Velocity is living up to its name, coming in fast and aggressive, but not without hitting a few bumps along the road. This demo captures a raw, youthful energy, making it a fun listen, and I have no doubt that seeing them live would be an absolute blast. However, like many early recordings, there are noticeable flaws, whether in the execution of the performances or the production itself.
The guitars are easily the strongest aspect of this band. When they’re riffing, they bring an infectious energy that really carries the momentum of the demo. However, some transitions between sections feel rough, almost jarring, making it clear that there's still room for tightening up their songwriting and execution.
For the first half of the demo, the bass feels almost nonexistent, blending too far into the background. It’s not until later tracks that it starts to stand out, particularly when it gets a solo moment. Once it breaks through, it actually adds a nice, gritty foundation to the music. Ideally, it would have more presence throughout, rather than feeling like an afterthought.
The drums are mixed really low, which makes it hard to gauge their full impact. Whether this was an artistic choice to achieve a lo-fi, Youth of Today-style sound or simply an oversight in production, it does take away from the overall punch of the music. When you can pick them out, the beats are solid, but they deserve more prominence.
The vocalist has a unique voice and undeniable passion, which is crucial for a band like this. However, there are moments where her timing feels off, not quite locking in with the rest of the band. Sometimes the flow feels unnatural, making the delivery sound slightly disjointed. Whether this is due to the raw nature of the demo or just needing more time to refine the performance, it’s something that could be polished in future releases.
The overall production is rough, feeling somewhat dated. This could be an intentional DIY aesthetic, aiming for a raw punk sound, but it does end up hindering the clarity of the instruments. If the goal was to achieve that classic hardcore demo feel, then it succeeds. However, a slightly cleaner mix in the future could help the band sound tighter without losing their edge.
At the end of the day, this is a demo, and most demos aren’t perfect. What’s important is that Velocity has energy, passion, and clear potential. The rough spots are there, but nothing that can’t be refined with time and experience. The foundation is solid, and if they can tighten up their transitions, improve the mix, and refine the vocal delivery, their next release could be something really special.
I’ll definitely be keeping an ear out for what they do next—because when they hit their stride, they could be unstoppable.
RATING: 6/10
NOTIABLE TRACKS:
Velocity
Big Dumb Ego