With former and current members of some of the finest bands to have launched out of Bristol in the last 20 years, Level Threat certainly have a reputation to uphold before they even start. Born from the likes of Finisher, Priest Crippler, No Warning Shot, El Chapo and countless others, the guys got together after a chat at Dean Lane Hardcore in 2023 and the result is their debut self-titled E.P. It starts off promisingly enough with Smack You Down a ferocious track that reminds me of Comin’ Correct in their faster moments, while vocalist Merv, delivers the threats in a style reminiscent of one of UKHC’s finest, Pelbu of Knuckledust.

Level The Threat bombs along at breakneck speed only slowing slightly for those all-important mosh parts, in a way that NYHC legends Warzone used to do so well. Tear Up The Place kicks in with a thoroughly misleading piece of guitar work, before breaking down into a devastating slice of hardcore/thrash crossover. I mentioned Knuckledust before and I’m going to do it again as Gurt Twelves takes me right back to those late 90’s Knuckledust shows, as does next track Mistrust which as well as some great snare drum work, loosens up slightly allowing the groove room to breathe and even has time for a comedy ending.

Final track of the E.P is Length Pounderz a largely mid-paced pounder, which again harks back to classic 90’s UK/NYHC. Level Threat are a real treat, as they are something of a throwback in hardcore terms, which the scene could really do with right now. Sure they have the mosh parts, which people across the country will soon be losing teeth to, but it’s the ferocity in the faster parts, that you dont see as much these days, that really set them apart and make Level Threat a force to be reckoned with as they bring old school hardcore back to the forefront… Chris Andrews