Kickass is perhaps the most apt name for Brooklyn-duo Venus Twins debut offering, a white knuckle punk drum and bass EP that thrills and chills over the course of five short tracks. Introductory “Addition” sets the tone for this release, wherein repetitive, sludgy bass licks and tightly wound drumming throw listeners into the pit, with later tracks “Meet is Murder” and “DOOM // CRUCIFY” introducing more melodic elements to the band’s sound, the former indulging in occasional math-y rhythmic breakdowns and a joint vocal performance by bandmembers and brothers Jake and Matt Derting. Closer “Vile” is the EP’s most unhinged and industrial effort, filled with dooming breakdowns and screaming vox, showing that while minimalistic hardcore may be Venus Twins bread and butter, they’re not afraid to get really, really weird with it. Stream Kickass below, and catch the band at Trans-Pecos on February 10th. —Connor Beckett McInerney
