Terror, Always the Hard Way
After releasing on incredible EP and an even more impressive debut full length with Trustkill records, how could this L.A. band seriously top themselves? Simple. Get more aggressive. Get more violent. Get asses moving in the pit.
Both Lowest of the Low and One With the Underdogs were some of the best purchases I’ve made in the past couple of years. Frontman Scott Vogel and crew provide straight forward, in your face hardcore with each and every track, never compromising anything in the process. There’s no melodic metal influences from Weber’s guitar work, and the bass and drum combo (Jonathon Buske and Nick Jett respectively) pummel you upside the head if you’re not paying attention to the message this band brings to the table. There’s rarely a moment on this album that’s wasted. The band uses every second with only that material that’s necessary to prove their point. There’s just no filler to be found here.
Following in the footsteps of Remembering Never‘s “Mean” Pete, Vogel allows us to peak into his mind a bit with the liner notes that he has provided for each track on the album (not including the rap interlude “Dibbs And Murs Check In”). It’s never an easy thing to extract the thought process behind a band’s lyrics or message. Vogel let’s us in on some of the thoughts behind his words.
All For Revenge
The band doesn’t waste any time getting down to business. With a little reverb and a few quick beats they start with fists flying. Vogel’s delivery is spot-on aggressive. The chorus is short, catchy and easy enough to remember when you’re shouting it back at the speaker — your wife staring blankly at you as you destroy your office with whirling arms and flying elbows. Or, is that just me.
Strike You Down
We’re through “All for Revenge” quicker than you can say, “Where are my teeth?” The second track is even more pissed off than the last. Delivering a message to bigots of any kind, the band uses some seriously crushing mosh to get their point across.
Survival Comes Crashing In
Man, we’re just flying through these songs. “Survival Comes Crashing In” has a catchy beat to it that’s sure to get the blood flowing. Addiction is a bitch. Here is Vogel’s story of battling his own vices. The band slows it down briefly with smooth riffs and pounding drums.
Always The Hard Way
The title track has a great riff to start if off. More straight forward hardcore delivering a message of inner strength and self worth. Get angry and destroy those obstacles that are keeping you down.
Lost
I love the groove of the riff that kicks this one into gear. Add it to the fast pace of the track and you have an instant classic. Driving beats and rolling riffs fill this track.
Last Of The Diehards
Vogel calls bullshit on a good number of reunion shows this past year or so. With the upward swing in the popularity of hardcore and aggressive music in general lately, many bands have been coming out of retirement to earn a quick buck on the new throng of kids in the underground music scene. This is Vogel’s homage to those that did it for the music, for there fans, and not for the money. The group vocals on the chorus add a punch hard to ignore.
So Close To Defeat
This one features Eddie Sutton of Leeway. His higher pitched delivery is an interesting contrast to Vogel’s deeper shouts. I’m not sure that I could deal with Sutton’s delivery for longer than what’s on his guest appearance here, but it’s a nice change of pace.
Test My Convictions
Pounding drums fade in from the distance right before the rest of the band unleashes hardcore punishment on your speakers. The lyrics behind this are in response to comments made online disparaging Vogel and the band. I suppose that with this review I am sort of throwing myself into that online community, but fuck it, here are my brief thoughts on the subject. Quite simply, who gives a damn what’s said online about anyone. If the coward isn’t man enough to say it to your face, then there shouldn’t even be a second thought about the troll. Moving on.
Hell To Pay
What goes around comes around. It’s quite that simple. Vogel has written some of his most thought provoking lyrics on this one. Don’t just listen to the riffs and beats, read the damn words.
One Step Behind
“One Step Behind” steps up the intensity another notch (if that’s even possible) bringing a much faster pace and pounding riffs. I love the aggression in this song’s presentation.
You Can’t Break Me
Featuring Death Threat‘s Aaron Kuckles, “You Can’t Break Me” has riff that reminds me of something, but I can’t put my finger on it. Regardless it’s a great piece of musicianship and a new piece of the puzzle for the band.
Dibbs And Murs Check In
Just as in the last album, I could have done without this interlude. It’s not bad, I just think it takes from the momentum of the previous 11 tracks. Put this stuff on a hidden track.
Hardship Belongs To Me
Holy KISS, Batman. I love the “God of Thunder” intro to this one. The gloomy riff doesn’t last long though. Vogel and crew kick it’s ass out the door and get down to business.
Smash Through You
The final track is a much slower than the rest of the album. It’s beefy riffs are a bit sludgier and darker. It’s a nice slow down for the end of a great album.
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You’ll be hard-pressed to find any flaws in anything that Zeuss produces. Always the Hard Way is just another prime example of taking the aggressive sound of a band like Terror and building it up to an unstoppable force. The band has outdone their previous work with little effort. If you want no frills, aggressive music sure to get you into some trouble, pick this one up.
Favorite Tracks:
Just about all of them.
Additional Notes:
n/a