There is something undeniably satisfying about a band that understands exactly what it wants to accomplish. On Upon the Weak and Broken, Salt Lake City straight edge outfit xforever warx aren't chasing innovation, crossover appeal, or modern hardcore trends. Instead, they fully embrace the darker side of metallic hardcore, drawing heavily from the lineage of bands like Arkangel, Kickback, and All Out War while injecting enough urgency and conviction to make the material feel relevant rather than nostalgic.

Formed in 2024 with the goal of strengthening Salt Lake City's straight edge community, xforever warx have quickly established themselves as one of the more promising new names within the revivalist metallic hardcore movement. Recorded by Taylor Young at The Pit Recording Studio and released through Life Sentence Records, Upon the Weak and Broken captures everything that makes this style of hardcore so effective: dark atmosphere, crushing grooves, menacing riffing, and a genuine sense of purpose.

The EP wastes little time setting its tone. Opening track "Calloused" immediately establishes an oppressive atmosphere through bleak guitar melodies, thick bass tones, and pounding drums. The production intentionally avoids modern polish, favoring grit and rawness instead. Every breakdown feels earned, every groove carries weight, and the band's commitment to atmosphere becomes apparent from the very first riff. Rather than overwhelming listeners with technicality, xforever warx focus on memorable songwriting and punishing rhythms.

"Pestilence Accepted" pushes deeper into the band's darker influences. The crawling riffs and sinister pacing feel heavily inspired by the uglier side of European metallic hardcore, while the guest appearance from Mask adds another layer of hostility. The guitars sound filthy, the vocals feel venomous, and the entire song radiates the kind of discomfort that fans of classic metallic hardcore often crave.

The centerpiece of the EP's straight edge message arrives with "The Highest Truth." Featuring a guest appearance from Excessive Force, the track serves as both a declaration of purpose and one of the record's strongest moments. The slower grooves allow the lyrics to hit harder, while vocalist Chuck Paletta delivers his most passionate performance on the release. His vocal approach never feels theatrical or forced; instead, it carries the conviction that has always been central to the best straight edge hardcore.

"Apotheosis" shifts the energy back toward outright aggression. The riffs become sharper, the pace increases, and the metallic influences become even more apparent. The ringing guitar passages and driving double-kick patterns evoke memories of late-'90s metallic hardcore classics while maintaining enough individuality to avoid feeling like pure imitation. The guitar work throughout the EP deserves particular praise, consistently providing some of the release's most memorable moments.

If there is a track that perfectly encapsulates the band's strengths, it is "Sacrificed." Beginning with eerie tension before collapsing into massive grooves and devastating breakdowns, the song showcases everything xforever warx do well. The bass adds tremendous weight beneath the guitars, the drumming maintains a relentless momentum, and the breakdowns land with exactly the kind of force that hardcore fans will appreciate. It's the track most likely to leave a lasting impression after the EP ends.

Closing track "War Begins" takes a slightly different approach. The slower pacing and more dynamic drumming create a sense of anticipation before the band introduces one of the catchiest riff sections on the entire release. While the song contains some excellent ideas, its abrupt conclusion feels almost intentionally unfinished. Rather than providing closure, it leaves listeners wanting another song, which may ultimately be a compliment.

Throughout the EP, Chuck Paletta's vocal performance remains a consistent strength. His mid-range bark carries both anger and conviction, fitting perfectly within the dark sonic landscape the band creates. Combined with the raw production and oppressive riffing, his delivery helps reinforce the authenticity that separates xforever warx from many of their peers.

What makes Upon the Weak and Broken successful isn't originality. The influences are obvious, and the band makes little effort to hide them. Instead, the EP succeeds because xforever warx execute their vision with confidence and sincerity. The riffs are memorable, the grooves hit hard, and the straight edge message feels genuine rather than performative. While some drum patterns occasionally become predictable and a few songs could benefit from greater dynamic contrast, those minor flaws do little to diminish the overall impact.

For fans of metallic hardcore's darker side, Upon the Weak and Broken delivers exactly what it promises. It's hostile, oppressive, mosh-ready, and deeply rooted in straight edge conviction. More importantly, it establishes xforever warx as a band worth watching as they continue to develop their sound and strengthen the Salt Lake City hardcore scene.