Fans of the heyday of hardcore, specifically the NYHC scene, can wipe their brows in relief, as an answer to everyone's prayers has quite possibly been found: a crack squad of aficionados who aren't afraid to show their affection for their city's roots. Shutdown has snatched up the torch and methodically restored faith and integrity to NYC's crumbling scene. This CD-EP only gives you a taste of what's to come (their next full length is scheduled for a July release), but what you DO get is some speedy, in-your-face, guitar-driven pounding that'll (hopefully) knock some sense back into your head. Don't expect some bastardized, genetically-messed-up hardcore-metal mutation here; there aren't any gorgeous undertones or quietly strummed parts lurking about -- only a maniacally peeved guitar, a singer with a bad case of the screamy screamies and a rhythm section that'll pound yer muddafukkin head in. Reminiscent of the Cro-Mags and Judge, Shutdown gallop through these four tracks at a frenetic pace, blowing off ballads for a straight-ahead, slice your neck and shriek like hell approach that'll either rouse your interest in the return of hardcore or have you thinking back to yesteryear, when your favorite old-school bands basked in their own glory.