SCREAMING BLOODY MESS (AUSTRALIA): - There was a while back when I was would buy pretty much anything released on Gainesville, Florida’s No Idea records. One of the great-unheralded punk bands from this scene and label were the almighty Panthro UK. They played furious, pissed off trailer park thrash that was pretty fucking hard to beat on any day of the week. From the ashes of Panthro, Unitas and Discount comes House on Fire who though sounding a little more ‘rock’ than Panthro did (check the song ‘Texas Rattlesnake’) but still manage to play like ADD sufferers on LSD, (or maybe PCP) and MSG. These guys have already sadly disbanded but look out for their new project Black Cougar Shock Unit. Geek fact - only 500 have been made on colored vinyl, awright? (Tim Scott)

PUNKNEWS.ORG: - There’s just something great about melodic hardcore when it’s done the right way. Bands come and go; some make a mark and have a solid following for years to come, some fade into obscurity before they ever get a chance. Right now I’m going to bet on House on Fire being grouped with the former. This Florida band features members of Unitas, Panthro UK, and Discount. I’m not sure if this is the style I’d really expect from that amalgamation of bands, but nonetheless, this 7” is spectacular.

Like I said at the beginning of this review, when melodic hardcore is done right, few things can top it. House on Fire does it right. Shredding guitars, powerful, gritty, yet catchy vocals, and heartfelt lyrics, I’m not sure what else you could ask for here. The EP starts off very strongly with the title track. “House on Fire”, with its gang vocals and sharp lyricism is a great introduction. I’d have to say that this is my favorite song on here; I guess I’m a sucker for this kind of urgency. The band calms things down a bit for the second track, “Texas Rattlesnake”. This song isn’t as angry as the first track, but there’s still an undercurrent of intensity flowing through it. I can’t say that there are tracks that stand out far above the rest, because they’re all very good. When I get something to review, I always make sure that I listen to it the whole way through, just to be fair. Sometimes this is a chore (Lucerin Blue), but in this case I wouldn’t dream of not listening to this EP the whole way through.

There’s not really much else to talk about. I don’t think there are enough superlatives out there to say just how good this is, and I don’t want this to sound more overbearing than it already does. It’s only August and there are still a number of high anticipated releases that I haven’t listened to yet, but this is a very strong contender for the top EP of the year. If you like melodic hardcore, or just good music in general, put this on your list; you’ll thank me later. I believe this band is slated to release a full length on No Idea, I can’t wait. (FortyMinutesWest)

RAZORCAKE MAGAZINE: - From the break apart of Panthro UK United 13 comes vocalist, Alex, and drummer, Shane (who left this band after this was recorded. Bummer. Personal experience has lent me to believe that people with Didjits tattoos are usually better drummers). The similarities to the almighty, highly missed Panthro are obvious: thick shouts and chorused screams, music so tight and swirling, you swear it could suck up a trailer park - astroturf, lawn frogs, and all - and crash it all right through your stereo. It's tough stuff by its pure force, not some dumb posturing. If Panthro's a little vague (go buy Sound of a Gun. It'll make you shake your steering wheel), I hear a lot of early Texas hardcore in the music - bits of Dicks, bits of Really Red - sidled next to early Hot Water Music to a time when emo hadn't been a gang raped term bandied about in the bigger press. Yeah, it's fantastic stuff. Highly recommended for members of the USFC (a Leatherface appreciation society). Todd

MAXIMUMROCK'N'ROLL: - Some of us are still mourning the demise of Panthro UK United 13 who were one of the best bands to come out of Florida...ever. Fear not little ones, for I have found an adequate replacement in House On Fire. Fearturing Alex Ulloa (vocalist of Pantro) with folks from Unitas and Discount. This band rocks in the same "Gainsville band meets Pegboy" way that Panthro did. A little more rock but still epic and catchy like his old band, this is a triumphant return for Ulloa and a great fucking EP, can't wait to hear the LP.

SHREDDING PAPER: -Only 500 made on colored vinyl. Solid hardcore from No Idea territory (i.e. Gainesville, FL) featuring former members of Discount, Unitas, and Panthro UK. Supposedly closer in similarity to the last band, though I'm not familiar enough with their material to comment (though this wouldn't be mistaken for the first two bands in a blind taste test). So if you're still hurting for a Panthro UK fix this is probably the place to go. David

SLUG AND LETTUCE: - I was really afraid I was going to seem like the biggest jerk in the world when it comes to 7" reviews, until I got this one. It's amazing sounding as well as looking. House on Fire are guys from Panthro UK United 13, (who I think were very underated) and Discount. Musically, they sound like you would imagine a band composed of members of two such bands would sound, pretty darn good. The color scheme is also not unlike fire. This 7" looks as good as it sounds. TNT