HotWax - A Thousand Times EP

There's definitely something bubbling away on the edges of the Brighton scene again. From just down the road in Hastings, HotWax have been setting pulses racing with their explosive live shows, and on this debut EP, they are proving more that they can tear everything apart on record too.

Only just out of school they may be, but they've already graduated with honours here. 'A Thousand Times' drips with elements of punk, grunge and alternative rock with huge riffs from guitarist and singer Tallulah Sim-Savage thundering in alongside a runaway train vibe from bassist Lola Sam and drummer Alfie Sayers. On the five tracks here, there is no hint of weakness as frantic explosions in pace erupt where you can almost taste the sweat and cheap warm moshpit pints slapping you in the face from here.

On' Mother', Tallulah's vocals drip with a snarling attitude, while the title track shows that the band aren't afraid to mix things up - far from a one-trick pony, this is a band already confident in showing their mastery of the old quiet-loud-slow-holy shit here we go switches in mood and aural assault. Best of all, closing track 'Rip It Out' is a viciously searing and uncompromising statement of intent to take on all comers in 2023 and beyond. Seriously exciting.