Nasty. Ugly. Brutal. These are the words that come to mind when describing Direct Measure’s new full-length Might And Might Alone. The heavy hitters from The Gateway City have been kicking it since 2018 started under the name Brute Force, but reclaiming their identity as Direct Measure certainly didn’t slow them down.

The band self-released Road To Nowhere in 2018 and The Worst of Us in 2019 before teaming up with Patient Zero Records (Crafter, Discourage, Burning Strong) in the U.S. and Nuclear Family Records (Vision Quest, Apex Predator, Clobber) in the U.K. to release their self-titled EP in 2021. The band worked with Patient Zero once again for their 2022 Promo before being called up to the big leagues to release 2025’s Might And Might Alone via Los Angeles, California hardcore mainstay label WAR Records (Berthold City, Strife, Home Invasion). The record contains 10 tracks of unrelenting crucial crossover from some of the most talented students of the game heard in quite some time.

Track one’s “Intro/Proelium” starts with the clashing and clanging of an epic battle which fits in nicely with the band’s current imagery. Right away, Direct Measure go for the throat with a face-melting solo and a scream that will send you to the edge of your seat. Keeping things firmly hardcore, the band come out the gate with speed, a two step, an evil breakdown. It’s unbelievable that this is only the first song of the record and they’ve already kicked so much ass. Followed by “Our Solitude,” which contains much of the same structure, but exploring new avenues with which to deliver it upon. An effort that is equal parts Shai Hulud as it is Slayer, the record already fits in nicely with listeners of all types of heavy music, not just hardcore.

“Die With A Mask On” is a self-deprecating, introspective narrative that brings equal amounts of bounce and brutality. Showing their authority in the realm of songwriting, “Testing Our Bonds” is proof that the band’s got chops with its melodic opening. The guitar leads in this song really deliver and propel it through its predominantly mid-tempo pace. Keeping things interesting, the band close the song by speeding it up. “Hour of Siege” is ripe with tasty guitar licks, interesting transitions, and demands for banging heads. Even your Motörhead-loving biker uncle couldn’t help but crack a smile at this one. “Cremation” gets even more melodic with an enchanting acoustic guitar intro. “Cremation” gives off early 2000s Ferret Music or Trustkill Records metalcore vibes (aka good metalcore)–somewhere in the nexus of Darkest Hour or Misery Signals.

“Limb From Limb” is the shortest song of the record, clocking in and under a minute and half. Teasing groove and oozing swagger, this one is for the moshers. It contains quite possibly the most demoralizing, yet not actually offensive lyric of the record with “ain’t got no time for you fucking wimps” “In The Crosshairs” gives even the best of crossover bands a run for their money with expert tremolo picking and guitar leads that just walk all over the competition with ease. The icing on the cake is an absolutely unexpected breakdown with a fucking shotgun blast that starts off like something off of Metallica’s “Kill ‘Em All”, but resolves into an ending from the world of aforementioned good metalcore.

The record’s title track is a lawless anthem written for outlaws. With an intro having more in common with a band like Modern Life Is War or Life Long Tragedy, the band takes their time setting up the first minute of the track before exploding into yet another circle pit conjuring riff. This might be the most creative track on the record, which they’ve got time for at nearly five minutes. Taking all of the hardcore and crossover elements we’ve previously heard on the record and marrying them with some that we haven’t like a funky segue or elements found in modern metalcore, even beatdown, Direct Measure makes sure every second here is put to good use. Closing out with an ode to their city, the band get all of their buddies from Drop The Blade, Maladjust, Volition, Time and Pressure, and Squint onto one track. Repping your scene is a classic hardcore move, and Direct Measure really have fun with it here with “GCHC.” All the homies win.

Take note folks because this is how you do a full-length. While this band reside in flyover country, make no mistake that they are absolutely worth your attention if you like hardcore, metal, crossover, deathcore, or beatdown. Direct Measure have a little something for everyone and you might end up with more than you bargained for.

Pick up Might and Might Alone from WAR Records.

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