Erie, PA is a breeding ground for awesome hardcore bands, one of them being Shockwave. This 4 song tape (Devastator, Kickback, Bombshell, Warpath) comes to us from SA MOB records and it kicks. Those of you into hardcore will love this band. The music is tight and heavy, bordering on metal-core, with the vocals a straight, hardcore delivery though there are some background vocals that are very metal. At first the mix sounds muddy or overbearing in the vocal department but it's a short-lived thought once it all kicks in and gets going. I hear some musical influence from Snapcase, and the like so in all it's a well rounded hardcore tape.
On to the lyrics.... and they lack nothing. Devastator is about overcoming sin and declaring war upon it as in these lines;
I'm sick to death and I'm not going to sit and suffer anymore, I'm getting armed to the teeth and I'm declaring war.
Later in this song there are some GREAT lyrics about not wanting your past anymore,
now I'm never going back to being afraid, and I'm never going back to being alone, I'll not bow to your destructive ways so unto you I fight.
These are strong words that some bands nowadays lack.
Kickback has got to be my favorite song on the tape musically and lyrically. These are such strong lyrics that I'm going to print em all.
knock me down with eyes full of hate and minds red with violence enemy a face of envy and fear of the shackles I've broken with sacrificed blood I bite the dust and I have no fear but you turn me away with your bleeding deaf ear but I'm coming back and I rise again another cheek is offered now what can you do?
The chorus kicks bootay!!!
knock me down i'll come right back your lies infect me subject me to inferno you can silence the body but not the words eternal
Short but sweet they get the point across.
Bombshell deals with giving up control to God and not having things to hide. Being true to God and yourself is the point here. And Warpath deals once again in standing strong and firm.
If you guys (and gals) dig on hardcore this is a must!!!
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #73Reviewed by Doug Van PeltHere's a band that lives up to its name. This 4-song 7" vinyl sounds heavy and intense with hardcore power riffing and screaming vocals high up in the mix. Another great example of the high quality present in the Erie, Pennsylvania hardcore scene.Similar sounding releases
2001xDisciplexDoxology
1999Dodgin BulletsSoundtrack to the End of the World
2004Age Of RuinThe Tides of Tragedy
1996Zao / Through and ThroughTreadwater...
1998ExistDecrepit Lessons Crossing Imperfections
2003A Jealousy IssueIf The Flames Don't Kill Us, We Will
