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Champion

Promises Kept (2004)
Bridge Nine Records

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Contributed by: FortyMinutesWest
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Published on November 9th 2004

Some bands just have it. You know, zip, zork, kapowza. Champion is most certainly one of those bands. After releasing a couple of really solid EPs, and making a name for themselves, this Washington hardcore band finally decided to grace us with an LP.

If you’ve heard this band’s past material, you have a good idea of what to expect from this release. Champion plays fast, melodic hardcore with positive lyrics. That’s where “it” comes in. There are quite a few bands playing hardcore these days, and even more playing updated versions of older sounds. Still, Champion has that spark. The album’s title track kicks things off, as it slowly builds to the boiling point, from that point on, this album will own you. The energy that flows through the speakers is infectious; this isn’t the kind of album you listen to while you’re studying. “Promises Kept” just refuses to be made into background music, it’s hard to sit still, and it’s even harder not to sing along. These songs are tailor-made for live shows it seems, but they also work well for one person sing-a-longs in the car.

The positive lyrics are simply stated, but that only make them all the more effective. The songs deal with the topics that you’d expect: friendship, moving on, you know, the usual. Still I can’t help but like lines like “We can always remember the past, but we only get one shot at today.” Some of this could sound overdone if it wasn’t delivered with such force and conviction, but luckily, Champion never goes over the top.

I hear lots of hardcore albums. I hear lots of albums in general, but I still have to appreciate the bands that do it this well. Champion has actually exceeded my expectations with this release, and I can’t imagine why anyone who enjoys melodic hardcore wouldn’t dig this album.

MP3:The Truth

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bosox6969 (December 24, 2008)

its one of my fav cds to listen to in the car

LookingBack (May 3, 2007)

I wonder what my favorite song on this album was...

JMafockink (September 22, 2006)

Possibly one of the best hardcore albums i've come across in a long time..

"Miles to go" in my opinion is the best track on this cd.

A must buy for any true hardcore fan.

Anonymous (May 21, 2006)

is one of the best album hc in this time

Anonymous (April 19, 2006)

why dont you guys cut some slack for a good band, they may not be COS but they are good at what they do

Sally_Field (April 21, 2005)

The "zork" thing made me lose it.

Anonymous (November 14, 2004)

A message to sxe kids:

"What exactly are you pointing at?"

-Ken

Anonymous (November 14, 2004)

They did a Chain Of Strength cover when I saw em the other week.

Fucking quality show, much better than the last time I saw them.

The frontman was born to be the frontman of a hardcore band. Even tho he's got a baby face.

Anonymous (November 12, 2004)

they do sound like COS.

but this review sucked. boo.

Anonymous (November 11, 2004)

i can't believe another year's gone by...

vocalyouth (November 11, 2004)

my favorite hardcore album of the year. this kind of stuff is my favorite in the world of hardcore, though.

I'd rather listen to this album 10 times in a row before I'd put in beatdown mosh bands like Terror or Hatebreed (not that I hate that stuff, i'd just rather listen to this)

Anonymous (November 11, 2004)

too deep... too deep for words until now....

Anonymous (November 11, 2004)

errr...........Atari were better

Anonymous (November 11, 2004)

champion are a really good band

Anonymous (November 10, 2004)

yes way!

janeandfinch (November 10, 2004)

like chain of strength? no way!

Anonymous (November 10, 2004)

Good stuff. Not ground-breaking, but solid.

-ObeyYourParents

Anonymous (November 10, 2004)

I've always been into this style more than the DADA-dada-DADA-dada- EERR BLEEH ERR BLEEH-crusty hardcore. This sounds like a really really really awesome ignite. DAMN I NEED THIS CD!

Anonymous (November 10, 2004)

Great band, Great album, Australian tour in December! hell yes!
Hey Chris from Perth, musically they're really similar to Miles Away but with more gang shouts and straight edge lyrics. ENJOY!

FortyMinutesWest (November 10, 2004)

Yeah, it's definitely in the vein of older stuff. As for newer bands, they have more in common with Count Me Out than the bands you mentioned.