Review Summary: Floridian (not in the death metal sense) Simpsons fanboys serve up a hunk of juicy hardcore that even the most casual fan of the genre can sink his/her teeth into.
How does a band live up to a name like Evergreen Terrace? Better yet, forget the Simpsons reference: how does a band make music that lives up to an album titled Wolfbiker? The band name and album title may conjure thoughts of yet another kitsch, tongue in cheek grind band or a beer swigging nü metal band with a “bad boy attitude,” respectively; and while these two preconceptions are certainly warranted, they are 100% wrong. The Jacksonville, FL quintet lay down rollicking, thrashing hardcore that, much like the show they reference, offers nothing more than a good time.
And most songs make good on that offer, as they usually come standard with at least one indelible hook and a few pit-friendly breakdowns to please any ninja fighter or penny picker who may be listening. But Evergreen Terrace know when to switch things up just ever so slightly, as shown on the sing-along chorus of album highlight “Chaney Can´t Quite Riff like Helmet’s Page Hamilton” and the powerful chanting (read: gang vocals) and chugga-chugga rhythm of “To the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville.” Heck, “Rolling Thunder Mental Illness” even has a quick “Oi! Oi! Oi!” thrown in for all the aging punks vying for the glory days of CBGB.
Before any more of these song titles eat up my word limit, there is something to be said for Evergreen Terrace’s conciseness. Though it may be the only major thing that sets them apart from the rest of the modern hardcore pack (had to use at least one wolf pun), the guys’ decision to trim the fat and go for flowing – and, therefore, memorable – songs results in what could be the genre’s strongest statement of the year.
