Los Angeles straightedge outfit Firestarter come out swinging on their new EP Still Holding On, a six-track burst of uncompromising hardcore that balances youth crew urgency, heavy low-end bass, and no-frills conviction. Lean, raw, and relentless, this release doesn’t waste a second, delivering a sound that proudly wears its influences on its sleeve while injecting just enough variation to keep things fresh in an already crowded hardcore scene.
The opener “Los Angeles Straight Edge” immediately sets the tone — thick, rumbling bass that feels like it could rattle walls, jagged guitar riffs that punch with precision, and tight, funky drum patterns that add bounce without losing aggression. It’s stripped-down, direct, and uncompromising, a mission statement that tells you exactly what Firestarter is about.
That momentum carries into “The Distance”, where sharper guitar riffs lock in with snappy, fast-paced drums, showcasing just how dialed-in the rhythm section is. The vocals cut through the mix with raw urgency — passionate but never polished, urgent without feeling forced. Hardcore at its best has always been about conviction over perfection, and Firestarter embodies that ethos completely here.
By the time “Tear Stained Youth” (feat. Porter) lands, the EP is fully in gear. The transitions between tracks feel seamless, and the bass remains the anchor that holds everything together. Porter’s guest spot is a standout moment — ferocious, convicted, and dripping with frustration, his delivery elevates the track into one of the record’s defining highlights.
The title track, “Still Holding On,” injects a touch of crossover thrash flavor into the mix, with sharper, biting riffs and layered backing vocals that thicken the texture. The pacing and build-up lead to one of the EP’s heaviest, most satisfying breakdowns — the kind of moment built for circle pits and stage dives.
Things take a darker turn on “So It Goes,” where reverbed guitars and deeper, pounding drums give the track an almost atmospheric quality before snapping back into full-speed intensity. Brody King’s guest appearance adds serious weight here, his booming guttural vocals colliding with a surprisingly well-placed guitar solo. It’s the most adventurous and daring cut on the EP, showing that Firestarter isn’t afraid to push outside strict youth crew boundaries while still staying rooted in hardcore grit.
The closer “What It Meant” ties everything together with nastier riffs, twangy accents, and Colin Young’s snarling backing vocals. The breakdown here is crushing — dense, unrelenting, and tailor-made for live crowd pile-ons. As a straightedge anthem, it feels both nostalgic and forward-looking, carrying the DNA of classic youth crew bands but pushing it into heavier, modern territory.
What makes Still Holding On click is cohesion and conviction. The bass is consistently the star, fat and powerful, but the guitars and drums never get overshadowed — everything serves the momentum. The guest appearances from Porter, Brody King, and Colin Young add texture and variety, but they never feel like distractions. Instead, they amplify the urgency already present in the band’s DNA.
This isn’t hardcore reinvented, and it doesn’t need to be. Firestarter doesn’t waste time on polish, flash, or pretension. Instead, Still Holding On is the sound of a band swinging hard, fully locked in, and burning with purpose. It’s raw, energetic, and authentic — a six-track EP that makes its case loud and clear: Los Angeles straightedge is alive, heavy, and here to stay.
NOTABLE TRACKS:
The Distance
Tear Stained Youth
What It Meant