North Carolina hardcore outfit Chained don’t waste a second on polish or pretense. Their new EP, Cut Out the Stigma, arrives raw, heavy, and unapologetically aggressive — the kind of hardcore that thrives on gritty basslines, visceral vocals, and riffs that hit like concrete slabs. Across four tracks, Chained showcase flashes of ambition, relentless energy, and a commitment to impact over perfection, even if the songs occasionally feel structurally rigid.
The EP opens with “Torn from a Memory,” immediately establishing the band’s ethos: deep, ringing riffs; swelling, driving drums; and a bass tone so filthy it shakes the room. The song unfolds almost like a stitched-together medley, with three distinct sections each hitting hard on their own. It’s a bold statement of intent, throwing every idea into the pit right from the first note.
That “all-in” intensity continues on “Insight,” where heavy chugs, dirt-covered bass, and biting vocals dominate. The groove takes a moment to lock in, but when it does, the track lands with a steady, head-nodding force that defines hardcore at its core. Chained are unafraid to cram riffs and transitions together, creating a sense of urgency and chaos that, while occasionally jarring, emphasizes passion over precision.
“Mind Slip” stands out for production — balanced, clear, and gritty all at once. The riffs explore inventive chug patterns, and the breakdown crushes with menacing weight. The back half drags slightly, but the relentless low-end and raw energy keep it grounded, demonstrating the band’s ability to carry heaviness without losing momentum.
The closing track, “Soul Sick,” leans into a Kublai Khan-esque style: slow, gym-floor heavy, with punishing chugging riffs and stiff yet forceful drums. Simple in structure but effective, tasteful drum fills and the ever-present thick bass propel the song forward. The stitched-together feel returns here, with multiple riffs and sections forced into a single frame, yet the sheer intensity keeps it compelling until the last note.
At just four tracks, Cut Out the Stigma doesn’t reinvent hardcore, nor does it need to. Chained sound hungry, pissed, and committed to making every riff hit as hard as humanly possible. The EP captures the chaotic, basement-show energy where imperfections matter less than the impact — and on that front, Chained absolutely deliver, proving that North Carolina’s hardcore scene continues to breed bands with fire in their bones.
NOTABLE TRACKS:
Torn from a Memory
Insight