Comeback Kid - Wake The Dead
First off, this follow up to their debut "Turn It Around" is impressive. They deliver all the promise of their debut effort here in spades, making this one of the best melodic hardcore records in recent memory. I was a little worried they might hit the dreaded sophomore slump but one listen crushed those fears like skulls beneath tank tread. It's got heavier breakdowns, catchier melodies and tighter songwriting which is all the more impressive given the high bar they set on "Turn It Around".
Like their last record, purists can certainly argue that the rampant use of metallic breakdowns or powerful melodies aren't really "hardcore" per se but I view Comeback Kid as a more metal version of Good Riddance, who were equally expert at delivering solid balls out hardcore and catchy melodic songs on the same record. Still, I can see some people not appreciating this as it does toe the line between these two styles so you really have to like both to really dig this record.
So if you've never mixed a bit of metal or melody with your hardcore (is that your chocolate in my peanut butter?) this is probably the best place to start. The breakdowns are as tasty as they come and the melodies are BIG.
My only complaint, no surprise here given it's a hardcore record, is the album length. This one clocks in at barely 25 minutes. Given the short songs these guys write, they should look to putting at least 15 songs on a record so you feel like you're getting more for your money. Still, I can think of a lot worse ways to blow your hard earned loot.
Like their last record, purists can certainly argue that the rampant use of metallic breakdowns or powerful melodies aren't really "hardcore" per se but I view Comeback Kid as a more metal version of Good Riddance, who were equally expert at delivering solid balls out hardcore and catchy melodic songs on the same record. Still, I can see some people not appreciating this as it does toe the line between these two styles so you really have to like both to really dig this record.
So if you've never mixed a bit of metal or melody with your hardcore (is that your chocolate in my peanut butter?) this is probably the best place to start. The breakdowns are as tasty as they come and the melodies are BIG.
My only complaint, no surprise here given it's a hardcore record, is the album length. This one clocks in at barely 25 minutes. Given the short songs these guys write, they should look to putting at least 15 songs on a record so you feel like you're getting more for your money. Still, I can think of a lot worse ways to blow your hard earned loot.
