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| If Hope DiesThe Ground Is Rushing Up To Meet Us2003 Ironclad 
 Review by: FortyMinutesWest See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
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 Published on December 30th 2003 What can I say about metalcore/metal tinged hardcore/breakdown oriented metal/whatever you want to call it that hasn’t already been said? Much the glut of skatepunk bands that appeared in the mid-nineties metalcore gives us some great bands, some above average bands, and plenty of throwaway sound-a-likes who will be forgotten when the dust finally settles. I’m beginning to think that I’ve heard almost anything this genre is going to throw at me, barring some random alpine horn breakdown. If Hope Dies isn’t reinventing the wheel, but they show some flashes of brilliance and can write an engaging metalcore song. “The Ground Is Rushing Up To Meet Us” is the band’s Ironclad Recordings debut. If you’re not aware, Ironclad is run by Trevor Phipps of Unearth, and I can certainly hear a slight resemblance to Unearth here and there. The first thing that really caught my attention about these guys was the fact the second track is called “Roddy Piper’s Magic Sunglasses”. The thought of Roddy doing his best windmill during one of this band’s earth shattering breakdowns was enough to make me chuckle. However, despite their light heartedness in terms of some their song titles, If Hope Dies tackles serious social issues in their lyrics. The aforementioned track is actually about the way we allow ourselves to be sedated by slick marketing schemes. The music matches the seriousness of the lyrical content, melodic, but at the same time fast, urgent, and of course, heavy. This record is littered with impressive moments and flashes of what the band can do, such as the frantic stop and go action near the end of the fifth track, “A Prayer to Afflict the Comfortable”.
Thought provoking, undeniably heavy, and yet melodic enough to say stuck in your head for weeks, If Hope Dies has already carved a nice little niche in the metalcore genre for themselves, but I think this record hints at something more. It may only be a matter of time before this relatively unknown band towers over many of their contemporaries. Anyone who is fan of Unearth and other mosh oriented metalcore should take notice; you’re going to like this one.
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amazing album...everyone should check it out. good band. people should quick out this cd What Happens Next? kinda isn't so great.....But I was never too into Ill Repute, or really any Nardcore. But I was curious. I bought their cd(when I still bought cd's) on suggestion from one of the guys in Flogging Molly(who's cd I also hardly listened to....go figure), and I think I listened to it once......actually, I liked one song okay, and put it at the end of a mix tape to annoy my girlfriend. Hahaha. Good lyric, even if butchered. There are still modern bands doing good things with hardcore, such as What Happens Next or even more well known bands like Give Up The Ghost and Bane. I don't know if metalcore even falls under the hardcore umbrella anymore, but I like some of the bands. "BSD, this band is not Hatebreedish jockcore, nor is it, From Autumn To Ashes styled whinecore. Yes, Im just ending random words with core. Don't let the name fool you, they're influenced by straight up metal and thrash, not faux-emo. You still wouldn't like them, but if you're going to bash a band, at least do it factually." They Live fucking rules. BSD, this band is not Hatebreedish jockcore, nor is it, From Autumn To Ashes styled whinecore. Yes, Im just ending random words with core. Don't let the name fool you, they're influenced by straight up metal and thrash, not faux-emo. You still wouldn't like them, but if you're going to bash a band, at least do it factually. ALERT: "freefall without a parachute" I know you're being sarcastic and all, but I like As Hope Dies better. They're also straight up metal, no core to be spoken of. Oh, and hardcore dancing is lame, but I'd rather people do that than act like they're too cool to be having fun. Holy shit i wonder who's better, if hope dies or as hope dies. Metalcore is clearly the best genre ever. Now excuse me, i need to do my hair and practice my spin kicks before my mom takes me to see norma jean or some shit. This score is for the spelling of the guy who made the first comment. This score's for the "They Live!" reference the band so aptly made in their song title. worst band name and title .. goddam people like this make me so fucking angry these guys rule. honestly. they're from auburn, ny and they fucking own the syracuse scene. This stuff is getting really old, but its good to see a few bands who can actually play it. And its bad to see the good bands that can play its get thrown in the barrel with everyone else that sucks in the genre. If that makes sense. WORST.REVIEW.EVAR. |
