This is what a true hardcore split is all about.

XweaponX is a hard-hitting hardcore band, bringing a raw, aggressive energy to every song, while World of Pleasure takes a more metallic approach to hardcore, fusing sharp, heavy riffs with a relentless drive. These two bands may come from different corners of the hardcore spectrum, but they each bring their own unique sound—and then take things a step further by blending elements of the other band's style into their tracks. It’s a brilliant, organic fusion of sounds and ideas.

Take the way the vocalists make guest appearances on each other’s songs, or how they trade off riffs and incorporate bits of each other’s sound into their own music. There are moments when they’ll take a riff from the other band and rework it to fit their own vibe, or even reuse lyrics from one band in the other’s tracks. It’s seamless and serves as a testament to how well these two bands complement each other despite their differences.

On XweaponX's side, they deliver exactly what fans of their previous work crave: punishingly heavy riffs, a bass that rumbles like thunder, and breakdowns that hit like a freight train. Their lyrics are catchy and memorable, perfectly capturing the spirit of hardcore, while still pushing their sound to new heights. The energy of their demo has been dialed in and fine-tuned here, making each track even more polished and impactful than before. It’s clear they’ve taken the best aspects of their earlier sound and elevated it, creating a more refined and intense version of what made them so exciting in the first place.

World of Pleasure, on the other hand, takes the metallic hardcore approach and cranks it up to 11. The riffs are sharp, cutting through the mix with precision, and the snare drum is so crisp you can almost feel the sting. The frontwoman is an absolute powerhouse, her delivery full of visceral, unrelenting rage that feels like it’s being spat right in your face. Her vocal performance is one of the most intense in hardcore right now, commanding your attention and leaving you breathless. The bass work adds a subtle, yet essential texture, filling out the sound and giving each track a sense of depth and cohesion. And as if that wasn't enough, World of Pleasure injects their songs with a little extra emotion by incorporating video game clips—small, nostalgic samples that somehow amplify the overall feeling of each song, bringing an extra layer of intensity to the already heavy sound.

Together, these two bands completely own their respective sides of the split while having a blast playing around with each other’s influences. It’s clear they were given an assignment, and they more than delivered, nailing it with ferocity and finesse. It’s an album that makes you feel the full force of hardcore—raw, passionate, and completely unrelenting.

RATING: 10/10