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Melbourne, Australia’s most feared hardcore cyber-vandal cell returns to wreak havoc on your network and your dance floors with the four-track “Psy Wi-Fi” EP. Following up the tightly-wound attack as heard on 2021’s “Pick A Path” 12”, Hacker have defragged the hardware and blown the dust out, striking again with more slightly more expansive songwriting. “Psy Wi-Fi” marks the welcome addition of a pinch more metal in the guitars and a fistful more pummel in the breakdowns to their established blueprint of direct, charging hardcore riffs, a rhythm section that is as agile as it is powerful, and one of the most expressive, capable and rabid vocalists in punk today. Update your firewall all you want, Hacker is coming. Expect them. (Neil Bramley)
Our take: We liked the previous 12” from this Australian hardcore band, and they’ve moved to Beach Impediment for the US pressing of their follow-up. Hacker is a great fit for Beach Impediment because, like other Beach Impediment bands such as Golpe, Warthog, and Long Knife, they’re a great hardcore band that oozes personality. Hacker has a great frontperson with a snotty, raspy voice, a thick Aussie accent, and the ability to land a big hook (see “Scammer”). The band is bruising too, and as with Golpe and Warthog, their mid-paced riffs sound like they probably inspire craziness in the pit. “Deliverator” is a highlight, bouncing between a big, groovy riff that wouldn’t have been out of place on Feel the Darkness and breakdowns that sound like straight up death metal. Great songs, great performance, great recording, great packaging… no weak spots here.