First Blood "s/t" CD
[Division 36]
I flipped out when I downloaded these tracks from the band's website quite a long time ago, so I'm so fucking glad to see this proper release. Straight up I've gotta say that this is hands down one of the hardest bands ever to drop from the west coast. Featuring members of Terror and former members of Sworn Vengeance this shit is all mosh and no bullshit... and I even like this better than those bands! I'm talking heavy as fuck metallic hardcore chock full of chugging rhythms and gruff vocal shouts, with a few faster chord progressions that are a little more straightforward. It sounds more like some brutal New Jersey action than anything from California. There's a little discordance happening towards the end of "Drown" and during the intro to "Victim", but there's definitely no real sense of melody whatsoever. "Unbroken" is fucking breakdown central with crushing midpaced rhythms all over the damn place, and that's definitely more indicative of the bloodbath going on throughout this CD. Partway through "Foundation" some really metallic runs kick in that hint at melody, but not by much. Fucking awesome. The recording is fucking great. The guitars are heavy as hell, the vocals are totally vicious, the drums sound thick and resonant, and you can make out some bass thickening up the heart of the mix. I don't think I'd change a damn thing, other than just maybe dropping the vocals back in with the instruments a tad. The visual presentation's not quite up to speed with what I'd expect from a Bridge Nine related EP, it's not bad, but there is a little pixilation on some of the text and designs that looks rougher than it should and can take away from the appeal of the design. The lyrics are pretty self-explanatory, "The polluted face of life hiding in black clouds unknowingly killing you, killing me. His filthy hands are wrapped around our trusting throats but the last thing that we need is another liar breathing the fire... Suffocate... of death down below..." Oh, and yes, you're god damn right the band name came from the movie, because there are a few samples of Rambo and Trautman included... and it doesn't get much better than shit for my money. This is the best $5 bucks I've spent in a long fucking time. Pick this shit up. These dudes need to churn out a full-length right now... no kidding. (9/10)
Running time - 16:53, Tracks: 5
[Notable tracks: all five are fucking great]
Division 36 Records - http://www.division36records.com

This review has been displayed 2736 times.