Clear-cut messages that anyone can get behind

For a band that formed a little under two years ago (2017), What Time Takes acts as a feeler to see where Berthold City can take their craft next. When the Los Angeles-based, Hardcore band released their first EP soon after their formation, they presented themselves as someone to keep an eye out for. 

Compared to their debut EP, Moment of Truth, this 7” is hard-hitting from the first second. While “Moment of Truth” opened with a rap sequence, “What Time Takes-” starts with heavy guitar and boiling anthem lyrics. With only four songs, it only takes listeners a little under eight minutes to headbang along to each track. 

The short run time doesn’t feel so fast when listening because the lyrics really grab people’s attention and they feel the need to grasp every word being yelled. From the first track, lyrics are preaching to live for today and don’t dwell on the past because “what time takes/ you can’t get back.” If you “move too fast” or “move too slow,” you’re going to miss out on life itself. It’s a simple message that more people need to hear and take to heart and the songs after follow suit.

“No One to Blame,” the second track, is about people taking initiative to change their life. People have no one else to blame if they want to change, but don’t put the effort in to see it. As in the first song, the vocals are the in-your-face kind which makes the message sink in with a slap to the face, which some people need.

Continuing the pattern, the third and fourth tracks, “Beware the Snakes” and “Broken Foundation” are almost self-explanatory due to their names. Each song delivers a much needed and simple concept that goes a long way. Throughout What Time Takes, the vocals feel the same but what each song expresses makes it easy to ignore. 

Overall, Berthold City delivers a gut-punching EP that makes listeners feel their lyrics in each track. While it may not live up to the acclaim that Moment of Truth brought, it still screams that they are a band to keep tabs on.