This is some heavy hardcore in the NYHC style from Australia, so expect gruff vocals, basic chunky chord progressions, a little bit of a traditional old school drive as far as tempo and rhythm structure, a few dashes of melody, just a touch of metal, etc. It's a pretty good blend of the 90's style and a more modern flare, and I really like the way the vocals tradeoff between gang vocals and subtly varied shouts/yells, as that adds a sense of energy to the songwriting. "Falling" is a little bit more melodic with some octave chords and such, but by contrast "The Cost and Counting" combines that sort of style with a much chunkier sound and has a groovy sort of thread that I actually like - it definitely stands out. The vocals definitely help give this a bit of an unusual character as well, they're really textured and have that great sort of understated bitterness happening... I don't know, I like 'em. On a couple of occasions the chord progressions almost get a faster sort of upbeat crossover thing involved, but you'd almost have to be listening for it to pick it out. "Almost Sunset" is another of the more melodic tracks, also slower at the start, definitely making the melodic influences more focal, and reminding me of Turning Point once it speeds up... a fuckin' great song there. As far as the sound goes, it needs some work, but it's basically fine. The vocals are a little up front, but the drums sound good, the guitars are well controlled, and things come off as clear. The bass plays enough of a role to punch things up as well, so aide from tightening a few minor gaps in the mix and reigning in the vocals against the guitars I wouldn't mess with a great deal. It sounds good for a "small band" on a relatively unknown label, for sure. The layout's not bad, definitely having somewhat of a 90's styled look to it. I definitely like the cover, and the live band photos and flyers strewn amongst the lyrics are decent as well. The photo of the band and friends smiling and doing gang vocals in the studio is a little goofy and contrasts the "harder" aesthetics of the other imagery, but that's life. Lyrically things take a much more positive stance than expected, with lots of calls for making sure not to take life for granted, etc. "Embrace all that lies ahead, take the good with the bad, there's nothing to be gained by looking back. Places never seen, people never met, broaden your horizons, don't become a sheltered mess. Life and change go together, so wake up, stand up, let go. Now!" Not bad. I've heard better, but having not known what to expect from this I think it's pretty good in the end. They've got a lot of room to grow, so we'll see what the future brings. I don't get to hear many hardcore bands from Australia so it's cool to hear something new from that region of the world, too.
[Go-Team]
Running time - 19:40, Tracks: 11
[Notable tracks: Falling, The Cost and Counting, Almost Sunset]
Go-Team Records - http://www.go-teamrecords.com
