Speed - Only One Mode - CASSETTES

To catch everyone up Australian hardcore band Speedis putting their foot down on the world. For hardcore kids from Sydney, which is where Speed's from and what they represent, this is a first. Everyone in the band has been going to shows for years-'real moshers,' always up front, dancing. (The full lineup Aaron Siow and brother Jem, on bass and vocals respectively, Josh Clayton and Dennis Vichidvongsa on guitars, and Kane Vardon on drums.) During a lull period in their home scene-'there were no new bands going on'-the guys stepped up and tapped in. Speed decided to start out hard and traditional-a highlevel aesthetic decision that, every five years, an all-time hardcore band does. A reset. For their first year, the group referred to itself on flyers and in interviews as two words, 'Speed HARDCORE,' to make things extra simple. This is what they're about hardcore, played hard, played fast, 'for us, by us'-explicit, immediate, definitive-hinting at all the crucial bands that have come before them.Their new debut full-length, Only One Mode, exemplifies their growth and distillation. It's a concept album in one sense a manual that explains, directly, Speed's beliefs, the five guys' personalities, what they bring to the table, and what's special about their scene. Topics are sharp 'Real Life Love,' about the loyalty and realness they've learnt from hardcore, shows how Speed connected through showing up; a depth of expression and emotion set against very punishing music. 'The First Test' is full of dynamics-held notes, a tasteful flute break-and speaks on finding oneself as a marginalized individual-in Siow's case, as an Asian-born Australian striking out alone and growing in a beautiful and ugly world. 'Kill Cap' displays real vulnerability-heartache, regret, spiritual themes, an homage to the friends and family lost to suicide. Lyrics on Only One Mode embrace perspe