For Those Who Were Crucified

This is the kind of thing that bothers me more than anything. Annoying nu-core/thrash crossovers that go absolutely NOWHERE. Sure, it's pissed off and it says what it has to say in a neo-poetic fashion but the point is lost. I'll give the band cookies for practicing a lot, playing tightly and not having a terrible production. Good for you guys - I can't find any flaws in your musicianship.

Sadly, the material is just the same old metalcore crap that's been shoveled into my player too many times by people who don't understand that the typical screaming vocals that claim to be passionate, boring guitar runs that careen through aimless breakdowns and pick-ups, and middle-class political views do nothing to turn me on. The Cro-Mags this is NOT. These songs have little personality, little individuality and they hype is only that...hype. 1,000 bands are already signed doing this EXACT SAME SOUND. It would be nice if they tried to do something to set themselves apart aside from sporting some nifty artwork...but they haven't done more than that so I won't waste time on speculate.

This was a waste of my time as I can turn on headbangers ball and catch new bands like this with ever show. I think the point is lost on these kids that passion and talent must be backed up by INSPIRATION.

It's time for these boys to go out into the world and find something they really care about instead of using neo-poetic references to cliched situations that are polluting nearly EVERY band. It's great to try to sound like you care...but you actually HAVE to care to make it work.

Whatever.

All Out War is metalcore. Plain and simple. If you don't like metalcore, you shouldn't be reading this. For those who are interested in metalcore, I think this CD is a great introduction.

Musically, they have more in common with metal than a lot of metalcore (a la Hatebreed, Bane), and it is apparent on this album. Metal riffs are found throughout the entire album, almost sounding thrashy. Of course, you get the metalcore breakdowns and slow, sludgy riffs as well, but the metal riffs far outweigh the hardcore ones.

The drums seem to take influence from many genres, quick snare drum rhythms show high metal influence, while other songs have slow, hardcore snare drumming. One thing is for sure, though. The high use of tom-tom drums is taken directly from punk/hardcore.

The vocals, well, the vocals are straight out metalcore. Pretty much a scream fest, in the "tough guy" way. If you have listened to any metalcore act before, you know what I mean. It sounds like he is screaming at SOMEONE, instead of screaming into a microphone. Metalcore vocals are a dime a dozen, so don't expect anything revolutionary (or exceptional) here.

The lyrics are something else, though. While a lot of metalcore bands focus on brotherhood, emotions, loss, and all that hippy shit, All Out War focuses on how society has doomed itself. Mike Score (the vocalist) almost seems to be playing the judge of humanity. The lyrics definitely put this above more metalcore, though. Lyrics about worldwide destruction are far better than the normal "I'm tough, but I am sad because I lost my best friend" lyrics that a lot of metalcore bands seem to have these days. Or better yet, the "brotherhood forever, destroy the weak!" lyrics of some bands, which seem to miss the point of their forefather's message.

How can you not like lyrics that state; "I claim no allegiance to the lies of humanity. I won't be a victim of your pitiful destiny, lost in the search for salvation and a false sense of worth."

The end track, Apocalyptic Terror, seems to be a bunch of cover tunes. If anyone knows what they are, please PM me.


In the end, this CD stomps the living shit out of 90% of metalcore out there. Get this or shut the fuck up about how shitty metalcore is. This is the way metalcore should be. Heavy, brutal, honest, purposeful.