Beef, the Philadelphia hardcore outfit, delivers a raw, unfiltered sound on Doing Everything You Could, an album that teeters between unpolished charm and frustrating inconsistency. The record thrives in moments of aggression and groove but struggles under a consistently muffled mix that exposes the band’s technical limitations. Vocals are the true highlight throughout—raw, commanding, and often pulling the band through sections where the instrumentation falters.

The album opens with “VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER”, a furious, in-your-face kickoff that sets the tone with deep chugging guitars and thick bass. While the track exudes intensity, the stiff drums and rigid structure betray the band’s inexperience. The vocals, loud and unrelenting, verge on comical at times, but their sheer energy drives the track forward. Speed is Beef’s friend here—when the tempo picks up, the band locks into its groove, though slower segments reveal a lack of cohesion.

“CHEAP HIT” leans into distorted, punishing riffs, but the stiffness and rough edges persist. The bass provides a thick foundation, and the vocals grow nastier and more confident, rescuing the track from monotony. A late tempo shift adds a spark of energy, yet the overall execution feels restrained by the band’s uneven tightness.

“SEEK + DESTROY” finally finds Beef in a zone where speed and aggression work in their favor. The drums snap with conviction, the riffs feel punchy, and the bass grooves with authority. Still, as soon as the track slows, the inconsistencies resurface, reminding listeners that the band thrives in fast-paced chaos.

“MESSIAH KILLER” opens with crunchy riffs and a slow, menacing introduction, but clunky drum entrances pull the listener out of the moment. Once the full band joins, cohesion improves, though stiffness persists. Vocals again carry the track, proving to be Beef’s most experienced element.

“ALL THE SAME” stands out as the EP’s grooviest moment. A slick bassline and snappy drums give the band room to breathe, and a slightly varied vocal approach adds freshness. The slower section, however, disrupts momentum and underscores the album’s uneven pacing.

Tracks like “COMMAND PATROL” and “GRAMMY NOMINATED PUSSY” highlight Beef’s recurring issue: powerful, unpolished vocals often outshine stiff, basic instrumentation. Doing Everything You Could occasionally hits with distortion-heavy riffs and tight basslines, but the band struggles to maintain energy and confidence across slower passages.

“RUSSIAN ROULETTE” impresses with dynamic drumming and distorted riffs, providing a glimpse of what Beef can achieve when the groove aligns with technical execution. Meanwhile, “HIGHWATER” leans into punk-infused hardcore with fuzzy bass and slightly more dynamic drumming, yet still relies heavily on vocal intensity to carry the track.

A notable point is that several songs are rerecordings from their debut EP, Take It As a Threat, yet these versions feel rougher and less confident than the originals. Instead of refining or enhancing their past material, Beef opts for rawness that sometimes borders on underdeveloped.

In the end, Doing Everything You Could is a mixed bag. Flashes of potential emerge—particularly in the vocal performances and bursts of groove—but the album often falters under muffled production, stiff instrumentation, and inconsistent pacing. When the band moves fast, they show promise; when they slow down, the cracks widen. While there’s a palpable energy and personality in the chaos, the record ultimately feels more like a step backward than a progression from Beef’s earlier work. Hardcore fans seeking raw grit will find moments to enjoy, but the inconsistency makes this a challenging listen.