Review / 200 Words Or Less
The Arson Choir
Invisible Monsters

War Against Records (2020) Robert Miklos (Piro)

The Arson Choir – Invisible Monsters cover artwork
The Arson Choir – Invisible Monsters — War Against Records, 2020

The Arson Choir are another fine representative of the new wave of American mathcore. They’re a pretty young band, but they have a lot of power in them and they sure know how to lay it down. Their balls to the wall delivery paired with chunky and groovy riffs, as well as the classic dissonant screeches is very appropriate and well executed.

Invisible Monsters is their second release, a four track EP, which gives us the goods just as we like them – fucking heavy and relentless. I couldn’t put my finger on any particular aspect that makes their blend of mathcore unique. I can definitely say that they’re recognizable as soon as the music starts playing. I may be tempted to compare them to something else or straight up confuse them, but ultimately it doesn’t happen.

I’m pretty certain that we can expect great things from this band, as it’s brimming with potential all around. Be sure to slap them on your radar if you’re even remotely into mathcore and/or heavy and chaotic stuff.

The Arson Choir – Invisible Monsters cover artwork
The Arson Choir – Invisible Monsters — War Against Records, 2020

Recently-posted album reviews

Action/Adventure

Ever After
Pure Noise (2025)

Chicago’s Action/Adventure have been grinding the pop-punk trenches since 2014. They have always played pop-punk like it still has something to prove because for them, it does. They went viral in 2020 on TikTok with their song “Barricades” by calling out the exact thing no one in the scene wanted to say out loud. The genre is full of white … Read more

217

In Your Gaze
Time To Kill (2025)

If you didn’t know, hardcore and punk are alive and thriving in Italy. When I come across bands from there, their scene never ceases to amaze me. Italy gave us Raw Power and Negazione in the ’80s, Slander and Strength Approach in the 2010s. Now 217 picks up that lineage with their own mix of fire and reflection by keeping … Read more

Ugly Stick

Absinthe
Hovercraft Records (2025)

Contrary to what I said on Vh1’s Behind the Music, Tim from Hovercraft is one of my favourite human beings. I suppose in some ways that’s not saying much but Tim plays in one of my favourite bands, I’m a fan of his art and on top of those two things and running a label, his day job is saving … Read more