Kick me sideways and choke me out, these boys be cooking! Chattanooga, Tennessee’s Kick Out At Two have put together a melodic hardcore EP that may not be breaking down genre boundaries, but it absolutely understands what makes this style of hardcore so damn fun. Choke is fast, energetic, melodic, and packed with the kind of big choruses and aggressive performances that practically beg for a crowded room and a sweaty pit.

Formed in 2021 by longtime friends Casey on bass and Jason on vocals, Kick Out At Two came together after years of playing in different bands and a shared love of wrestling and hardcore. Their decision to start the band was reportedly sparked after seeing Comeback Kid at Furnace Fest in 2021, and that influence is immediately apparent. Nathan on guitar and Ryan on drums complete the lineup, creating a sound built around octave-driven riffs, pummeling drums, thick bass, gang vocals, and melodic hardcore hooks.

From the opening seconds of “Lethal Weapon,” the band makes their intentions obvious. Slow guitar lines create tension before the song bursts into sharper punk-influenced riffing, thick bass, rapid-fire drums, and soaring vocals. The arrangement isn't complicated, but it doesn't need to be. Kick Out At Two are focused on momentum, and the track constantly pushes forward.

The Comeback Kid influence is impossible to miss, particularly in the combination of clean screaming, shouted vocals, gang chants, and deeper growls. The higher-pitched screams won't necessarily work for everyone, but personally, I think they fit the band's energetic approach. There is a youthful urgency throughout Choke that makes the vocals feel passionate rather than overly polished.

That sense of energy is one of the EP's biggest strengths. Kick Out At Two don't sound like they're simply recreating melodic hardcore from twenty years ago. They sound like a band that genuinely loves this style of music and wants to play it as loudly and aggressively as possible.

“Hard Target” brings out the more melodic side of the band's personality. The track has a strong late-2000s melodic hardcore character, combining deep bass, heavy drum hits, aggressive vocals, and relatively simple guitar work. The riffs aren't particularly adventurous, but they provide an effective foundation for the vocals and rhythm section.

The Delta Hate guest vocals are another nice touch. The feature blends so naturally into the song that it can actually be difficult to immediately identify where the guest appearance begins. That could arguably make the feature less noticeable than it should be, but it also demonstrates how naturally the additional vocals fit into the band's existing sound.

“Rapid Fire” provides some welcome variation by leaning further into Youth Crew territory. The clean vocal passages introduce a nostalgic MySpace-era emo quality that could have easily sounded cheesy, but somehow works within the context of the song. It gives the track a strong sing-along quality and makes it one of the more memorable moments on the EP.

This is also a good example of how Kick Out At Two's performances elevate relatively straightforward songwriting. On paper, there isn't anything particularly revolutionary happening. The riffs are familiar, the structures are recognizable, and the influences are obvious. But the conviction behind the performances makes the material feel much more exciting than the individual components might suggest.

“Split Second” continues that approach, opening with a sample before launching into heavy drums, aggressive vocals, and thick guitar work. The Godseyes feature is more noticeable here, adding another layer of vocal aggression without disrupting the track's momentum. The gang vocals could have been pushed slightly harder in places, but the overall vocal layering works well.

Production is another clear positive. Choke sounds clean without becoming sterile, giving the guitars, bass, drums, and vocals enough separation to remain effective. The rhythm section particularly benefits from the mix. The bass has enough presence to provide genuine weight, while the drums remain punchy and energetic throughout.

The guitar work is effective rather than flashy. Kick Out At Two aren't attempting to impress through technical complexity. Instead, they rely on octave riffs, straightforward punk patterns, chunky chords, and melodic passages that support the vocals. That simplicity works for the most part, although it is also where the EP occasionally feels predictable.

If there's a major weakness here, it's that Choke doesn't offer many surprises. The band wears its influences proudly, but sometimes they wear them a little too openly. Fans of Comeback Kid, Youth Crew, and late-2000s melodic hardcore will immediately understand what Kick Out At Two are going for, but listeners looking for something particularly fresh may find the songwriting somewhat familiar.

There are also moments where the band could push their arrangements further. A few riffs feel like they are setting up something more explosive than the eventual payoff provides. The EP has plenty of energy, but there are opportunities for Kick Out At Two to become more adventurous with their dynamics and songwriting.

Still, those criticisms don't take away from how enjoyable Choke is. This is a band that clearly understands its strengths. The vocals are passionate, the drums hit hard, the bass provides plenty of weight, the guitars deliver memorable melodic riffs, and the gang vocals give everything that communal hardcore energy.

Ultimately, Choke isn't trying to reinvent melodic hardcore. It's trying to make you move, yell along, and probably throw yourself into somebody at a show. On that front, Kick Out At Two succeed.

The biggest thing I want to hear from them next is more development in the songwriting. They've already established that they can deliver the energy and conviction necessary to make this style work. If they can take those same qualities and start pushing their riffs, arrangements, and dynamics into less predictable territory, there's a lot of room for this band to grow.

For now, Choke is a fun, energetic, and genuinely passionate melodic hardcore EP. It wears its influences on its sleeve, but the performances have enough personality to make the songs work. Fans of Comeback Kid, Youth Crew, punk-influenced hardcore, and late-2000s melodic hardcore should absolutely give this one a spin.