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SELF ABSORBED
Not For You EP

Self-released (2024)
Rating: 7/10

I’ve not been aware of this Lansing, Michigan-based duo before. Dee Vicious (vocals and guitar) and Pat Wiliams (guitar, bass, drums and vocals) released a self-titled demo in 2022 and another, Silence For Recognition, last year which featured a cover of the D.R.I. song ‘Thrashard’. This new EP, Not For You, consists of five tracks, which, in spite of the almost poppy looking cover, are crossover thrash in style.

This is heavy stuff bolstered by the extra punky snaps of Dee. The opening title cut is a furious hardcore romp which has a strong D.R.I. influence and that’s the theme throughout, but the biggest surprise is the killer melody on the chorus where the vocals resort to an early Fear Factory vibe.

The variety continues on ‘Hive Mind’ where the vocals drift into deathlier grunts, but it’s always furious, choppy and feisty spiked with catchy, crunchy riffs. In fact, this kind of crossover is something I find warming and nostalgic and for the 18 minute duration of this release I was engrossed. ‘I Didn’t Ask’ features a monstrous riff that reminds me of classic Anthrax, while there are strains of Vio-lence too with ‘Split Die’ which also laps at the shore of D.R.I.

‘Best Virtue’ rounds things off where more moshing crunch ensues, but it’s also my least favourite cut. ‘Best Virtue‘ is so out of place because Pat’s vocals are generically nu-metal, and while occasional injections are fine, here they just make the song so darn tepid and poppy and far removed from the rest. It’s such a disappointing end to an enjoyable EP, but there’s still enough here to keep me interested in Self Absorbed, as long as Dee remains at the forefront.

Neil Arnold

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