By Beert
As a DJ of a dumb little radio show on KTEQ 91.3 FM in Rapid City, South Dakota (currently only in podcast format until this fucking COVID situation dies down), I find myself extremely lucky to hear from bands or labels from time to time. I am super appreciative that these fine folks send along some music. This is how I came across System of Slaves. Their drummer, David, sent the band’s four-song, self-titled EP, which they recorded in February of this year. Immediately upon listening, I was blown away.
System of Slaves is a four-piece band from Cardiff, United Kingdom. They blend multiple genres in a way that makes their sound unique. They reference Neurosis and Nausea as points of familiarity, which is appropriate. But I also hear His Hero Is Gone, Dirt, and even some points of Crass mixed into their music.
This EP is full of ferocity and passion. It is a heavy and ripping cacophony of music with intelligent, heartfelt, and pissed off at the state of affairs lyrics, with dual vocals. Such lyrics bring to mind The Proletariat.
The first song is “Obsession.” Musically, it starts with a dirge that quickly fires into some deep and powerful musical energy. The feeling I get is a focused anger. Once they get into the song, you can’t help but grit your teeth and feel your heartrate climb. The dual vocals are definitely a great mix and add a dynamic element. Lyrically, the song is intense. While I am not the greatest interpreter of lyrics, this song comes across as a story about living in a volatile and violent relationship, which results in the abused having to call the police, even though they know the police are not going to help, and will, in fact, continue the brutalization.
Breathless
And bloodied
(my obsession)
Is my suppression
Each blow telling me
Just fucking kill me
Look what I made you do
And I was such a good girl too
(I am the fucking law)
You’re not the fucking law.
“Chaos and Order” is the second offering. It addresses the division and definite inequality in the sexes (in this case male versus female), noting the overwhelming privilege and disproportionate leverage held by men. By maintaining this status quo, we, as humanity, will continually be held down by the state and patriarchy. Within this song, there is hope that if we build equality between the sexes (and between all humanity), we can tear down the powers that stand on us. We need to stop fighting between ourselves in order to fight the real tyranny.
It’s in you and me, can’t you see
It should be love – But we are taught to hate
Woman against man just helps the state.
Musically, it is very reminiscent of Nausea, but the recording holds a thicker, fuller sound. The song also starts with some chugging and speeds up about halfway through. Going back deep in my memory to live shows, I could really see the kids in the crowd rising up and starting a riotous pit moving along to this song. There are all kinds of great sing along spots to cause the swell of the crowd to move to the front, fists in the air, and uniting with the band.
“Breakoff” is a song about realizing the blindness we sometimes hold in love, where we choose to sometimes give in to some boundaries we normally wouldn’t. Upon this realization, we learn to love and respect ourselves enough to end something that is toxicity and that has entangled us. I think we can all see some parts of our past where this was evident. Sometimes, it just takes time to realize this.
You can’t stop me I’m leaving you
Immediately
You fail to see I’ve lied to myself
Frequently
We disown our deception then face it
Honestly
My face didn’t fit, it never did
You hated me.
“Renegade” leads in with a slower interlude (is it a prelude if it starts a song?). Then the song blasts through your ears. It drives along with various parts of power and slowing down, almost to give a moment to realize the lyrics, which deal with the pain and despair of poverty and the hopelessness felt when you’re at that point in life. Thoughts about suicide and feelings that life is not worth living are clear. These sentiments are all too real when you feel that you are trapped in a situation where there is no way out.
I’m fucking dying here, bullet to my brain
When will it ever end, can’t go on again
Mental exhaustion, every day’s the same
Poor becomes who you are, I can’t take the pain.
As a whole, this EP is right on. There is not a bad song out of the four. I couldn’t even rank them from best to least-best. I love this record, and I am so thrilled to have been contacted to give it a listen. I needed to write this review, because I truly believe that System of Slaves deserves to have their gospel spread. They are reminiscent of older hardcore/punk/d-beat styles, but with a fresh sound. And the dual vocals are a plus and done very well. Get this EP and support these kids from Cardiff!
www.systemofslaves.bandcamp.com
