Corrective Measure – Not For You, Not For Anyone

Artist: Corrective Measure

Title: Not For You, Not For Anyone

Release: LP

Year: 2024

Label: Refuse Records

Bangor, Maine, is one of the closest East Coast cities in the United States to Europe. The city is often associated with famous author Stephen King, who used it as the inspiration for the fictional town of Derry in his novels and owns a spectacular Victorian mansion that is a popular sight for his fans. Bangor is also home to hardcore wrecking crew Corrective Measure, who burst onto the scene in 2015 with a killer demo tape. This was followed by a promo tape and a now modern classic self-titled seven-inch, released in 2016 through Atomic Action in the States and Refuse Records in Europe.

Releasing a demo tape and a self-titled seven-inch before disbanding is often the lifecycle of many hardcore bands with a traditional approach to the genre. Yet, eight long years after their last release, Corrective Measure are back and angrier than ever with their raging Not For You, Not For Anyone album, which quickly became one of my favorite USHC releases of the year. Consisting of nine fast, aggressive, and no-frills hardcore tracks, the record appeared on Bandcamp in February 2024 and was released on a flip-and-repeat tape by Atlanta’s Designated Moshers Unit.

Sticking to the tried-and-true formula, Not For You, Not For Anyone is a bona fide exercise in old-school hardcore with an intro/bust followed by a clutch of angst-driven tracks ranging in length from 40 seconds to a minute and a half. Within its short duration, the record packs a powerful lyrical punch, addressing themes of authenticity, mental resilience, societal control, and empathy.

“The Show” critiques performative activism, urging real action over passive observation. “N.F.Y.N.F.A.” is an angry rant against hypocrisy within the scene, championing authenticity over desperate validation. The classically titled “Attitude Adjustment” explores the struggle for mental clarity, emphasizing letting go of negativity to regain strength. “Control/Confine” tackles the struggle against social constraints, advocating personal agency and breaking free of our shackles, while “Everybody Knows” digs into the universal despair of feeling invisible, juxtaposing hope with the harsh reality of hopelessness. Finally, “Two Sides Same Coin” offers a blistering critique of societal apathy toward homelessness and poverty, calling for empathy and action. The personal narrative of betrayal and abandonment adds a bit of depth, making the political intensely personal.

Musically, the band mixes influences ranging from classic ’80s NYHC to the likes of Infest, Verbal Assault, and more modern Lockin’ Out bands like Righteous Jams, No Tolerance, and Stop And Think, likely due to Bangor’s proximity to and influence from Boston. An essential release for fans of traditionalist hardcore with a no-frills approach, what else can I say?