Skip to content
System Shock: Hardcore Mania cassette (Poison Vision Records) Poison Vision delivers another ripper, further cementing their growing reputation as the go-to label for old-fashioned (North) American hardcore. System Shock is a two-person project from Canada, with “Tommy Käng, MD” playing all the instruments and D’arcy Rix Hayes handling lyrics and vocals. Maybe it’s the “one person playing everything” thing or the fuzzy four-track-style recording, but System Shock reminds me a lot of Shaved Ape. They have a similar riffing style and similar vocals too, the singer pulling air from so deep it sounds like they’re in danger of coughing up their esophagus. System Shock isn’t as tight or as precise as Shaved Ape (what is?), but the scope of their sound is a little wider, making room for flourishes like the lead guitar parts at the end of “Corporate Rats” and “Boring Apocalypse.” There’s no room for slow in their sound, though, as this barely deviates from a blistering tempo. System Shock sticks closely to the standard USHC template, which is fine by me and likely anyone else who likes it fast and raw.