You can't describe this as hardcore although that is about as close as you can get in one word. They like to call themselves "Christcore". Matt Leslie's vocals go from softly spoken, to almost hip-hop like, to screamed. Cliff Wright on bass provides killer low-end grooves, the "super funky phat beats". Then the guitars go from heavy grooves, to very unique, sometimes haunting riffs, like in the song "Darkness". All of these elements come together to make Travail a super infectious sound that will stick in your ears, and will be very hard to get out.
The lyrics on this CD absolutely RULE. For example, take the song "Darkness", which talks about the evil and destruction that will be taking place when the anti-christ is ruling the earth as described in Revelation.
His destruction will overwhelm you
like a hunter over the hunted. you've
got numbers on your head and numbers on
your hand. there's no escape for you
to the promised land. as I said before the
time is close at hand, your life is
washed away like sand.
Anchor of My Soul is a production of Poor Boy Records, a label run by Travail and the manager of Allied clothing (who sponsors Travail). The only disappointment for me here is there are only 8 songs, and one of my favorite Travail songs, "Beaten" (which they play live) is not on the CD.
I find this very hard to rate, because I have been continually coming out to shows and supporting this band, and now they have a cd out, so it really is a 10 for me. I have been awaiting this for a VERY long time, and it has turned out much better than I expected. I highly recommend this, because I feel that there is something here for everyone. Oh, and look for a Travail interview in ish 6 of Dead.
9.5/10
Other Staff Member Ratings
D_Lister: 9/10
Other coverage for this album
Dead Zine 2002Reviewed by FetusI know everyone is fed up with bands and music reviewers stating: "this band sounds like KORN" and, upon purchasing, you're stuck with some music that sounds like RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE or P.O.D. when we all know KORN (at least their first and only decent LP) is not as rap/hip-hop/bouncy as the rapcore genre produces. This has to be the only Christian band that I've heard that is even close to…HM Magazine #72Reviewed by Doug Van PeltYou like hardcore like I do? Get this CD. With a cool name like Travail, you've already got a big clue that they're not cheese. (I mean, how many cool bands have cheesy names? Now, how many cheesy bands have cool names? See what I mean?) Hard, nail-biting guitars slam away cool groove riffs, while the rhythm section keeps it tight and fast. Vocals? Sounds like Matt means what he says when he…
