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With Honor

This is Our Revenge
2005
Victory

With Honor - This is Our Revenge (Cover Artwork)

Review by: primeevil7
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www dot with honor dot com (link)

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Published on October 18th 2005

To get the obvious out of the way: If you like With Honor, this is worth your money. This is all you have to read; if you already know the band, go out and buy This is Our Revenge. It follows their split with the Distance, stylistically.

If you don't know With Honor, then let's talk turkey, shall we? Although Brian McTernan's botch job on Bane worried me about the production of This is Our Revenge, all the instruments sound just fine and Todd's voice is a sibilant call to arms. Phew. But what about the songs themselves?

Gone are the every-other-word gang vocals, gone are the breakdowns and double-bass hammer, and in its place is strong songwriting. After being in the shadows of Bane and Shai Hulud, With Honor steps up to the plate with something that doesn't quite sound like traditional hardcore, but instead harkens back to the days when hardcore didn't mean Pantera-inspired breakdowns and musings about killing your lover.

This is positive hardcore made in 2005. There's nothing fancy in the packaging, just the lyrics and an interesting theme throughout the booklet, with no vanity shots or use of blood or knives. There is, however, a shout-out to tourmates Comeback Kid and Bane that brings tears to the eyes of anyone lucky enough to catch the tour the three groups shared this past year. Todd pours his heart out in "20 Strong:" "I've been staring / at these pictures so long / I swear they're talking back… / they'll never understand / how 20 kids in 3 vans / won't ever be the same again / 6 weeks in the clouds / I'm still not ready to come down."

Stylistically, there's nods to previous torchbearing groups like Gorilla Biscuits, but the songs feel like With Honor as opposed to a group mimicking 1988. Then again, this is With Honor here, so you still have the uplifting qualities that made Heart Means Everything worth repeated listens, but the songs themselves are stronger, no longer needing crutches to get through tepid moments of songs. Initially, there's a strong nod to Richmond's Strike Anywhere; repeated listens give the listener the idea that the group was listening to a lot of Ignite as well.

That said, there's no question that With Honor is and remains a hardcore band, but the digestion of Strike Anywhere seems to give rise to Todd's attack on the administration, which sound odd from a group that usually left its attacks on society; it's not out of place, however; "they march us off to a new war / it's soon to be a hundred more / we're wondering what the hell we're fighting for...rationalize words without action."

While this CD won't bring about any revolutions in music, it's much more than a solid release. It's a damn fine one that distances With Honor from the rest of the pack, and blows away any pretense of slowing down or giving in to pressure. With the release of This is Our Revenge, With Honor wipes the mascara and hair dye off of the Victory bulldog, and invites it to start again.

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Posted by Stefano on 2006-09-06 20:33:11
My Score:

at first i found this record to be appauling and horrible. the inside live shot of the band being the most appauling aspect of all. but after time i found discintion with the record that few bands can achieve. seriously a solid fuckin' record and a mature path for the guys to have taken.easily thier best work to date.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 18, 2006 at 2:17 PM (EST)

At first when I heard "Like Trumpets" on tv, I was for the most part, disgusted with what I heard. Being a CT Hardcore kid, growing up listening to With Honor and going to With Honor shows, I was disappointed. Very disappointed. Huge pileups, breakdowns, two-stepping, that WAS "With Honor" They set standards for the bands now just starting out. And now With Honor sings? WTF is that? But it is a huge step in redefining themselves. Finding a new sound without really selling out. I don't know about the whole "With Honor Still Being Hardcore." But I'll be checking out the With Honor/Strike Anywhere/Global Threat tour. I still love With Honor. I guess it's just the shock of the evolution of this incredible band that is turning away a lot of fans. I'm still a very big With Honor fan. Always will be. Being from CT, it's sort of an obligation. I can understand where the people are coming from when they're so quick to judge a band they've probably never taken the time to listen to. But I can see "This Is Our Revenge" taking them to higher places than they would have ever gotten if they stayed with Stillborn Records. The music will just take a little getting used to.

Posted by crazytoledo on 2006-01-01 18:54:03

I got this for $9.79 at the soon to be defunct, Media Play. It's been in my stereo ever since. I've been listening to 70% With Honor / 30% Calico System throighout my entire first year of my franchise in Madden, when I'm on the computer, bored, or doing what ever I feel like doing at the moment.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 11:59 PM (EST)

One of the strongest releases of 2005 in any genre. I've been a fan since the first ep. I haven't heard the split with the distance, but compared with Heart Means Everything, this is a step toward WH developing their own sound.

That being said this album focuses more on the melodic side of things, and less on hardcore, when compared with the earlier releases. But don't get the wrong idea. This is still a great, positive hardcore record. And don't worry! When i say melodic, I don't mean those ridiclous faux emo band vocals. This shit's real. My only complaint would be that it is over-produced, but hey, that's Victory for you.

I really, really, like everything I've heard from this band. And after seeing them live recently, it's clear they still know what hardcore is, and what hardcore means to the kids. Cop this.

Posted by LaidToWaste on 2005-12-16 13:04:11

My friends this is what is known as "shitcore". For people who like shitty music!

Posted by crazytoledo on 2005-12-15 21:11:49

Awesome Cover.
Awesome Band.

Posted by Anchors on 2005-11-21 16:04:34

This album is stellar.

I was a bit late in getting it, but I fucking love what they did with it. Great mix of old With Honor, and some Strike Anywhere thrown in as well.

'Like Trumpets' and 'Closets' could be two of the best songs they've done.

Posted by FAST_ED on 2005-11-10 16:37:11
My Score:

Oh yeah, go buy this now. It's definitely the best thing i've heard from Victory since CBK.

FAST_ED

Posted by FAST_ED on 2005-11-10 16:35:23
My Score:

How could anyone be upset just because of a particular label putting out this music. The music is good regardless. What the fuck is wrong with you people? I'd be stoked to have a record on Victory. It means your music will reach way more people. Fucking holier than thou fucks.....

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 21, 2005 at 9:38 PM (EDT)
My Score:

After release "Heart Means Everything" this album was easily the biggest disappoint of 2005. I hope this is just a sophomore slump but seriously this album was terrible compared to their last album.

Posted by moneenerd on 2005-10-20 20:51:43

This album is so fucking crucial.

Reminds me of a mix between 7 Seconds, CBK, and a bit of newer Propagandhi

Posted by bjr on 2005-10-20 18:07:35

With the release of This is Our Revenge, With Honor wipes the mascara and hair dye off of the Victory bulldog, and invites it to start again.

More like gives it a big black eye.......cuz these guys are brutal and they dont belong on a crap label such as victory like cbk,dh, and streetlight

Posted by vocalyouth on 2005-10-20 08:49:11

haven't listened to this yet, but everything after their first ep has been disappointing to me.

i wouldnt blame it on victory, even though i think we can all agree that they suck pretty bad these days.

Posted by Testiclese on 2005-10-19 23:16:49

you see the new h heights/victory commercial?

it says something like:
"We're sick of pop music. We live for real music"
and then the hh shit gets louder and it sounds like pop music to me.
but with stale screams, and even worse lyrics

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at 3:07 AM (EDT)

this is neither very bad nor very good

Posted by etwiels88 on 2005-10-18 22:32:06

Awesome album, Awesome band, Awesome people.
Some of you people need to take you negitive comments and shove it.

Keep it posi, brah. Woo!

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 9:35 PM (EDT)

This band definitely got a lot better. Good Record.
It's a shame it's on Victory.
That label is worse than majors. Most of the bands they put out are zero substance fake punk/hc. They force feed it to young kids and rip off bands and Tony is a millionare.
Aiden/Silverstien/Hawthorn Heights etc...... are all terrible bands.. but I kinda feel bad for them. Tony is just taking those kids for anything he can. Sure they're popular and selling tons of records. But I guarantee that in a couple years they'll be long forgotten and Tony will be making millions off some new trend and a fresh batch of naive pseudo-punk teenagers.
Very un-punk, un-ethical, and just a fucking shame.

Posted by PillsAndAdvice on 2005-10-18 19:49:04

"Fuck Victory Records and what they've done to With Honor and Comeback Kid. And fuck Equal Vision too"

The vast majority of this was already written before they signed to Victory.

Anyways, I think it's pretty damn good. Granted, the first couple of listens didn't seem to yield any real standouts, but now, I can easily say that Closets, A New War, and Elevens are fucking great songs. People who listened to the split with The Distance really shouldn't be that suprised at the way this sounds.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 7:28 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Awesome album, Awesome band, Awesome people.
Some of you people need to take you negitive comments and shove it.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 6:42 PM (EDT)

WHENS SOMEONE GOING TO REVIEW THE NEW RINGWORM?

"With the release of This is Our Revenge, With Honor wipes the mascara and hair dye off of the Victory bulldog, and invites it to start again"

nice

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 5:15 PM (EDT)

Meh... After stuff like Skitsystem, Das Oath, Coliseum, DS-13, Total Fury, etc., I don't see why everyone wets themselves about this band or any other "crew revival" band...

It must just be because more people hear this... They think it's "true hardcore" or whatever.

But it's on Victory.

-Will

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 5:13 PM (EDT)

In my opinion, they've gotten steadily worse since their first EP. I was all over that shit, then Heart came out and I really liked it, but still not as much as the EP. Then the split came out and I wondered if it was the same band... I really didn't dig the singing aspect at all. And now it sounds like he ruined his voice or something.... I dunno, I am just gonna keep listening to the EP and Heart Means Everything.

Fuck Victory Records and what they've done to With Honor and Comeback Kid. And fuck Equal Vision too.

Posted by Bryne on 2005-10-18 17:00:59

I saw these guys open for Comeback Kid and they were solid. I'll have to give this a listen.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 4:51 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Solid.

Posted by etwiels88 on 2005-10-18 15:35:05

The vocals sound so held back

Posted by kirbypuckett on 2005-10-18 14:45:44

The only thing I don't like about this record is that nothing seems to stick initally. I'm sure after a handful of listens I'll pick up on it all, but there aren't too many tracks that stand out right away.

- Kirby

Posted by Testiclese on 2005-10-18 14:29:54

"http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewI D =451 The blabbermouth crowd doesn't like this"

it got a 5.5?! but they gave ill nino a 6! it cant be that bad

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 2:14 PM (EDT)

http://www.xsisterhoodx.com is giving this album away along with a with honor t-shirt and victory records dvd.

Posted by LevitateMe on 2005-10-18 13:38:27

"4. They split with the Distance? OMG. Who said it? Is the Distance okay? Are they seeing other people?"

hahaha

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 1:04 PM (EDT)
My Score:

Getting this today, it has quite the old school hardcore vibe to it. Reminds me of the old anthrax days in ct-oldpunker-

Posted by superdude on 2005-10-18 08:51:43

This review was pretty good, but here’s how I would make it better:

1. They made a band out of that cancer benefit?

2. I only kept reading this because I thought we were going to talk about turkey. Did I miss something?

3. How come this band has no faces? Are they a gang?

4. They split with the Distance? OMG. Who said it? Is the Distance okay? Are they seeing other people?

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 7:57 AM (EDT)

Nothing like Gorilla Biscuits mate.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 7:56 AM (EDT)

hell, i wish they´d really sound like gorilla biscuits but all they do is being boring. its sad what has become of victory and revelation

Posted by facciadicoolo on 2005-10-18 06:06:02

hey punk z'nuff... i almost didnt get your comment until i saw the covert typo in jones' post...

ha ha ha ehhh... had too work too hard to laugh much.

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at 4:21 AM (EDT)

Not even remotely

Posted by AlmostPunkEnough on 2005-10-18 03:42:27

oh shit, nevermind i re-read that, you're right, i can't see their art guy anywhere there was no proff of him ever being here. i guess he does what he does well.

this really isn't funny at all, is it?

Posted by AlmostPunkEnough on 2005-10-18 03:40:54

jones, what do you mean? this art is all out in the open for everyone to see.

anyway, i really wanna hear this.

Posted by colton on 2005-10-18 01:20:44

"I listened to Heart, loved that, then heard the split, listened to that exclusively, and now I'm on to this. They keep getting better, and I'll say that till I'm blue in the face."

Dude, the EP was amazing beyond all reason.

Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2005-10-18 01:05:19

this is positive hardcore? maybe they should have tipped off their covert art guy to this fact

- jons the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Posted by _911 on 2005-10-18 01:03:52
My Score:

it's one of those albums that totally grows on you and when it does it kicks you right in the ass.

Posted by theundergroundscene on 2005-10-18 00:32:25

ughhhhhh i still don't know about this one!!!

6/10

i was let down

Posted by William_David on 2005-10-18 00:24:23
My Score:

Just wanted to say I enjoyed reading the review. You obviously have an extensive musical knowledge, and did a great job referring to other groups to help your review. Honestly, it was a good review.

With that said, I don't completely agree with you. I don't think the album is bad by any means. It just seems kind of generic. To me, they seem to blend in to the crowd. Once again, not insulting your review, but I didn't see anything special here.

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-10-18 00:18:54

http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID =451 The blabbermouth crowd doesn't like this

Posted by primeevil7 on 2005-10-18 00:18:50

Truth be told, new stuff from With Honor always outclasses the stuff that came bafore it, for me.

I listened to Heart, loved that, then heard the split, listened to that exclusively, and now I'm on to this. They keep getting better, and I'll say that till I'm blue in the face.

Posted by fallingupwards84 on 2005-10-18 00:16:12

at first I didnt like the clean vocals, but its grown on me and I think this is a fantastic album.
cant wait to see these guys again on tour.

Posted by inagreendase on 2005-10-18 00:14:50
My Score:

I liked the split songs better, but this is still good. But did McTernan think he had Hot Water Music in the studio? The production on the vocals is pretty muffled.