There are 2 kinds of hardcore kids in this world. The first kid (we'll call him kid A) doesn't really care what is said or how well the band delivers, they're looking for the first chance at a breakdown to practice change picks and ninja kicks (see Bradley Hathaway's "the hardcore poem"). The second, "kid B" takes a moment to consider the validity of the efforts of a band to maintain the intensity, passion and message of hardcore, while delivering something fresh, new, and dynamic, delivering a sound that more than just kid A can enjoy.
Meant as no insult, this is a disc for kid A, and I think kid A would love this stuff.
Ok, so first, the good stuff. This is fast. The vocals are quality for hardcore. The lyrics are a bit predictable and don't really rhyme, but at times grasp some important spiritual concepts. "A Martyr's Cry" talks about Christians seeking convenience and safety instead of accepting sacrifice and danger. "No One is Listening" is about hearing people out and genuinely caring instead of breathing down people's throats with whatever it is you have to say. This song also has the proverbial cry for unity in the scene. "The Truth Made Known" refers to wanting more than beliefs or religion. The album concludes on the hopeful "This Transparency" which is pretty much a song of worship to God. Lyrically, this has all been done before, but I like their boldness. At first I thought their name was dumb just like a name about beating each other up in the pit, but I think it's more about the internal struggle to make consistent the person who we are in public, in belief, and in private.
Musically, these guys remind me of Few Left Standing, it's fast, dark, Spirit Filled Hardcore. The song Falling Away was probably my favorite, it seemed to have a little more going in terms of melody in the guitar lines and featured some decent dual vocals. The drumming on this album overall sounds really good, and the vocals are what you'd expect for hardcore.
Now the downers. I hate how the guitars sound. They have like no high frequency anything. You could listen to this whole CD over a telephone and you wouldn't really lose much. It's all pretty deep sounding, and I prefer to hear the characteristic and clarity that comes from keeping the high frequency stuff intact. Second, there isn't any dynamic to this whatsoever. This is pretty much like a roller coaster that starts up really high and just drops the whole time without ever giving you a break to enjoy the next drop. I like songs that have quieter or slower parts that build up so you appreciate the intense parts even more. This just cuts to the chase like the whole time and there is no reward, you heard it in the first 3 minutes. So dynamic sound with more character and dynamic song structure with more creativity.
Overall, this is a decent hardcore cd, but doesn't offer anything to anybody else.
Hardcore kids - 3/4
Everyone else - 1/4
Similar sounding releases
2004TakaruThere Can Be Only None
2001Beauty to AshesIn the Silence We Fight
2004JosiahVerona
2003Grade 8Grade 8
2005NineKilling Angels
2002AtreyuSuicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses
