Massachusetts rippers Latch have dropped their 3rd EP in as many years this week and it once again shows a reinforcement of their take on hardcore punk and what they can do to make the crowd angrier and more embittered. Tackling topics such as the ICE raids on immigrants in the United States, the genocide occuring in the Middle East and the economy going in the shitter. With all these things directly affecting our everyday lives it's best to be upfront and direct about it and that’s what Latch has done with Shock and Awe.
Latch's last EP, Trapped In This Flesh, dropped a little over a year ago and marked a significant leap forward in their sound that they displayed on their 2023 demo; faster song arrangements, heavier breakdowns and a buzzsaw guitar sound that sounded as crisp as it was deafening. One of the bands goals in the last year or so has been to annihilate the crowd's eardrums with how loud they could play and they’ve definitely achieved that both on record and in a live setting.
Show and Awe takes that even further with an even harder edge to guitarist Kaden’s sound as he channels West Coast legends Forced Order’s Vanished Crusade with his axe which certainly caught my attention. As always Travis’ vocals are as hectic and shredding as they’ve always been as he delivers them in his manic way throughout the 6-minute onslaught.
“We’ve always been pretty collaborative when writing music, so we’re still hitting the same influences on the hardcore punk end. As far as the songwriting goes, our approach has remained similar as Cam, Kaden, and Mitch all bring songs and riffs to the table to be worked on collaboratively as a band. I’ve slowly included more commentary on politics and mental health during the set, but that’s mostly due to my personal experiences and challenges more than as a band-centric choice,” Travis explained on Latch’s songwriting style.
This darker, more brooding soundscape adds to the lyrical themes that follow the EP as song titles like “Death Squads,” “Barbed Wire,” “F.A.F.O.,” and “America’s Eulogy” focus Travis’ attack on the current situation with American foreign policy and the racist detainment of immigrants by I.C.E.
“These are probably the most meaningful lyrics I’ve written up to this point. The past year has certainly brought politics into the zeitgeist more prominently. It’s hard to not be directly influenced by it. We’re seeing neighbors and community members taken from their homes by masked agents who won’t even identify themselves," Travis stated when asked about his lyrical influences.
He continues stating: “At the same time our tax dollars are being used to fuel genocidal strikes in the Middle East. The National Guard and Marines are being used to stamp out protests in California. The economy is being destroyed so the billionaire class can scrape more funds out of a starving populace.” Even with the short run time of their EP these songs still hit hard because of Travis’ poignant lyrics.
His angriest lyric in my opinion comes from the penultimate track “F.A.F.O” (Fuck Around Find Out) where he rails against the people who were duped into voting for our current administration and then shocked to find out their way of life would be ruined by his policies. How many days have you wasted away, Spewing all the shit that you say? Chanting MAGA while you froth at the mouth, Smiling as the country’s going south, Stop saying that you follow Christ, When your heart is colder than ice.”
Within 5 months in office the President has gone back on so much that he ran for that many of his supporters have expressed severe regret for casting their votes and the word schadenfreude has never had more meaning than now. Travis, along with many others who saw through the political charade, feel no sympathy for these people. We’ve put up with almost a decade of their bullshit and now crying wolf is useless.
This all could give the records title a double meaning, as Travis explains the original meaning of the EP’s title to be “Shock and Awe is in reference to the military tactics seen during the invasions of the Middle East in the early 2000s. It’s an unhappy coincidence that we once again are finding ourselves involved in bombing other nations in the area.”
So, while we’re seeing those tactics being used once again, as we bombard Iran and enter yet another endless conflict in the Middle East, we’re also seeing them deployed on our own countrymen. With ICE agents stealing people like the secret police, military being deployed to Los Angeles over protests, the title could also speak toward the average American citizen who is also being overpowered by an increasingly fascistic government.
The final track on Shock and Awe, “America’s Eulogy,” is probably his finest work thus far with him pointing all these issues out as the end of American society as we knew it. “They lied about invaders, Coming to take your life, Another underhanded tactic, Round up your neighbors using ICE.” Its closing feels like the prettiest bow that Latch could wrap this EP in spite of the ugly nature of its lyrics. It’s a moment where Travis’ lyrical ability reaches its apex as does the band's songwriting. It caps off the recording just the way an angry hardcore punk record should.
READ MORE: Bo Lueders (Harm’s Way, HardLore podcast) Discusses His Journey in the Hardcore Community
Latch has focused their energy in the right direction with Shock and Awe and made their most clear cut and most defining release and it all takes just six minutes of your time proving that sometimes the short statement speaks louder and reaches farther. They also were able to create this one all on their own with their own equipment and recording space at guitarist Kaden’s house. “Kaden not only writes, plays guitar, and does design work, but he also recorded, mixed, and mastered the EP on his own. This is a true DIY effort.”
Currently, the band is working on getting physical releases together for Shock and Awe including vinyl which will come at a later date. “Production takes time, but we want to get the music out there now. This is something we’re proud of,” Travis explained on the matter.
They will also be hitting up a few shows this summer with a record release show at the Middle East on July 5th alongside The Promised End, Sue and BHC newcomers Vicegrip. The band is also going to be hosting another charity show August 1st at Moon Base One in Salem, Massachusetts with details to come soon so keep up with their socials for any announcements.
Shock and Awe is a reminder that art, especially in the hardcore punk persuasion, should stand for something and they’ve chosen to point out the cruel regime that’s chipping away at the livelihood of so many Americans. While a lot of artists are afraid to make statements nowadays Latch shows no hesitation.
Latch would like to shout out: “All the promoters, friends, fans, and anyone who has taken the time to listen to us. I know I’ll leave a lot of people out if I try to list them all, but the band wants to shout out Kaden’s wife Carolyn who has helped with merch, design, photography, and support since day one. I’d also like to thank Matt, who has bought more cassette tapes than anyone ever should.”
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