RECON
Hell EP
[Rise & Closed Casket Activities]
Verdict: 8.5/10
RIYL: MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD, THE MILES BETWEEN & CROWBAR (for the heaviness)

RECON have long been one of those bands that were just ridiculously heavy and super groovy. Almost as if their only purpose in life was to level and destroy anyone and anything in their way. After an almost 4 year hiatus, they have returned and have seemingly become a fiercer creature. Maybe its due in part to the fact that two of its core members have been a part of or touring with THE ACACIA STRAIN and EMMURE. Love em or hate em, they are two of the genres heaviest, with TAS being one of the most hateful of em all. Adding MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD’s Rob Fusco as lead vocalist is definitely a major piece of the puzzle as well. With previous releases, RECON went heavy. With Hell, they are a fiercer, more viciously angry creature. Every track is a violent affair that shows a band fully re-energized and ready to show the crowds of Hot Topic scene kids what true violence is all about. Every song, from opener ‘Sniper’s Day Parade’ to closer (and it’s disturbing hidden track) ‘Bodyburner’, reek’s with unbridled disgust and seething hatred. And not the same ‘ol same ‘ol I’m pissed at my girlfriend faux anger. It’s the kind you can feel and taste. On tracks like ‘Hotel Insomnia’, with it’s opening lyrics “I couldn’t give a fuck if the sun never rises again. Abandoning everything in desperation. That’s what I fucking get for believing.” The absolute hatred is believed. Pits worldwide are eagerly awaiting the triumphant and destructive return of RECON. Welcome to Hell.                     -by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: ‘Snipers Day Parade’ & ‘Hotel Insomnia’
Production credits: Produced by RECON. Instrumental production, mixing & mastering by Justin Lowe. Additional Vocal Mixing & Editing by Brendan Williams at The Doom Room. Engineered by Mikael Mulholland.
Release date: March 06, 2012 (iTunes Release)
In conclusion…There is something to be said about a band like RECON returning to the frontlines. Is it because all this prefabricated garbage that is polluting the air waves and stages everywhere have caused an uprising of pure hate? Let’s hope so. Welcome back guys.

And now, a message from the band: “We’d like to send out an extra huge thank you to anyone who spent their hard earned money on a copy of this record. We know how easy it is not to. Due to the 100% DIY nature of this band and this record, we spent quite a bit of our own to put it together and we appreciate you supporting us and allowing us to continue to do what we love – hang out and make music.”