With a debut like this, it's scary to think of how good this band could be.

Xerxes' debut 7", on Mayfly Records (Pianos Become the Teeth, Antilles, Former Thieves) show them embracing Louisville's classic hardcore sound and making it their own. The whole EP is based on a skateboarding accident guitarist James Moore had, and both he and his twin brother's responses to it. But even without knowing the backstory, you can't help but feel the emotion throughout all seven of these songs.

The record starts out with "Gold," which has one of the best breakdowns I've ever heard. When singer Calvin Philley screams "No matter what we try to change / things will always stay the same / we were never fucking gold / true to form I will remain." I don't know whether to mosh or cry.

This band reminds me of everything I love about screamo and hardcore punk rolled into one, and most of the kids in this band just graduated high school. The only complaint I have with this 7" is the drums are kind of typical, but it wouldn't even be noticeable if the guitar parts weren't so epic and the lyrics so intelligent. If you ever wondered what it would be like if Touché Amoré and Trash Talk combined, check out this record. Most hardcore bands bore me with the same chord progressions and songs about fucking shit up, it's refreshing to hear a band like this: complex and smart, yet begging you to scream their lyrics at the top of your lungs.