Barcelona, Spain's the Defense do a brand of straight-edge hardcore that seems to span both the late '90s and '00s revival, with a youth crew-ish style reminiscent of In My Eyes (which, no shocker, is an apparent influence) and Blue Monday, but sometimes adding a decent layer of melody in the process ("The Process," "E.V.P's").

You've definitely heard Statement before (y'know, by other bands), but this is a finely executed quintet of streamlined songs nonetheless. Probably the best one here, the aforementioned "E.V.P's" has an urgent flair that's upbeat but strays from making things too cheesy. The vocals are sung a little more too, showing some individual ambition on their singer's part, and the guitar tone towards the end is deliciously Turning Point-ish (think of their take on Ignition's "Anxiety Asking").

The whole 7" isn't quite as great, but this is yet another fairly enjoyable European hardcore release aping the Americans in approving fashion.

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E.V.P's