Tension Scale Release A Classic Thrash EP Based on The Burbs

A blistering new release from Tension Scale delivers a pretty high impact and thrashing approach to classic hardcore, metal, grindcore, and more, all rolled into this fierce EP that hits like a sucker punch to the gut.

This record breeds an East Coast hardcore soundscape and does so with classic crew vocals, fiery riffs, massive sonic drive, distortion that's slightly over the top but works perfectly for the energy of the band itself, and riffs that make you want to jump into the pit and get down.

Growing up on the East Coast, I certainly had my share of hardcore and metal, and have been to plenty of local shows in the 90s and early 2000s. These guys managed to capture that essence and aesthetic extremely well to the point where it was even a little bit nostalgic for me to go through this record.

Speaking of which, this is a release that's not just your average hardcore or metal record. The release is not so loosely based on the 1989 Joe Dante film, The Burbs.

Each track describes certain elements of different scenes throughout the movie, but also digs into some of the kind of emotional turmoil and actual tension that the characters go through, and I think it's brilliant that these guys actually wrote a whole hardcore record based on the intensities of being extremely uncomfortable in a day-to-day situation.

The titles of the tracks clearly point to different scenes of the film; there are quotes, samples, and more going on as the record unfolds, and if you know the film, then this is going to be an absolute blast.

The Burbs is a film I know and love extremely well to the point where I can quote almost all the lines in the film, so when this was sent to me, I couldn't resist it.

I got such a huge kick out of listening to the different points of view from certain kinds of characters in the film being transferred into song, and these guys crushed that thrashy, street punk, and hardcore approach with such an intense energy that it feels like the whole thing was recorded right there, live on the floor.

Of course, I wasn't there for the recording, but the record definitely feels like all the guys are feeding off each other's energies the entire time.

It's a bit rare to hear a record that's intense and rambunctious enough to want to see the band live. 

So, for me in particular, this record hit a lot of sweet spots. Growing up listening to East Coast hardcore, punk, and metal, and also, of course, The Burbs.

The guitar tones are sharp, but that bass tone is fat, so you have a shredding sort of high end but a beefy low end, so it comes through very rounded and with a great balance of tones in terms of its edginess.

The record opens up with a track called "Green Sky", and this one starts the entire thing with a sample from the movie, which is one of my favorites.

From there jumps right into this wild punk rock soiree, and this is one of the best songs to introduce the record with, simply because it showcases some of the biggest staples that you will hear throughout the rest of the release.

There are plenty of surprises around the corners, and of course, this is a concept record to an extent.

Again, it's obviously about The Burbs, so you want to listen to the whole thing so you can catch those references throughout the songs, but musically, there's also a lot to soak in as well.

The whole EP comes in relentlessly. They're not putting up any walls around what they're doing, and they're just right in your face, right from the start.

In true punk rock or hardcore form,  the songs come at you like a machine gun, leaving very little room to breathe, and when it's all over, you have to sort of shake it off.

This is a record for anyone who grew up and still loves hardcore, Street, or thrash punk, speed riffs and power vocals, high-octane, blast drum beats, and fun thematic concepts.

If you love hardcore and punk, this is for you. If you love The Burbs and what the film represents, it's even more for you.

This thing was 100% up my alley.

The It's Not Them: Demo is an exclusive Bandcamp release.

With the release of such a wildly invasive EP, we wanted to have a chat with Tension Scale to get more into the record itself and what may be coming up next for the band.

Here's what went down.

Buzz Slayers: Hey guys! Let's talk about the “It's Not Them” EP! This was a very heavy hitting record that portrayed everything from hardcore to punk and metal all in one drop! It also draws inspiration from the 1989 Joe Dante film The Burbs! What made this EP happen?

This demo came together fast and dirty—five songs that reflect both our shared love of aggressive music and our weird little suburban community. Tracks like Green Sky, House Next Door, and Hard Camo are direct nods to The Burbs—that creeping tension behind white picket fences, and paranoid energy of everyday neighbor-on-neighbor warfare. The EP is loud, sarcastic, a little theatrical, and totally us—equal parts hardcore muscle, punk chaos, and metal riffs recorded in a basement in Salem, MA that might also be haunted.

Buzz Slayers: I love the approaches on this record! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

We wanted it to sound like if S.O.D. and Terror went to a BBQ at Blood for Blood’s house, and in this scenario Scott Vogel is a woman (sort of). We leaned into the power of bands some of us grew up with in the 90s, like Biohazard and Snapcase. There are definitely some nods to our collective love of 80s music, too—subtle, but they’re in there. Our influences are loud, fast, pissed off, and fun—just like this record.

Buzz Slayers: How did it all start for you as a band?

Troy had downtime between Razors and Brix tours and wanted to write a shout-along hardcore record inspired by one of his favorite movies, The Burbs. Good thing our cul-de-sac is full of hardcore musicians—actual neighbors who love that movie too—so the band came together naturally. LoWreck had been drumming in Boston punk bands for 20 years but was ready to scream instead of yelling at walls. Add that energy to Troy’s riffs and the enthusiasm and talent of the rhythm section? Boom: Tension Scale.

Buzz Slayers: The Burbs happens to be one of my all time favorite films, especially from Joe Dante! I got such a massive kick out of the lyrics and how you captured that high tension aesthetic. What other films really inspire you guys?

Nothing besides The Burbs! Just kidding… but 80s and horror films are probably our collective comfort zone, and The Burbs hits the sweet spot between weird, creepy, and hilarious. As musicians, we collectively DON’T usually draw musical inspiration from film, but this was different—every finished song pulled us deeper in. The only other film LoWreck can quote as well is Singles, but no one wants a Seattle grunge band to come out of this crew...

Buzz Slayers: Did you guys record this at a home setup, or a big studio?

We recorded it in Troy and LoWreck’s basement with Swid and Ian Clark from Razors in the Night. Despite it being a basement demo, it sounds raw and real—exactly the sound we were going for—and the fact that it was recorded in our actual neighborhood makes it even better. It’s total DIY chaos—and we love that.

Buzz Slayers: This is an EP only to be released on Bandcamp correct? Why is that?

Yes—just Bandcamp for now. It’s a five-song demo recorded in a basement, and it’s meant to be a preview of what’s coming. This was about getting it out there fast and raw without worrying about streaming platforms or algorithms. We’ve got plans to hit a proper studio and do a wider release next.

Buzz Slayers: So you write the songs together? Is it mainly a few of you that write a song and then bring it to the rest?

Troy wrote most of the songs before anyone even joined—he had LoWreck in mind for vocals from the start. But once the band came together, everyone put their own spin on things, which is how the real Tension Scale sound took shape. Half the fun is figuring out how to bring these crazy ideas to life. It started as a solo vision but quickly became a true group effort.

Buzz Slayers: Now that this is released, are you guys planning shows?

Yes! Our debut show is at Faces in Malden on Friday, Sept. 5th with our friends SkyTigers and Neighborhood Shit. Then we’re at Moon Base One in Salem on Saturday, Nov. 22nd. We’re also trying to lock in a fall/winter show at O’Brien’s in Allston—one of our favorite smaller local venues—especially since it’s their 40th anniversary year.

Buzz Slayers: What would you say people can expect from this record?

Manic suburban paranoia—militant, defiant, and thrown into a hardcore blender with a little Oi! for good measure. We hope it hits on more than just a musical level, because there are so many layers—the movie references, genre mixing, the fact that we’re all neighbors, the raw DIY energy—it’s meant to connect in different ways. Listeners might find themselves yelling at people to get off their lawn without even realizing it. It’s loud, fast, soaked in 80s horror-comedy nostalgia, and we hope you all want to scream along!

Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to express to people who will enjoy this record as much as I did?

Troy says: “Watch The Burbs, learn the words, lace up your boots, and join the party!” Jon adds: “Don’t mess with suburbanites—cuz frankly, we’re not gonna take it anymore.” Jay encourages you to bring the chaos and don’t forget your camo. And LoWreck? She leaves us with a final message: “Satan is good. Satan is our pal. I want to kill everyone.”

BANDCAMP  ||  INSTAGRAM  ||  FACEBOOK  ||  SONGKICK  ||  BANDSINTOWN