With These Streets, LCTR leans fully into the legacy of early 2010s deathcore and groove-laden metalcore, delivering an EP that feels like both a nostalgic gut-punch and a declaration of raw intent. It’s aggressive, unrelenting, and soaked in the kind of head-nodding weight that fans of bands like From the Shallows, Recon, or early Fit for an Autopsy will appreciate.

The opening moments introduce the band’s approach perfectly—slow, ominous build-ups using well-placed sample clips to set a mood of hostility and inevitability. When the drop finally hits, it’s not just about sheer heaviness; it’s about groove. LCTR excels at injecting bounce and swing into their riffs, recalling the best elements of bands like For the Fallen Dreams or All Shall Perish. There’s a deliberate sense of rhythm, especially in the drum and bass interplay, that invites a primal headbang rather than chaotic flailing.

Throughout the EP, the bass is a clear standout—thick, muddy, and loud in the mix, it adds a real weight to the chug-heavy guitar work. This sonic foundation gives the band room to play with dynamics. They often allow their songs to breathe, letting moments of silence or slower tempo contrast make the breakdowns and climaxes hit harder. In some sections, especially during mid-tempo drops, you can feel the band trying to find their own voice within a crowded genre space.

Vocally, LCTR blends guttural lows with mids and occasional shifts in tone that help keep the brutality from becoming monotonous. At times, the mix does bury the vocals slightly, but what shines through is effective: raw and unfiltered aggression. There’s a clear willingness to play with style—some vocal passages lean almost into sludge or grind, adding texture beyond standard deathcore tropes.

That said, not everything lands perfectly. The drumming, while tight and groovy in many places, occasionally sounds stiff or slightly off-beat in transitions. It’s nothing deal-breaking, but it hints at either early production limitations or a band still settling into their rhythm. Likewise, some of the guitar riffs, while undeniably heavy, feel overly familiar. The songwriting shines brightest when the band layers dynamic vocals over a rolling groove or when they embrace unexpected changes in tempo or feel.

Thematically and sonically, These Streets is soaked in grime, violence, and emotional decay. It’s a record that sounds like it was born in abandoned warehouses and empty parking lots—a world of broken glass and steel-toed boots. There’s no false polish here, just blunt impact and the kind of energy that turns a small basement show into a warzone.

In all, LCTR’s These Streets is a solid foundation—raw but promising. The band shows they understand the genre they’re drawing from, but they're also experimenting with enough variation in groove, pacing, and vocal delivery to hint at a sound that could evolve into something truly distinct. It’s a love letter to classic deathcore sensibilities, but not without some fresh dirt thrown on top.