Review / 200 Words Or Less
Electric Chair
Social Capital

Iron Lung (2021) Loren

Electric Chair – Social Capital cover artwork
Electric Chair – Social Capital — Iron Lung, 2021

This is short, fast, loud; brutal, punishing stuff. Ripping straight into it with “Bastard,” the first verse is spit-shouted in a way that, to normal people who don’t listen to this kind of thing all the time, will literally sound like he’s saying “blah blah blah, fuck shit.” It’s damn fast, and damn angry.

But speed and intense drumming isn’t enough for a good song. The chords rip and rage, but with alternately winding and chunky bridges that add layers to the fury. Those in-between moments aren’t just a pause to catch one’s breath; tonally it gives both momentum and direction to the chaos.

This 7” has 6 songs total and they each sound like timeless hardcore with heart, fury and adrenaline that doesn’t let up until the needle slips off the wax. It’s exactly what you want in the style, mixing it up just enough that all the songs sound different while merging together into riotous blast at roughly five minutes per side. The songs run at such a high rpm that the 3:03 title track that closes it out feels like a marathon.

8.5 / 10Loren • June 14, 2021

Electric Chair – Social Capital cover artwork
Electric Chair – Social Capital — Iron Lung, 2021

Recently-posted album reviews

Miller Lowlifes

Pinch Hitters
ADD Records (2025)

The debut album from Florida punk band Miller Lowlifes features a vintage baseball theme, best enjoyed with a can of cheap domestic beer in hand. The metaphor fits, as Pinch Hitters focuses on the American dream -- and where it stands in 2025. The vintage educational TV audio clips add to this past-meets-present theme. It's an album that's equally about … Read more

Art Brut

Sorry, That It Doesn't Sound Like It's Planned! Battling Satan, 2009 - 2020
Edsel Records (2025)

I’ve never reviewed a box set before but Art Brut released my favourite sprechgesang anti-art-punk album of the early aughts so I figured I’d give it a go. 2005’s Bang Bang Rock & Roll placed Art Brut among the “Art Wave” scene but was more post-punk revival than “Indie Sleaze”. Argos has cited Jonathan Richman and Axl Rose as his … Read more

The Slow Death

No Light To See
Don’t Sing Records (2025)

Few bands have as fitting a name as The Slow Death. They play forlorn, self-deprecating punk that’s heavily influenced by lonesome country. The music itself is more driving and punchy, but many of the lyrics would fit just well in a somber old-timey country ballad. It’s forceful music that punches inward instead of at The Man. The first song is … Read more