Stretch Arm Strong Release Surprise EP The Revealing

Beyoncé isn’t the only one who can release surprise albums; artists without high-paid songwriters can do it, too. Long-running South Carolina hardcore act Stretch Arm Strong shocked everyone with a surprise EP yesterday called The Revealing on Iodine Recordings. The new EP marks their first new material in nearly two decades, their first since the 2005 album Free At Last. While physical copies of the album won’t ship until May, the digital album is already streaming on all services.

In the announcement for the album posted on Instagram yesterday, Iodine Recordings says:

“After nearly two decades, SC Hardcore Legends, Stretch Arm Strong are back with a pipebomb of an EP. Full EP is streaming now, Vinyl shipping in May!

“With six songs clocking in at under fifteen minutes, the EP’s brevity is a testament to the lightning in a bottle Stretch Arm Strong captured by taking the stage once more. No longer being kids and now being full-fledged adults with families and worlds outside of music, the bond between Stretch Arm Strong and their love for playing is a testament to what this music means both for them and the countless listeners that have joined them throughout this time. It’s a release that’s worthy of the band’s exceptional discography, and a record that can only exist with a once-in-a-lifetime friendship and focus that the band has.

“‘It was really refreshing to put an exclamation mark on this thing,’ says guitarist David Sease. ‘We did it the way we wanted to, had a good time and expressed ourselves.’ The result of this is The Revealing, a true gem of a record and the model for what can be achieved on an EP. Produced by Steve Evetts (Snapcase, Hatebreed, Lifetime) and featuring guest vocals on ‘Take a Stand’ by Lou Koller of (Sick of It All).”

The album’s producer, Steve Evetts, really is an industry veteran and he has worked with everyone from Vanilla Ice to Earth Crisis. That’s not a joke, Steve Evetts was actually on a Vanilla Ice album in 2001 and now produces hardcore albums. And his work is as cool as ice.

Stretch Arm Strong will be playing Furnace Fest in October. The Revealing is available now from the Deathwish Inc. store.