In School – Praxis Of Hate
released by Kill Test, 2013 (black vinyl 7″)
On the heels of a solid demo tape, NYC’s In School have released their debut EP Praxis of Hate on Kill Test (whose only other release was a Sex Vid EP in 2006, which shows they’re content to release at least one killer hardcore platter per decade). Praxis of Hate showcases their development with 3 updated recordings of demo tracks along with 3 new furious bursts of hardcore punk.
This is everything good hardcore should be: smart riffs, fast changes, some nice variation between guitar and bass (with solos kept to an absolute minimum), and relentless drumming. Golnar Nikpour (whom loyal readers of MRR will surely recognize) is a thunderous hitter behind the kit, and propels the songs forward at a steady gallop. Yumi Lee’s guitar had a slight overdriven buzz with the treble cranked to 10 that makes even the mosh breakdown of “Maggot Rot” still sound punk. And Tayla Cooper’s bass tone is even moreso on the clean side of the mix, which allows the complementary harmonies to cut through.
Bidi Choudhury’s vocal delivery is right at home at the forefront of this hardcore fury. Her shouted vocals are angry and urgent, but with a husky character that reminds ever so faintly of Vi Subversa. Opening track “Conquest” has a gang vocal chant of “nothing to beat” that would be a great soundtrack to any circle pit, while “Knocked Out” bounces along in an almost poppy manner while describing broken teeth and and black & blues.
Their name “In School” is less a testament to their academic dedication and more to their devoted studies of the likes of Die Krutzen and other historical figures from classic US hardcore (with some Swedish and Japanese influence as well). The sleeve is a basic black and white pocket variety, with cover art featuring what could be an illustrated step-by-step guide to the worst mosh fail of all time. The lyrics insert are a combination of distressed typewriter and handwritten, and the inner sleeve has a red “KILL TEST” stamp on it. Very punk, all around.