Caged By Poachers blaze onto the scene with powerful shouts of anger and raging guitar lines. The EP runs 6 minutes and 2 seconds, so there’s literally no reason not to listen unless you just don’t like hardcore. Released on 7/27/2024, Poachers Demonstration is the debut project of Lars Rundqvist, someone who, frankly, strongly shaped my personal music taste, putting me onto some of my all-time favorite artists such as The Radio Dept. and Yves Tumor. Back in high school I still remember checking out his favorite band Radiohead for the first time because of him. I’d been waiting to hear music from him for a while- but I didn’t have a clue this was happening until days before.
Track-by-Track Breakdown
Poachers Demonstration opens with a buzz of feedback, followed closely by furious growls that resemble those of an untamed lion. From there, violence breaks out as the drums are set aflame and the guitars lash out in wild riffs. There’s an intensity in every lyric as Rundqvist screams, “we march a hundred miles.” A quick outro closes out the track and it’s onto the next.
The carnage continues on “Stillborn at the Louvre but Smilin’ Wide,” ending with a chilling quote from The Master (2012) by Philip Seymour Hoffman: “If we meet again in the next life, you will be my sworn enemy, and I will show you no mercy.”
Step by step, we’re introduced to what might as well be the title track, “Poachers Theme.” A sinister chord sets the tone before we hear Rundqvist shout, “CAGED BY POACHERS!” followed swiftly by an “OHHHHHHH YEAH!” The track is unstoppable as Rundqvist continues down this warpath, “YOU CAN’T HOLD ME DOWN!” and one last “CAGED BY POACHERS” call.
The attitude carries over into the next track, “Stronger Together.” The drums get thrashed and trashed before the guitars reiterate their angst with some nasty flair. “So take a look at your life / and who you left behind / you’re at the end of the road / but I’m still by your side.” From this point, we get one of the coolest moments on the project, manifesting into a psychedelic breakdown as “by your side” echoes through to the end.
The flash ends with “Rainbows over Russia,” conjuring apocalyptic lyrics over ripping instrumentals. “What a waste” repeats on and on as Rundqvist shouts the line, “the world keeps spinning as it dies.” It’s a grim finale to their debut EP but feels apt given the world around us.
Conclusion
Poachers Demonstration is a fierce display of what Caged By Poachers are capable of, showcasing Lars Rundqvist’s unrelenting intensity and raw talent. The EP’s brevity leaves listeners hungry for more, but it’s a potent introduction to a band that’s sure to make waves in the hardcore scene. Check it out below.
