A cracking drum machine provides the aggressive backbone of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, post-punkers Rhythm of Cruelty. That relentless beat is what propels these nervy tunes, accompanied by the reverb-engulfed vocals of bassist Brandi Strauss and the sharp guitar attack of Ian Rowley. Things are decidedly moody for Rhythm of Cruelty, but their self-assigned goth label is a little misleading. Sorrow isn't on the table for this band; rather, anger and twitchy outbursts are more their style. When things get really cooking, like on "Hollow Eyes," Rhythm of Cruelty can sound like the house band for a gloomy Grand Theft Auto-esque racer. Instead of dreary blacks and blues, Rhythm of Cruelty sound like bleary, garish, fluorescent lights, flickering on and off with the thrum of that drum machine.

RHYTHM OF CRUELTY, w/ Criminal Code, 9:30 p.m., Half Pint Pizza Pub, 2710 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, no cover, 253.272.2531