Dying Scene Album Review – Rad Skulls – “Demo”

Hailing from Rockford, Illinois and Madison, Wisconsin, The Rad Skulls have thrown down a gauntlet of a demo that has some of the catchiest songs I’ve heard this year. The hallmarks of melodic hardcore bands are alive and well on the four tracks presented to us. Let’s dig in. Opening track “Stories” jumps back and forth between a fast beat and a slower tempo and trading screaming vocals for harmonized vocals when it does. Lead singer Joe’s vocals are a bit more raw in those harder moments, but there’s some reprieve in those softer moments and lyrics that seem to go through a roller coaster of emotions. There’s no real structure to the song which makes these changes unpredictable and exciting especially. Second song, “Loud as Shit,” work...