Soul Control

Soul Control's Bore Core might make Ian MacKaye proud. The EP drives forward with the energy of his former hardcore punk band, Minor Threat, while "Anxious" and parts of other songs bring to mind the melodicism and adventurous spirit of Fugazi by branching away from hardcore norms. Also bringing to mind current players such as Rotting Out, as well as alumni Modern Life is War, Soul Control's sound isn't entirely new, though it is well executed. While the EP has its share of misfires - most prominently the solo in "Ugly" - the short run time keeps the frequency to a minimum and saves the EP from becoming dry. In a scene full of bands increasingly dependent on the conventions of their genre, Soul Control's willingness to branch out, while potentially alienating to some, ensures that Bore Core doesn't live up to its name.