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Here we go again. The rowdy young good for nothings comprising Hamilton, Ontario’s heaviest local act return to befoul the ears of mainstream critics and deliver more of their trademark down and dirty style of extreme metal. Elevator 22 takes pieces here and there from all facets of metal really, forming the slug-line Steel City Extreme Metal. The new E.P. Manifest Destiny is familiar in sound to last year’s three-song Hammertown Heavy demo but hosts a recording quality superior to it. The addition of supporting vocals from guitarists Curt Smythe and Casey Reaper is a nice new touch alongside the monstrous Bart Maslikowski who takes on lead vocals and bass. You’ll hear black, death and even power metal style vokills at various stages of the disc; combined with an equally as diverse range in the music itself makes for a disc with a charming unpredictability acting as this unholy musical hybrid. Manifest Destiny is slower for the most part, grinding along through the sludgy guitars, gruesome growls and serpent screeches, obviously making the raging Matt Barlow-esque glass-breaking scream leading in the charge of Exsanguine Lover a standout moment.

The only thing that bothered me is that the drums sounded kind of off at times. It’s not too much of a bother but the first time through it’s something you’re likely not to miss.

And of course, there’s always room for a hidden track (the unlisted track six) full of blank air for a few minutes, followed by some mixing board shenanigans on the vocals and some good old fashioned jammin’ out. It took me a few minutes to realize it was the Tales From the Crypt theme song being riffed out there.

Elevator 22 is gaining quite the reputation these days for there live performances and not-so serious attitude to all things relating to the metal business that often times leads to attitude masks and ego trips running rampant. Check ‘em out, hate ‘em if ya like because I think they like it;)