Confusion/Chaos/Misery by The Hope Conspiracy is the band’s aggressive return to the hardcore scene after 14 years. They have been largely silent since 2009, with members active in other groups including All Pigs Must Die, Hesitation Marks, and Paint it Black. Dialing back in their brand of classic metallic hardcore, Confusion/Chaos/Misery also leans heavily into early thrash, with d-beat rhythms and blistering solos that feel like early Metallica.

The EP Feels dangerous, even unhinged at times. This is not a slick record with carefully planned chaotic moments. Rather, they take a go-for-broke attitude into the songs, which makes their hellbent for destruction approach to hardcore feel all the more authentic.

The pace across the four tracks is unrelenting. And clocking in at just over 10 minutes, they make sure to infuse aggression into every second of its runtime. The band is back to tear into the current socio-political climate with extreme prejudice. Their anger and vitriol are palpable. And at the end of 2023 leading into 2024, this is a message we need to hear. And according to their press release, they say this is just the beginning. So we have a lot more to look forward to in the year to come.