REVIEW: Fire Sale & The Corps - Split Decision

Collaborating with other artists has long been a way for respected bands to reach different audiences while fusing their respective styles to create something new, particularly through a single release. MOTIONLESS IN WHITE featuring Corey Taylor is one recent example, but it is far rarer to see two bands come together to create an album release where both bring their own identity to the table. Rarer still is a project that feels like a genuine contest between the two, with each side effectively battling it out across the record. FIRE SALE and THE CORPS have done exactly that with Split Decision.

FIRE SALE are an American punk rock supergroup featuring veterans of the 1990s and 2000s punk scene. Formed in 2021 by guitarist Chris Swinney, formerly of THE ATARIS, the band recruited lead vocalist Pedro Aida, formerly of THE IRON ROSES, bassist Matt Riddle, formerly of FACE TO FACE, alongside Brad Edwards on guitar and Matt Morris on drums. Their sound is rooted in high-energy melodic punk and skate punk, blending driving guitar hooks with rich vocal harmonies while exploring difficult subjects surrounding mental health and emotional vulnerability.

THE CORPS are a high-energy melodic skate punk band from Vancouver, British Columbia. Over the last decade, they have embraced the spirit of 1990s skate punk, combining driving guitars, powerful drums and infectious choruses. Their lyrics frequently explore real-world personal and societal issues through the lens of a comic-book dystopia, with a particular affection for the DC Universe. Dan Garrison on vocals and Dan Stenning on drums and vocals are the band’s two original members, with Morgan Farrell joining on lead guitar and Dave Derksen on bass in 2024.

Split Decision is a four-track release, with each band contributing two songs. Two companion videos are also planned to accompany the release.

The opening track comes courtesy of FIRE SALE with the intensely personal Kill The Noise. The song tackles the daily struggles associated with mental health and the challenge of overcoming them. A gnarly guitar riff opens the track and continues to echo throughout, even once the drums and vocals enter. The lyrics feel like an almost desperate cry for help, yet they are never drowned out by the instrumentation, which makes the vulnerability of the song particularly effective. A brief guitar solo provides another standout moment, with Swinney’s guitar cutting through the track before the vocal harmonies gradually drift towards the conclusion, ultimately giving the impression that the noise has finally been silenced. It is a powerful and emotionally effective opening track.

FIRE SALE’s second contribution, Dies Irae, moves firmly into the 1990s skate punk territory that the band executes so well. It is the kind of song that would not feel out of place on the soundtrack to the Tony Hawk Pro Skater franchise. The track is built around an explosive and erratically brilliant bassline from Matt Riddle, while the guitars and drums provide the frantic energy that defines FIRE SALE’s sound. It is an unapologetically in-your-face track that tackles the current social and political climate. The song refuses to ignore the issues around it, and nor should it. Explosive, fast and packed with attitude, Dies Irae captures much of what makes skate punk such an enduring genre.

THE CORPS step up to the amps for Imposter Syndrome, opening their side of the split without dropping the tempo FIRE SALE established. Face-melting guitar riffs rip open the track before cascading arpeggios combine with rapid-fire drums. The bass drum then drops into an almost a cappella-style break before the vocals kick in. There is a gritty quality to the production and performance that works particularly well, while the track carries echoes of the early days of THE OFFSPRING. It is the fastest song on the split, yet it never becomes messy or loses control. That frantic energy perfectly complements the subject matter, with the lyrics exploring anxiety, overthinking and the feeling of the mind rapidly becoming overloaded. The track comes full circle by ending in a similar fashion to how it began, bringing the addictive guitar work back to the forefront. It makes for a frantic but controlled introduction to THE CORPS’ contribution.

The final track, Another World, switches things up with a more mid-tempo approach, and this is where THE CORPS’ individuality really flourishes. Drawing on the band’s affection for comics and superheroes, the song manages to explore the pain of missing someone and longing for somebody who remains unreachable. That combination of comic-book imagery and genuine emotional vulnerability is an impressive trait. The melody is addictive, while the guitar work and lyrical flow create an atmosphere that feels considerably more reflective than the preceding track. Combined with the meaning behind the lyrics, it is a song that should resonate with a lot of listeners.

It is also worth complimenting the creative album artwork. Split Decision uses the style of an old-school boxing promotion cartoon, with both boxers lying flat on the canvas. It is a simple but effective visual representation of the concept, suggesting that both bands entered the project as competitors but leave it as equals, embracing whatever the record and its reviews bring. What is perhaps most interesting about Split Decision is that it does not always feel like a battle between two bands. In places, it barely feels like two separate bands have produced the record at all. FIRE SALE and THE CORPS have clearly gelled creatively, producing a release that feels remarkably cohesive while still allowing both bands to retain their individual identities.

The balance is particularly effective. Both bring their own tempo, guitar style and lyrical themes, but there is enough common ground to make the four tracks feel connected rather than simply placed alongside one another. The result is a split that could potentially open the door to further collaboration, whether creatively or on stage. Heartfelt lyrics, 1990s-inspired rhythms, infectious guitar work and the occasional solo seemingly designed for air guitars and mosh pits - there is plenty to enjoy here.

For a release built around two bands effectively stepping into the ring against one another, Split Decision ultimately proves that the biggest winner does not have to be either FIRE SALE or THE CORPS. It can be the record itself.

Score: 8/10

Split Decision will be released on 4th September 2026 via Negative Progression Records.

Words: David Waites

Photos: Fire Sale & The Corps