Local hardcore band Cross Class released a new EP on Sunday, and despite it only lasting just short of seven minutes, that’s more than enough time for it to snap your neck.

The EP, called Minimum Rage, blitzes through topics such as drug abuse, suburban living and J.R.R. Tolkien in its nine blistering tracks. It crackles with lo-fi energy that lightly obscures  how tightly written the songs are, and while each track kills, the smooth transitions make it obvious that the EP is meant to be consumed in full. 

Cross Class is somewhat new on the scene, having played their first show in November of last year. From the beginning, the band put high-impact passion up front, with vocalist Ian Kappos constantly showing no hesitation when it comes to diving into the pit with a microphone in his face.

Cross Class has frequently played with bands like Stockton’s xMalcomx and Sacramento’s xTom Hanx and always came out swinging, putting on electrifying shows every time. 

Meanwhile, the band has yet to give in to peer pressure and denies the urge to put an “x” on either side of its name. 

For now, you can find the EP on Bandcamp (http://crossclass.bandcamp.com/releases) and on tape. Follow them at www.facebook.com/Crossclasssacramento for news on their upcoming shows. On that note, you can catch them tonight at The Colony at a fundraising show for Profound Sound, a local music shop that was recently robbed. Charles Albright, Shut Up-Stupid, Ronald James Rio and Elder Youth are also on the bill. Cover is $6, doors at 8 p.m. You can find more info at https://www.facebook.com/events/407144989470345/.

Full disclosure: I worked closely with Kappos on a piece to be published in an upcoming literary journal called Milkfist (co-published by bassist Derek Tollefson). It’s also worth noting that I’ve been enjoying Cross Class since their first show, before I got to know Kappos. Give the band a listen and judge for yourself whether I’m biased here.