Considering Botch’s esteemed place in the hardcore canon, it’s surprising that frontman Dave Verellen’s subsequent project, Narrows, hasn’t received more attention. They have a self-titled EP and one full length under their belts, and most recently recorded two smashing new songs with sludge-savvy producer Chris Common, who was kind enough to give me a copy this morning. Verellen’s signature full-throttle, pitch-perfect growl is up front as always, but the guitar work of Ryan Frederickson (of the recently disbanded These Arms Are Snakes) is particularly inspired, curving tightly around Verellen’s vocals with a surprising degree of elegance. Those new tracks will take up one side of a forthcoming split 7-inch (out soon on Deathwish Records) with another under-appreciated act, Heiress, who are also in fighting shape, thanks to the recent addition of fleet-fingered guitarist Josh Freer. Both bands play next Friday at El Corazon with the Constant Lovers.