Ultras: S/T cassette

Description

CONVR55 is the debut self-titled EP from Oakland’s Ultras. Relentless hardcore punk featuring members of World Peace, Fentanyl and more.

Our take: Denvers Convulse Records steps outside their home turf to bring us this four-song tape from Oakland, Californias Ultras. Ultras has a unique and powerful sound, starting with a base of pogo-beat hardcore that reminds me of S.H.I.T. or Bib, but with a noise-drenched, blown-to-shit production style. The production style reminds me of New Yorks Uniform in that its so noisy and harsh that it blurs the line between hardcore and harsh noise / power electronics, but it doesnt seem like Ultras is trying to cross over into the noise table world theyre just ramping up their sound to the maximum level of aggro. Despite all the noise, Ultras catchy riffing style still feels front and center, and their knack for writing memorable, seasick-sounding circular riffs reminds me of those killer early recordings by Texass Glue. It all adds up to a distinctive and powerful four-song release.