EP Review: Rascals of the First Order – Caged Authority
Bangalore-based rock band Rascals of the First Order make a bold entrance into India’s independent music scene with their debut concept EP, Caged Authority. Blending gritty sonic textures with offbeat storytelling, the band creates a world that’s just as wild, chaotic, and charged as their live performances. This five-track project is more than an introduction—it’s a manifesto for the misfits and rebellious, and anyone who has ever felt trapped by systems larger than themselves.
Formed during their college years, the Rascals took over a year to discover their sound and what emerged was a confident rock unit unafraid to push boundaries. After making waves at college festivals and reaching the South Regional finals of the Parx Band Hunt 2022, the band has finally captured their unruly spirit in a studio format. Recorded between Chennai and Bangalore and self-produced, Caged Authority channels their signature energy while introducing a rich fictional universe—a dark, surrealist mythos that pulses through each track.
The EP introduces listeners to a dystopian cast of characters: a
Burmese Python, a Bad Beaver, and an ex-army general, all of whom band together to escape confinement and seek revenge. These metaphors weave a tale of psychological warfare, rebellion, and displacement—rooted in real-world themes like societal control, abandonment, and personal evolution.
The EP opens with “Hardwired,” a slow-building rocker that sets the emotional tone of the record. The song begins with dissonance and tension, creating a sense of unease before crashing into a bold, riff-heavy climax. With gritty vocals and driving guitars, “Hardwired” feels like the internal scream of someone cornered for too long. It doesn’t just explode; it unfurls, forcing you to sit through the storm before offering catharsis.
“Python” follows, acting as the EP’s venomous, rage-filled heart. Aggressive riffs, snarling vocals, and pounding drums characterize the track, evoking both fury and despair. Lyrically, it captures the journey of the titular creature, torn from its family in a war zone and ready to bite back. A surprising shift to a mellow guitar solo midway through offers a moment of introspection, allowing the track to breathe before launching back into its gritty finale. This balance of fury and finesse gives “Python” its edge—and showcases the band’s growing range.
Then comes “Bad Beaver,” perhaps the most distinct-sounding track on the EP. It carries a quirky unpredictability. Its vocals lean away from the grunge influences of earlier tracks, instead embracing a different tone that mirrors the character it’s named after. As the story unfolds—of a beaver seeking company in a pub only to be ambushed—it all culminates in a blistering instrumental ending. The abruptness leaves you wanting more, a deliberate cliffhanger that suits the beaver’s mysterious fate.
“Feels Like Shit” is where the Rascals really flex their musical dynamism. It kicks off with an unexpected tempo switch and funky vocals. But just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the song pivots. A melodic bridge replaces the funk with introspective calm.This transition is smooth and effective, and when the melody flows back into heavier rhythms, it carries a maturity rarely found in debut efforts.
Closing the EP is “One Last Blow,” the band’s iconic debut single and its most anthemic moment. The melodic structure underscores the meaning of the song, reinforcing its message without losing musicality. A powerful funk-rock groove closes the song, tying the EP’s themes together. It’s the kind of track that demands a live stage and a screaming crowd.
What stands out across Caged Authority is the drum work—an unsung hero on this record. In nearly every track, the drums act as scene-setters, guiding the listener through the unfolding stories.
As far as debuts go, Caged Authority is loud, defiant, and deeply imaginative. It announces Rascals of the First Order not just as a band to watch, but as one that’s already carving out their own lane. With raw power, rebellious themes, and a clear sense of vision, this is more than a promising start—it’s the rise of something big.
