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| With HonorWith Honor2003 Stillborn 
  Review by: blackink See others by this writer With Honor (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on October 7th 2003 As vocalist Todd Mackey raises the challenge, "Stand up and be something more!", an emotion I haven't felt in a long time wells up inside. It's raw motivation, idealistic at its core, and it takes me back to a time when hardcore was something more than angry rants about broken edges and back-stabbing friends. On paper it sounds nothing short of naive - the kind of idealism you have before you realize that the scene is full of dickheads - but the conscious power of With Honor shines through with amazing sincerity. The lyrics press upon you a consideration for your actions, and cause you to remember just why you bothered to get involved with the hardcore scene in the first place. The band seems to ask, if it's not the atmosphere of a show, the helping hand in the pit or the raw connection of two like-minded individuals superceeding false divisions like belief, race and nation, then what is it? Are the walls we build, not just within the hardcore scene, but with society at large, worth it? And if not, then just what the fuck are we doing to ourselves? Where most scream/sung vocals are dichotomized into distinct passages (ie. the nu-metallish underpinnings of the latest Poison The Well record), Mackey manages to sing, shout and scream in a unified front. This talent or simple voice characteristic is sincere to the bone, and makes the lyrics even more poignant to the listener. There is certainly no choreographed emotion on this release, and I challenge anyone to marginalize just one song with a straight face. Musically, I could almost mistake With Honor for a punk band. It's not until the first breakdown and subsequent gang vocals hit that you realize this is 100%, straight-up hardcore. Offering a mix-platter of straight-ahead melody and a tinge of mosh-metal, the blistering speed characterizing most of the EP's 11 minutes showcases not only some amazing drumming, but an element of chaos always on the verge of demolishing the tightness of With Honor's music. If the band can capture just a fraction of the intensity on this recording, they must put on one hell of a show. For better or for worse, everyone has an opinion on what direction the hardcore scene has been taking of late. In my mind, With Honor is just another reminder, confirmation - nay, promise - of the good times we can have. The next show, roadtrip or new friend from another city... fuck man, "these are our times - let's make them fucking last".
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sworn enemy is from queens, you fucking faggot. WOW rofl, you guys saying no good hardcore in connecticut, your a fucing disgrace... welcome to sworn enemy and 100 demons pussies Saw them live in Charlotte NC with stretch, norma jean and beloved...and I have to say with honor put out more energy than the other 3 bands combined. That EP was my favorite release of '03 and the new record "heart means everything" is out and its just as good. These guys remind me why I started listening to hardcore in the first place...fuck the whole metalcore thing...it all sounds the same anymore. All you kids need to go back to old school...fuck most of that whiny emo, screamo whatever the fuck...zip up that hoodie pop in some side by side and fuck shit up. this EP is amazing. "have some fucking pride in your homestate man. there are some great bands here." sk8rpunx4ever is the coolest screename have some fucking pride in your homestate man. there are some great bands here. "where are you from? what bands from ct do you even know of?" Hmm good review, I'll check em out. This is really really good. "it's funny because they're from connecticut and actually good." Good review, hardcore without metal is definitely my thing so I'm probably gonna pick this puppy up. Great review: I'm going to check this band out. They put on an amazing live show. Probobly the most energy I've ever seen. I like this, buy it because I say so. so bands from connecticut automatically suck? i tried to buy their ep on ebay a lil while ago.....i got outbidded. I will buy this one tho I would probably not like this CD, but the review makes me at least want to listen to it. Good job, yo. "To Believe" is one of the top ten songs of the year. it's funny because they're from connecticut and actually good. another killer band with an oldschool feel that is way better than most metalcore anyday. and yes,they do put on a great show. good review superceeding, dichotomized.. |
