Grief isn’t handled gently on “How Do You Cope?,” the debut EP from Baltimore’s Ousted. The record pulls its weight through seven tracks that move between anger, bitterness, depression, and anxiety, never softening the edges but pushing them harder. Behind it is a band tied to Pulling Teeth, Ruiner, Neolithic, and Dosser, folding those histories into something sharp and restless, then sending it out through Ashtray Monument Records.
Sean Reilly, Mitch Roemer, Jon John Michaud, Frank Oldewurtel, and Will Teague piece this thing together with a mix of urgent riffing, melodic hooks, and a rhythm section that never stops moving.
The opener “Sunkissed” pulls in Justin Smith of Sweat and Dangers on guest vocals, while Alex Cha of Pig Destroyer drops a harsh noise sample into “Heavy Breather.” The sessions went down with Justin Day at New Noise Recording Studio in Baltimore — known for work with End It and Glocca Morra — and Brad Boatright at Audiosiege handled the mastering.
The band describe the overall current of the record simply: “The overall feeling and reoccurring theme is based a lot around the stages of grief. From anger and bitterness, to depression and anxiety.” The tracks stretch that idea without softening the delivery.
Press has picked up on the tension and weight. Revolver called it “hammering through the aching, melancholy-chorded arrangement with unshakeable confidence in their heavy craft.” Away From Life pointed out “confident vocals, melodic hooks, and captivating, multi-layered rhythms add momentum to the heaviness.” The Pitch of Discontent framed it as “that perfect balance between urgent riffage, head-splitting grooves, and anthemic vocal lines.” We put it down to “burnout themes with driving, melodic aggression and gang-vocal catharsis.”
Live, Ousted are already anchored in their home city. Baltimore dates are on the books with Death Threat in late September, SubScape Fest in October, a December Ottobar slot with Shai Hulud, and January’s Disturbin’ The Peace Festival alongside Hatebreed, End It, and Agnostic Front.
And if you want to know how Ousted ended up sounding the way they do, six records sit at the root of it:
Poison The Well – You Come Before You
(Sean Reilly, Vocals)
Even though there are really no two PTW albums that sound alike, this album has always stood out for me in a few ways.
To me, Jeff’s vocals and intensity was a little different than their previous records. There was a little more guttural raspy-ness to them that makes you sense the energy and urgency. This was my go to sound to channel when recording HDYC.
The Hope Conspiracy – Endnote
(Sean Reilly, Vocals)
The Hope Conspiracy(/Kevin Baker) holds the key to my inner rage and aggression. This album encapsulates all things I love about hardcore and this band. It’s pissed off, it’s angry, it’s persistent and meaningful. This record also checks boxes in the lyric and structural department for me.
Less Art – Strangled Light
(Sean Reilly, Vocals)
This one is probably a little off the beaten path for most, but it’s very connected to one of the main constant influences I’ve had over time making music, Curl Up and Die. Mike Minnick’s desperation and timing on this post CUAD project match perfectly with the clarity and melodic tones. Besides overall sound, lyrically, I’ve always been drawn to his style and found relation in them time and time again. This album theme and mood have a big hand in what I was going for with some of the parts on HDYC.
Queens of the Stone Age – Songs for the Deaf
(Mitch Roemer, guitar)
Songs for the Deaf has always been a huge influence on my music. I love how the album has a balance between loose, raw energy and but is intentionally mechanical in a satisfying way. I’ve always loved its controlled chaos.
Mastodon – Remission
(Mitch Roemer, guitar)
They’ve always had a loose yet precise sound that has been a huge influence on me. I appreciate how they intertwine technical complexity with a gritty feel, creating a pretty wild soundscape, especially on their early stuff. Remission and even the Life’s Blood EP are good reminders that not everything has to be polished to be powerful.
Disfear – Live the Storm
(Mitch Roemer, guitar)
Love how raw, powerful and driving this record is. Disfear’s ability to combine punk energy with doom metal has influenced me to maintain that urgency in my music.
Upcoming shows
9/27 – Baltimore, MD @ Zen West w/ Death Threat, COA, Naysayer, and Backlash
10/11 – Baltimore, MD @ Metro @ SubScape Fest
12/13 – Baltimore, MD @ The Ottobar w/ Shai Hulud, Holder and Sick Moves
1/29 – Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage @ Disturbin’ the Peace Fest w/ Hatebreed, End It, Agnostic Front and more
