These 5 guys from South Carolina released
their first album on Solid State Records last year. I had never heard of them
before, but they had already released some 7" records and a full-length
called “Compassion Fills The Void” on Rise Records. During the past 5 years
the line-up of the band has changed a lot, and I heard, that after the release
of this album, the band members have changed again. I know the new album for
about half a year now, and I must say it's one of the coolest hardcore-albums
released on Solid State in 1999. Although I like the metal-core from bands like
ZAO, Living Sacrifice and Spitfire, it was refreshing for me to hear this band.
They use influences from both (street-) punk and (old school-) hard core and the
result is something that I'd call “New School Hardcore”. The singer, Chriss
McLane reminds me of Sick Of It All sometimes, and that's not the only
comparison between these bands. I even hear some early Biohazard-influences in
their sound.
But let's stop comparing this band to other
HC-bands... What I wanted to say in this review is that this band is THE
alternative for bands who are now popular in the Hardcore-scene, and I think
they have something in stock for every Hard Music-fan (except metal-freaks
maybe) who's looking for a cool new hardcore-band. The variety in the singing is
probably one of the most attracting elements of this album. Chris screams on the
album and the rest of the band do a great job on the backing-vocals. From the
first track until the amazing hidden track ("Pulley"?) this album is
fascinating.
The message of the band is positive yet not
explicitly Christian, and could best be described by the Quote featured on the
back of the cd-booklet. It's one of the coolest sentences I ever read, so check
it out:
“Most people are like a falling leaf that
drifts and turns in the air, flutters, and falls to the ground. But a few others
are like stars which travel one defined path: no wind reaches them, they have
within themselves their guide and path”
-
Siddharta by Hermann Hesse
I can't wait to check out this band on their European tour this spring/early summer. For those of you who are looking for a new hardcore-band in the vein of Hatebreed, Sick Of It All and H20, here is STRETCH ARM STRONG
Karel
Smouter
for