals that are like marriage to the aggression of the drums, bass and guitars on these four songs displayed on this split 7″ with Rip It Up, another NJ band of the same genre. The lyrics are very transparent in dealing with the everyday woes of today’s society and the feelings that it brings out, whether it be the choice to be a vegetarian or to speculate on someone’s hardships and learn from it by imagining yourself in their shoes (which more people should do these days). My personal favorite is the song “Stressed Out” with its straight-forward feelings of self-loathing and despair. The songs run right into each other without much room to breathe and this goes well with the overall urgent feel of the record. There are slight traces of Suicidal Tendencies and perhaps even Washington DC’s State of Alert and Minor Threat so if you are into this kind of sound, you will be into this record.

Rip It Up play fast, crunchy, moshy punk/thrash as well that sounds like great punk basement music, and this is meant in a good way, of course. The vocals are done well on both bands as you can feel them rather than just hear them. Also, this is great artwork. Notice the “X” is only on one of his hands. Can you guess which of these bands are straight edge? Check em out below!

www.myspace.com/stressedoutnj
www.myspace.com/xripitupx

http://www.bleedingedges.net/blog/archive/2008_09_01_archive.html

Stressed Out (cdr)

Another new local band, which is always nice to see. The music is pretty thrashy, but more in an Anthrax kinda way. It's not really metal at all, but there's definitely some crossover parts. The vocals are remind me of Life's Halt though, but the lyrics are a little on the goofy side.

http://www.centerfuse.net/reviews/Stressed-Out-demo-review/1162

(old review; i think this link is broken.)

Stressed Out demo, reviewed by sick_fuckin_o on June 19, 2008

Four songs here, and regardless of the packaging, this is not a weak Municipal Waste rip-off. Sure the opening riff may or may not have been lifted from some obscure mid-80's speed metal cross-over record, but from then on Stressed Out deliver fast, sloppy, original punk. Think a sloppier, less-focused No Reply. Richard's vocals sound stunningly close to Ernie from Life's Halt, but without the boring preaching lyrics LH adopted later in their lifespan. Pretty lighthearted lyrical content for the most part- horror movies, calling out dicks, and a tribute to dudes banging older women... Yet, incongruously, the last song is a tongue-in-cheek take on the punk community's views of sexuality. Each track comes with an explanation of the lyrics- although sometimes the explanations are longer than the songs themselves.

These four songs lead me to believe Stressed Out is on their way to finding their identity. Not entirely flippant, not entirely serious, 100% DIY. If you're a fan of 2000-era HC, like Life's Halt, Dirty Dirt and the Dirts, etc. give this a spin (http://www.myspace.com/stressedoutnj). I can't wait to hear the next step Stressed Out takes.