Pithair finds a path to empowerment on new EP Sick Set!

“I’m beginning to see I’m the one with the power,” howls TT Roccia on the opening track of Pithair‘s new EP. “The power to make things right, right my wrongs. Who would choose anything less than to be free?”

It’s almost as though the pummeling Philly hardcore punk band hits you with the takeaway of Sick Set! a minute into it, and then spends the ensuing twelve minutes detailing how they got there: a lyrical journey through fear, inherited trauma, toxic relationships, breaking free, and channeling personal strength.

The crunching guitars and stomping beat of “Stone” slam right into the song “Pity Party,” its slow hardcore and cathartic delivery reminiscent of famed fellow locals Pissed Jeans. Lev Ziskind and Tim Rose’s guitars are gripping, and the impact of Jake Cepis’ bass and Rich Hogan’s drums adds an additional gut-punch, whether a song moves at a crawl or a sprint. Or both, like we hear in “Oversharing,” which features Qui from WITCHING, additional vocals from Jacqui Powell , open hi-hat smack countoffs into double-time mosh sections, and what sounds like it might be a Spongebob sample?

It’s an overall wild collection, down to the multi-layered project title; Sick Set! functions as a description of the EP, a common refrain bands hear while loading out from a gig, and possibly also the last thing an artist wants their cathartic performance at said gig reduced to.

Listen below, and pick up the project on Bandcamp.