Ohio’s Cast x Down unleash their straight edge fury on Force, a six-track EP that marries crushing heaviness with groove-driven metallic hardcore precision. From the start, it’s clear the band aims to carve out a space alongside names like First Blood, No Zodiac, and Xibalba — dense riffs, pounding drums, and guttural vocals delivered with an unrelenting sense of discipline. Yet Cast x Down add their own flavor, weaving eerie samples and unsettling atmospherics between tracks to keep the tension high.
The opening title track, Force, sets a grim tone with static-laced samples and distorted voices, before detonating into Fake’n It, a groove-heavy assault anchored by suffocating low-end bass and gritty, venomous vocals. It’s here the band lay out their blueprint: slamming breakdowns, room-shaking riffs, and a polished production style that amplifies the weight of every note.
Still, while the band’s breakdowns hit hard, not every one lingers in memory, and the recurring use of atmospheric samples can feel repetitive by the midpoint. However, Cast x Down prove their range when urgency enters the equation. Broken Bonds emerges as the standout track, driven by a faster tempo, scaling riffs, and an epic closing build that locks into a groove that’s both unforgettable and crushing.
Elsewhere, Facade leans on suffocating atmospherics, while Gloat features Mugshot, whose guest vocals inject new venom and intensity into the record. The closing track, Cast Down, is a punishing statement — slow, brutal riffs paired with Carl Schwartz–like vocals that leave the listener with one last hammer blow of heaviness.
Lyrically and thematically, Cast x Down embody straight edge conviction — discipline, resistance, and defiance pulse through every guttural roar and pounding riff. While Force doesn’t always take enough risks to fully separate them from an increasingly crowded metallic hardcore landscape, its mix of groove, grit, and atmosphere shows a band with the tools to carve their own identity.
Ultimately, Force is a strong and punishing statement of intent, proving once again that Ohio hardcore continues to breed heaviness. With more willingness to expand beyond their comfort zone, Cast x Down could easily turn that weight into something unforgettable.
NOTABLE TRACKS:
Fake'n It
Gloat