I don't know what Hot Water Music had in mind before heading the studio to track 'VOWS', but it seems they wanted to create something different without getting too far out from their confort zone for their 30th anniversary release. The result is better than anyone expected due to what looks like a right decisions protocol: songs enough different between each other, high-profile guest appearances (Turnstile, Thrice, City and Colour, The Interrupters and Popeye Vogelsang from Fireside and Calling Hours) and the perfect producer, Brian McTernan, one of those cult presences in the last three decades of hardcore. Expect raised fist sing alongs and meaningful lyrics for grown ups that still wear band tshirts and skate shoes.