Review: “Make Them Pay” by Emergency Broadcast

A Vegan Straight-Edge Harcore quartet who were originally based in Istanbul Turkey before  relocating to London England in 2023, Emergency Broadcast have been around for the better part of fifteen years. They dropped their first single in January 2012 with “We Took Control” and taking a DIY or DIE approach they have never looked back, releasing a string of of EPs including 2022’s well received “Inde Deus Abest” as they walk in the shadow of death. Being vegan straight edge means they believe animal liberation can lead to human redemption but can they match the fire of  Australian’s To The Grave?

Guitarist Alexander Izbrodin and bassist Benediktas Leika join vocalist Mel Dirikoc, drummer Yigit Yildirim in the current incarnation of the band, their latest burnt offering starting with the potent “Life For The Dead“. A 60 second burst of scorching Hardcore violence with fierce, accented vocals from Dirikoc, it feels more like the introduction to the title track “Make Them Pay” than a cut in its own right, the two pieces joined by wave of feedback. A groovy Metallic Hardcore riff is combined the clanky bass which takes us back to the era of “Punishment” era Biohazard on a tsunami wave of nostalgia, if they were fronted by Tatiana Shmayluk. They have that raw quality with a hard as nails approach that brings to mind bands like Walls Of Jericho with that grit and integrity in the lyrical narrative completely undeniable. Increasing the tempo and the intensity, “Disobey” feels like a defiant middle finger to the powers that be in the land of hypocrisy, the down tempo groove in the final moments a touch of class. Dirikoc has a heart full of hate and screams her way through the lyrics sheet like a woman possessed, “Countdown to Extinction” a Hardcore punishment beating, loaded with two step bridges and mosh pit violence inciting moments. What they don’t have in complexity they have in the message and that makes for good clean fun, the blood and thunder of their sound something that you simply can’t help but joining in with. “Drowning Dog” finishes the collection with a tasteful menacing and sinister riff before Dirikoc leads a chant of “animal liberation! human redemption!“, the throat shredding vocal performance telling you this one means more. These seasoned veterans don’t miss a trick [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Life For The Dead
2. Make Them Pay
3. Disobey
4. Countdown to Extinction
5. Drowning Dog

“Make Them Pay” by Emergency Broadcast is out 6th February 2026 and available over at bandcamp