"WAR IS HELL"
(Century Media - CD 99049-2)

LP REVIEW

01. SLINGS AND ARROWS (2:13)
02. THE CURE (3:00)
03. RED, BLACK AND BLUE (2:15)
04. SET THE STAGE (2:17)
05. RIPPED TO BONE (2:55)
06. TIGHT ROPE (1:58)
07. TRANSISTOR (3:04)
08. WAR IS HELL (2:35)
09. SAFETY: OFF (0:53)
10. SCENE CELEBRITY (2:25)
11. LIGHTNING STRIKES (2:45)
12. MORE THAN METAPHOR (3:29)

Length:  29:55 (min:secs)
Released: 24th January, 2005
on CENTURY MEDIA

www.thewarriorz.com
xwarcorex@yahoo.com

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From Tehachapi, California, this is a five-piece outfit that takes its influences from such fine bands as Inside Out, Refused, Cro-Mags and Sick Of It All.  Their pitch is essentially a hard metalcore sound - a cool mix of hardcore and metal - but with a fresh and angry influx of old-school hardcore that moulds a great deal of character and attitude.

All twelve songs are short and to the point, in true hardcore style. Tough slabs of screaming metal sharpened to a dangerous tip and loaded with poisoned prose.  Laden with breakdowns that are just simply irresistible and which grab you by the balls tighter with every listen - this’ll be eye-watering stuff in the pit!

On an album that is full of great tunes it’s hard to pick out just highlights. However, let’s try, beginning with SLINGS AND ARROWS, which injects a screaming slam in the face and sets the mood with teeth kicking attitude. THE CURE continues in the same vein, with a heads down beginning, then its foot off the gas chugging. SET THE STAGE pierces your senses with crushing hardcore dynamics that are only enhanced by the unexpected melody that spills in to the chorus. RIPPED TO BONE contains some top chugging metal riffs that are brilliantly tempered by a down to earth posture. TIGHT ROPE kicks off like a One Minute Silence and Rage Against The Machine hybrid, then goes all downtuned and dark, which just goes and frightens all the children. TRANSISTOR is an awesome pit song that is full of enough squealing guitar licks and breakdowns to please any of the psycho-mosh high-kick brigade. Then there’s WAR IS HELL, SAFETY OFF, SCENE CELEBRITY and LIGHTNING STRIKES which really should also be described but there just ain’t space.

Marshall Lichtenwaldt has an acquired vocal style - it won’t appeal to everyone - as it’s quite high and scathing in a Zack de la Rocha - Rage Against The Machine - sort of way, but they are used effectively, they’re incredibly clear allowing the belligerent lyrics to shine through and are as pissed off as you like!  This is a hugely entertaining album; it has a certain amount of immediate appeal that goes on to allure and grab you further with every additional listen.  It gets top marks and is well recommended.

12345678910 - Rigsby  (5th March, 2005)
www.iwillbeheard.co.uk

Line-up:  Vocals: MARSHALL L - Guitar: DANNY P - Guitar: JAVIER Z - Bass: MIKE P - Drums: DONNY P