Back in the spring of 2024, i first saw SPEED in Dallas open up for Knocked Loose on an already stacked bill with Loathe and Show Me the Body to follow them. Even though they where the first to open up the show they where definitely the stand out on that tour, as their live energy sets the standard for what a true hardcore show is all about.
All My Angels is only comprised of three tracks for a eight-minute runtime, and it may be the hardest eight minutes I’ve heard this year. The EP opens with the riff-heavy "Ain't My Game” that really sets the tone for things to come. The song transitions into different head-banging, groove-heavy riffs that ends with a chilling breakdown, then fades out with a jazzy outro, almost muzak in nature, but that leading into ”Peace” fits on so many levels.
“Peace” was released back in early September before the EP was announced, and is my personal favorite track of the three here. The song opens with a punk heavy rush that i know is a stage rushers dream when it’s played live. the track then transitions to a groove heavy midpoint and outro, ending with the iconic “SPEED“ callout. It resembles "The First Test" in terms of dynamics, but considering how popular that track has become, more of that isn't a bad thing.
The EP closes out with the title track and longest song on the EP. Lyrically, it is an emotionally heavy track, with themes centered around grief. It hits from the first note, with guitars and drums that makes you wanna bounce with as much emotion as the song is trying to convey. It is among the band's most melodic tracks, despite the hardcore filling behind it, allowing anyone that’s going through what the song is conveying to use the song as a form of hardcore healing.
Overall, All My Angels is a hardcore fan's dream, and SPEED is certainly not slowing down in terms of big tours and bigger moves. They recently finished a massive US tour with Turnstile on their Never Enough tour bringing more eyes to the hardcore kids out of Sydney, Australia. If you're even remotely thinking about experiencing SPEED live, I cannot recommend it enough.
All My Angels is available now on Flatspot Records.
