Our take: Phobia Records brings us a new 4-song EP from this Vancouver band. Phane has put out several records over the past few years, but Police System is the first time I’ve given them a close listen. While the artwork on Police System references UK82 tropes, to me there’s at least as much burly Discharge-style hardcore in Phane’s sound. They remind me of Bonecrusher-era Broken Bones, with UK82-style chanted choruses, simple but hooky riffs, and a guitarist with a capable chugging palm and a predilection for flashy lead overdubs. A good portion of Police System’s running time is given over to a cover of “Time Is Running Out” by their fellow Canadians Unruled, a choice whose ripping middle section plays to Phane’s strengths, but whose melodic, oi!-influenced intro and outro showcase their flexibility. A killer, classic-sounding 4-song hardcore punk EP.
Our take: Phobia Records brings us a new 4-song EP from this Vancouver band. Phane has put out several records over the past few years, but Police System is the first time I’ve given them a close listen. While the artwork on Police System references UK82 tropes, to me there’s at least as much burly Discharge-style hardcore in Phane’s sound. They remind me of Bonecrusher-era Broken Bones, with UK82-style chanted choruses, simple but hooky riffs, and a guitarist with a capable chugging palm and a predilection for flashy lead overdubs. A good portion of Police System’s running time is given over to a cover of “Time Is Running Out” by their fellow Canadians Unruled, a choice whose ripping middle section plays to Phane’s strengths, but whose melodic, oi!-influenced intro and outro showcase their flexibility. A killer, classic-sounding 4-song hardcore punk EP.