End It from Baltimore are back with their debut LP, Wrong Side of Heaven, out now on Flatspot Records. The band have been taking over the globe since they emerged onto the scene almost a decade ago in 2017. The record starts off with the title track, in a trip filled with as much swagger as the band themselves. Wasting no time with the track “Pale Horse,” things speeds up on the record. Singer Akil Godsey shows off his pipes with some clean melodies.

“Exploiter” is a cold, hard diss track. Sneering, unrelenting, and lasting under a minute in a half. This song is a sucker punch that stuns. The catchy “Billion Dollar Question” dunks on (you guessed it) billionaires. “Who must die to keep you in luxury?” This is the question that gets asked over and over throughout the song, impressing upon the point that these boot-licking heels are no match for the working class. On a similar tip as “Exploiter,” “Cloutbusting” busts the chops of anyone foolish enough to feign interest in hardcore in the form of tourism. Might as well stay out if you’re not in for life, right?

The record’s highlight is surely “Life Sublime.” The music features the characters as avatars in the classic video games. Perhaps an homage to the band’s appearance in the series’ latest remake of volumes 3 and 4, which features End It’s 2022 track “New Wage Slavery” off of their EP Unpleasant Living? Either way, clever video, brilliant song. An identity crisis, a declaration of independence, or a rallying cry for outcasts—Whatever the theme found within, this song is a deeply personal and delightful oration.

“Optical Delusions” is yet another expose of those unlikable. Smooth operators, wolves in sheep’s’ clothing—Whatever you call them, they ain’t here for it. This song captures the essence of what the band is about from both musical and lyrical standpoints. Technical guitar solo prowess? Check. Clean vocal rage? Check. Circle pits? Check. This one’s got it all. Riding further down the rabbit hole of technicality is the intro to I Lament. Quickly whisked away into a fast beat, followed by a two step, this offering is a an apology for past behaviors. Literally a manifesto of a cocaine filled past, this attempt to make amends towards oneself and others hits home. Continuing an interpersonal segue, “Used 2 Be” is a cry for authenticity. Without genuine intentions, all that is seen is someone that used to be—what a call-out.

“Anti-Colonial” is the album’s political anthem screaming for change in the face of global violence, most notably in the case of the world’s children. May this tune be a unifying theme for all listeners of this record.

Hardcore pride anthems are often heard in places like New York City, Richmond, and, more recently, the Midwest. End It take the time to put on for their city of Baltimore in “Future Without A Past.” BCHC on the motherfucking map.

Photo by Kenny Savercool

“Disdain (U Mad)” and “Hookworm” keep the record grooving in a way early Turnstile or Angel DuSt would and are two of the records shortest tracks at 55 and 20 second, respectively.

The record closes out with two of the album’s best. “Could You Love Me” is a cover originally released in 1996 by NYHC stalwarts Maximum Penalty. If the music video is any indication, End It are pretty tongue in cheek about the fact that they’re a hardcore band covering a hardcore band’s rock ballad. Donned in ’50’s/’60’s rock ‘n’ roll duds, Godsey leads the way with his penchant for vocal melodies. “Empire’s Demise” delivers a healthy dose of bounce in the vein of Madball or No Warning. Its catchy “left/right” chorus is sure to keep fists raised at a show near you.

Wrong Side of Heaven puts End It’s best foot forward. Fifteen tracks of pure hardcore, brought to you from the streets of Baltimore, capturing the mind, body, and spirit of what this genre is all about.

Pick up the vinyl from Flatspot Records.

Pressing info:
Christmas Tree /144 (Flatspot Exclusive) — SOLD OUT
Swirl Snowblind /194 (Last Ride Exclusive, Australia)
Tide Pond /294 (Rough Trade Exclusive, United Kingdom)
Metallic Gold /464 (RevHQ Exclusive) — SOLD OUT
Clear Smoke /1494 (Evil Greed / Devil Dog / Imprint / Webstore / Band Exclusive)
Koi Pond /1844 (Orchard Exclusive)