25th July 2025

Review: “Demo” by Bruiserweight

Recorded and mixed by Max Lajoie (Spite House, Moving Targets, Panic Attack), mastered by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios (Violent Way, Infiltrator, Sundrowner), adorned by artwork from Jon Mayo (Zodiac Killer, Snuffed On Sight, Cold Steel) and released through Lifers Records in 2023, an EP titled “Demo” was the first shot in anger from Montreal, Québec hardcore crew Bruiserweight. Citing influences in the ’90s New York and Cleveland Hardcore scenes and bands like Biohazard, Madball and Integrity, the four piece got together in December 2022 and opened for Buried Alive just two months later. That means these tracks are the first they committed to tape having been played live over the course of their first seven months as a band but does it really qualify as a demo?

Committing to a little inception level madness “Bruiserweight” opens this four track affair with a Metallic Hardcore number that has all the old school vibes you could possibly want and then some. Galloping drums, a classic pick slide and abrasive riffs are all present and correct, as if taught lessons in violence by the 90’s scene that they’ve taken to heart. The surprise is that nothing sounds cliché or forced and there is no style over substance. Instead this sounds natural and authentic, like the band were around at the time and grew up in the scene they cite as their biggest influence. Mosh parts, well executed tempo changes and a certain amount of Hardcore groove is exactly what the doctor ordered and with this tone setter the band strike the right chord. Introducing some Hardcore Punk flavours “Imposter” then sounds like it was borrowed from Sick Of It All, something fuelled by the style of vocalist Grayson Carpenter. Slowing down a little for a hard hitting breakdown makes for a moment of sheer class and lets be honest, this is about as far from a demo as you can get. It’s a debut EP in all but name. Designed for two steppers to take to the floor “Hard Times” has the gang chants you want as the band lean on genre lyrical themes of unity and strength in numbers. A flawlessly executed Hardcore track that has a timeless quality to it, if this one was from one of the genre big guns, no one would question it. It’s that good. Returning to the Hardcore Punk influences “Killing Spree” dances with the devil, a funky bass line holding it all together like a staple on a wound. Lyrically socially and politically aware, this one drives the point home in style. This record isn’t a first stab in the dark from a band trying to find their feet and look for a sound, it’s the finished product from a group who know exactly what they’re doing [7/10]

Track Listing