Direct Control is the sound of pure, unadulterated friction. Emerging from the legendary Richmond, Virginia scene, their music is a high-speed collision of 80s hardcore ethics and early 2000s intensity. It is music that feels like it might fly apart at any second, held together only by the sheer force of the drummer's relentless pace and the vocalist's desperate, rhythmic shouting.
What sets them apart is their refusal to indulge in the metallic polish or melodic detours that many of their contemporaries adopted. This is 'Bucktown' hardcore in its most essential form: short, sharp shocks of noise that prioritize velocity and impact over everything else. The guitars are thin and biting, the bass is a distorted thrum, and the songs rarely overstay their welcome, often clocking in under two minutes.
If you are new to the band, start with their 2010 release Bucktown Hardcore. It captures the band at their most cohesive without sacrificing the raw, dangerous energy of their early 7
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