Whenever I hear a band for the first time, I know if I’m going to be a fan or if I’m going to become a tad obsessive right away. Usually the latter involves seeking out every shirt, sticker, poster, and hunting down every color, cover, or variant pressed. It’s this obsessive side that makes me hesitant and makes my wallet cringe.  I’m even more hesitant when the band features members of groups I’ve followed religiously. It serves as an early sign of what’s to come. After four minutes and six tracks, the Clear demo has made me realize I’ve found a new band to obsess over.

Comprised of members of Have Heart, The First Step, and The Frontline, Clear convey more emotion and urgency on their demo in under five minutes than many could do in twenty. From the lead off track, “Nobody’s Fool,” and concluding with “Let You Down,” Clear lay down a tight and focused assault of no frills posi-core that goes off like a grenade and will have you on your feet right away.

Pat Flynn’s vocals are belted out with more conviction than any Have Heart fan will think possible. Every word carries an added level of intensity that serves as a part battle cry and part wake up call to a scene that is missing out on how great it really is. The rhythm section already appears very tight for a new band and had my head bobbing with the first kick of the bass drum. Rounded out by an equally matched double dose of guitars that scream with kinetic bursts of rallied distortion. They echo the past and will no doubt define and influence six stringers to come.

What was most shocking is how fantastic this sounds. Most demos don’t sound this good and, if I was a “purist” (I’m not), shouldn’t sound this good. The quality alone rivals anything the members’ previous bands have already laid to wax. Kudos to Triple-B Records for another solid release, proving yet again how vital they are to today’s hardcore scene. I’m already counting down to a full length, boys.