XTRMST

XTRMST was a short-lived side project of Davey Havok (vocals) and Jade Puget (guitar) of AFI fame that served as an outlet for the duo to pay homage to their Straight Edge hardcore roots. The delivery is authentic, with lo-fi production, heavy riffs, and unapologetic and impassioned lyrics. The first tracks from this project came out on 4 song cassette tape that was given out for free at a record store. The tape had no attribution to who was in the band, though rumours of Havok and Puget’s involvement were confirmed on Twitter shortly after the tape’s release. Personally, I love the no-frills production and self-assured Straight Edge lyrics. It’s not a lifestyle I live personally, but I respect the passion of the message and I particularly like the defiance in the lyrics. Recorded in Puget’s home studio, the recordings are very raw, and the main vocal on every track is a single take. This release was one and done, with only two live shows being played (with members of Saosin, Stick To Your Guns, and Loma Prieta stepping in) and all involved going back to their main projects.

Track Highlights

The first track on the album that I kept coming back for. The sample here occurs in the opening 30 seconds, with a locked-in drum beat giving plenty of breathing room to that riff. I’m an absolute sucker for a groove like this, it gives me flavours of Deftones and I can’t help but still nod my head along after so many listens.

Their most popular track on Spotify, which can surely be attributed to the lyrics. I have always enjoyed a message of non-conformity, self-empowerment, and a questioning of authority. Perhaps listening to music like this allows people to get some of that out… And if anything is left over after that, there is always the pit to shake some of it loose.

My personal favourite on the album, this one has great straight-edge lyrics and blistering guitar work to underpin that vitriol. I’m not well-steeped in AFI’s catalogue, but I can’t recall Jade playing this style on his work in AFI. It’s great to hear him flexing his chops here, and there is something to be said for someone who can play what is appropriate for a song as opposed to shredding at every opportunity.

Smirk and ask me how I live like this when you can barely speak
You ask me why I live like this and you’re barely alive
Only with your friends yeah, just to relax, just to let go
And the weekend is every day

Jump in

If you like what you hear, and want to explore some more outside of the discography on Spotify, here are similar artists, similar sounds, other side-projects, and more.

Blaqk Audio (artist)

Another side project from the same two, this one being electronic as opposed to hardcore. Influences from this work can be seen on the later AFI albums.

XTRMST Wikipedia page

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