Ikaika’s latest EP lands like a tsunami of raw, unfiltered energy, churning up waves of aggression that will have you ready to tear it up in the pit. Drawing heavy influence from bands like Hatebreed, they bring some meaty, hard-hitting riffs that evoke pure adrenaline. While the EP shows plenty of promise, a few minor missteps hold it back from reaching its full potential. Still, there’s no denying that Ikaika is a force to be reckoned with—especially for fans of heavy, hardcore-driven sounds.

The riffs on this EP absolutely deliver, coming in with a fierce, almost primal aggression that’s bound to shake you to your core. On tracks like “Lahaina Strong” and “Endless Battle,” the breakdowns are downright crushing, with thick, beefy grooves that hit like a freight train. These moments come with a rawness that really brings the intensity to life. And to keep things fresh, Ikaika mixes in some melodic elements to the riffing—offering just enough contrast to make these tracks feel more dynamic, without losing any of that pure, brutal energy.

What makes these riffs even harder-hitting are the lyrics. Ikaika's words carry real weight, dealing with heavy topics like the devastating wildfires that ravaged communities in Hawaii, the ongoing legacy of colonization, and the damaging influence of corrupt governments. These themes resonate deeply with anyone who’s ever felt the weight of social injustice, and it’s clear that Ikaika’s music comes from a place of raw emotion and urgency. The passion behind these lyrics, combined with those crushing riffs, creates a powerful combination that will leave you feeling like you’re ready to take on the world—whether you're moshing in the pit, powering through a workout, or screaming the words in your bathroom mirror like a battle cry.

The bass on this EP is another standout feature, helping to lay down a foundation of heaviness that keeps everything feeling thick and weighty. The basslines especially shine on “Lahaina Strong,” adding a deep, resonant layer to the track’s already dense sound. It’s the kind of bass that punches you in the chest, grounding the aggressive riffs with a low-end fury that makes the entire sound feel more massive.

The drumming is equally commanding, with kick drums that hit with a dense, almost oppressive feeling that gives the music a bold, imposing presence. There’s a lot of power behind the beats, and the band does a solid job of keeping things interesting with some well-placed fills. That said, there are moments—particularly on "Hammer & Nail"—where the fast, punk-style drumming starts to feel a bit repetitive. The speed is there, but it lacks the same level of variation and excitement that the rest of the instruments bring, which slightly drags the momentum of the track.

Unfortunately, the vocals, though powerful at times, suffer from a bit of an odd production issue. At their best, the vocals are crisp and commanding, fitting perfectly with the overall aggression of the music. However, there are moments where the vocals feel hollow and over-processed, as though there's too much reverb or a lack of clarity in the mix. This can be a little distracting, especially when the emotion of the lyrics is meant to hit hard but gets slightly lost in the spacey production.

Another minor issue with the EP is some of the structural choices. For instance, the intro track—a trap beat—feels out of place. While it may have been intended as a way to set the tone, it doesn’t really add anything to the flow of the EP and could easily have been incorporated into the second track to create a smoother, more cohesive listen. It’s a questionable choice that doesn’t serve the music in a meaningful way and feels a bit like filler. Similarly, on songs like "Lahaina Strong" and “Endless Battle,” the endings feel incomplete—like the band is teasing you with the promise of another breakdown, only to cut it off before it happens. While it’s tempting to leave listeners wanting more, these moments feel a little unsatisfying and could be more impactful with a more definitive finish.

Despite these minor hiccups, the Pacific Islander influence is undeniably strong on this EP. You can feel the passion and intensity behind every note, and while it’s not perfect, there’s a lot of potential here. With a bit more refinement, Ikaika could easily become a powerhouse in the hardcore scene, delivering that kind of full-throttle, pit-ready fury that gets people talking. Until then, this EP is a solid step in the right direction, showing that Ikaika is a band worth keeping an eye on.