Don’t Try’s Cries of Domination is a ferocious, four-song assault that fuses punk attitude with hardcore heaviness. The EP thrives on contrast: distant, pissed-off vocals sit atop weighty, clear production; chaotic riffs collide with grooves so thick they feel undeniable; and the bass consistently steals the spotlight with its grit, swagger, and presence.
From the opening crawl of “Universal State of Melancholy,” it’s clear that Don’t Try aren’t just about speed. They know how to build atmosphere and tension, layering eerie melodies and pauses before plunging into groove-laden riffs that hit hard. This sense of controlled chaos continues into the title track, “Cries of Domination,” where crude distortion, frenzied guitar work, and guttural backing vocals merge into a sound equally rooted in basement punk and powerviolence.
Tracks like “Common Stranger” showcase the band’s faster, more aggressive side, while “Another Night in the Ditch” highlights their talent for crafting dark, brooding atmospheres before collapsing into crushing riffs and distorted low-end heaviness. Across the EP, the bass reigns supreme — filthy, distorted, and dripping with character — while the drums remain tight and purposeful, anchoring the mayhem with precision.
The production deserves praise as well. It strikes the perfect balance between clarity and rawness, making the band sound massive without dulling the edge. Despite its brief runtime, Cries of Domination packs an immense amount of menace, groove, chaos, and sheer weight into just four tracks. For hardcore punk fans who crave groovy riffs, crushing breakdowns, and filthy, commanding bass, Don’t Try have delivered an EP that demands repeated listens.
A short but potent blast of hardcore punk intensity, Cries of Domination proves Don’t Try can combine atmosphere, aggression, and groove into a feral, unforgettable package.
NOTABLE TRACKS:
War
End