Enthusiastic mancunian punks, GOING OFF have not shown any signs of slowing down this year, or since bursting onto the scene in 2020 with their first self titled and Destroy EPs. Since then they have proven to be a dominant force within the UKHC scene bringing blistering high energy, ignorant hardcore punk with face-smacking breakdowns and impactful lyrics – in a world that is going to shit, GOING OFF have something to say.
2023 has been an exceptional year for GOING OFF, from their release of their incredibly well received LP, What Makes you Tick, to selling out headline shows, sharing the stage with hardcore powerhouses such as Terror, Zulu and Scowl and their most recent UK tour with Employed to Serve and Pupil Slicer. GOING OFF’s raw abrasive energy not only shines through on record, but their performance and energy on stage makes for an enthralling and memorable experience.
“In a world that is going to shit, GOING OFF have something to say. ”
First and foremost, KILL LIST is absolutely feral. Initially dropping multiple tracks from the EP illuminating what’s yet to come, this is packed full of heavy distortion and unforgiving breakdowns, leaning into a heavier, even more aggressive output from GOING OFF. Slipping in at just over a minute, ‘CROSSROADS’ rips KILL LIST into action, a belligerent quintessential hardcore track closing with screaming guitars and brutal growls. The heightened brutal and gritty style of the EP is really showcased as ‘PAY THE PRICE’ drops into a punishing pace change 40 seconds in, delivering a pugnacious, eye-watering breakdown.
GOING OFF perfectly cater for whacking your arms around and catapulting into the crowd. Both ‘TEETH’ and ‘SMILE’ are two-stepper’s paradise, furious stopping tracks whipping into fierce, headbanging breakdowns with ‘SMILE’ ending with a malevolent laughter, fuelling the crazy. Concluding with the longest track on the EP, ‘SERVANT TO THE SKIN’ doesn’t ease up on the foreboding grotty sound experienced throughout, delivering the powerful message that ‘we are all slaves to a wicked master’.
From the off, KILL LIST unleashes just over 11 minutes of crazed, hostile energy that doesn’t let up at any moment. Adopting this more savage, feral style is definitely a welcomed direction from GOING OFF as they leave an impressively successful year. As 2024 rears its head, it’s incredibly intriguing to anticipate what’s next from this band.