Alarmed - S/T 7"

Alarmed is a 5 person hardcore band from Baltimore that has been around for over 5 years now pumping out rock infused hardcore in a DIY style that is rather enviable. Having released a handful of EP's in the past, Alarmed released a self-titled EP earlier this year on Dead Truth Recordings.

I had never heard any of Alarmed's material before heading into this EP. I actually had been interested by them after seeing that Dead Truth Recordings was putting out their record, but they must have fallen off my radar. I am glad however that I've gotten the chance to listen to this record, it's pretty good.

Alarmed plays a style of hardcore that blends traditional hardcore with some rock elements in a way that reminds me of bands like Hollywood without taking it as far as Hollywood did. It's not to say that this a less than heavy style of hardcore, it's pretty heavy in parts, but it's clear that this is not the bands focus. The vocals are raspy and remind me again of Hollywood, but even Shipwreck and Baltimore contemporaries, Trapped Under Ice. The band gets into a groove that never really speeds up to too much, and never really slows down much either, but it's not a negative, it works.

On this EP, Alarmed have put together four very solid tracks that I have a hard time getting tired of. Anytime I put these songs on, I have no problem with letting them go and go without getting sick of it. It all just runs together really well, and it just feels right. If I had a problem with the record, I would just say that it's not long enough. I feel like I'm just getting a taste of something that is bigger, so I hope that this level of quality holds up with their future releases.

With this release, Alarmed really shows that they are a band capable of writing some great tracks, and that they're not concerned with meeting the status quo of hardcore. It's a different breed of hardcore, and it's really great. If you haven't listened to them yet, I suggest you pick this up.

Alarmed on MySpace
Dead Truth Recordings