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Blacklisted

...The Beat Goes On
2005
Deathwish

Blacklisted - ...The Beat Goes On (Cover Artwork)

Review by: AdamBarone
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Published on January 20th 2006

Living close to Philadelphia has given me quite an amazing privilege to watch this band bloom into what they are now. Ever since I heard Blacklisted’s lead singer, George Kirsch, sing a guest spot on Punishment’s “Broken But Not Dead” I was immediately intrigued. The band's previous material was mostly overlooked outside of the Philly scene until the recent Deathwish release of We’re Unstoppable, which contained the Our Youth Is Wasted LP as well as the early demo tracks. To many, Our Youth Is Wasted will always be the defining Blacklisted record, but for me, I was more than willing to see what ...The Beat Goes On could deliver.

Noticeably, the band has weighted their music with a heavier guitar tuning and a beautifully punchy recording courtesy of Jim Seigel. If you’re scared off by blatant aggression and anger, then Blacklisted is probably not what you’re looking for in a hardcore band. The Cro-Mags-esque vocal style that Kirsch used on the previous recordings is seldom heard on this record. I’ve heard several Hatebreed comparisons, but unless we’re talking about Under the Knife or Satisfaction...-era Hatebreed i wouldn’t really group these two bands together. Blacklisted is entirely a product of modern hardcore at this point. Their songwriting style is proof of that. Somehow the band manages to be unapologetically heavy without resorting to tired chugga chugga breakdowns. Songs like “Wolves at My Door” and “I Refuse” are filled with motion in their structure as well as plenty of speed and aggression.

Unlike many, I wasn’t looking for the band to deliver another Our Youth Is Wasted because I think that’s a bit absurd considering what the band has gone through in terms of lineup changes. I’ve never complained when hardcore bands get heavier or more aggressive over time. If you share this same outlook, then ...The Beat Goes On will fulfill every possible desire you could have for a hardcore record of this day and age.

[originally written for PunkROCKS.net]

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, May 7, 2007 at 3:06 AM (EDT)

Fuck FSU and bands whose members are in FSU. This band has a couple good tunes, but the vibe is just ruined by that bullshit.

Posted by BisonChris on 2006-11-19 17:52:09

great record

Posted by beest on 2006-01-23 23:00:16
My Score:

this band is sick cant wait til they return

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 23, 2006 at 5:20 PM (EST)

It does sound like AN. Not that that's bad band to be inspired by at all though. Blacklisted aren't as good as them of course, but they're a very solid band none the less.

Posted by benz on 2006-01-22 16:45:53

I know alot of people are like "Blacklisted doesn't sound like American Nightmare! How dare you", but they definetly do sound similar.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 22, 2006 at 3:14 PM (EST)

this isn't tough guy nor does it sound like American Nightmare.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 21, 2006 at 11:40 PM (EST)

fuck this tough guy hardcore

Posted by benz on 2006-01-21 18:45:18

Yeah, i wouldn't call this tough guy hardcore.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 21, 2006 at 12:45 PM (EST)

ps: this band sounds nothing like Hope Con....Hope Con are miles beyond these guys. who's going to the ICC show in Allston!?!?!?!? omgz

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 21, 2006 at 12:44 PM (EST)

generic, but still pretty decent....as somebody below said, when they're on it, they're really on it. but there's a few too many of these types of bands biting on the american nightmare style right now. this isn't as generic as any of the tuff guy hardcore bands, but still not enough to differentiate themselves. but what the shit do i know, i'm just another shlub posting on an internet message board. on a slightly tangential note, i bought this one and the new modern life is war album, and i haven't listened to this one nearly as much as i've been listening to MLIW.....

Posted by BizzleBrizzle on 2006-01-21 11:51:48

Again, Fuck this tough guy horseshit.

---Trav.

I wouldn't really call them a "tough guy" band.

Posted by moneenerd on 2006-01-21 11:20:53

definately a band that is getting way too much cred.

save your money for Bones Brigade albums.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 21, 2006 at 10:05 AM (EST)

Again, Fuck this tough guy horseshit.

---Trav.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 21, 2006 at 12:08 AM (EST)
My Score:

Score is for them live in a small venue, on a straight-edge tour. Completely boring but decent looking merch, sadly.

Posted by Icapped2pac on 2006-01-20 18:27:07
My Score:

I don't care about the music, but my score is for the well-written review.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 20, 2006 at 6:12 PM (EST)

Blacklisted - ...The Beat Goes On
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-01-20 06:42:53

Almost as bad as Hoods. Almost.

Your Fucking Braindead.

don't you like metalcore?

Posted by etwiels88 on 2006-01-20 15:19:00

one of the best hardcore bands around nigga

Posted by BroDave_17 on 2006-01-20 14:31:09

"i dont listen to blacklisted cause they are bigger pussies than hoods"

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

i concur...i think these bands probably like to fist each other anally...elbow first

Posted by BizzleBrizzle on 2006-01-20 13:54:33

How do people get Hatebreed out of this?

I'd say it's closest to The Hope Conspiracy.

Posted by johnnydanger on 2006-01-20 13:32:34

so fucking good

Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2006-01-20 13:09:24

i dont listen to blacklisted cause they are bigger pussies than hoods

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

Posted by BlaquacadetZstyles on 2006-01-20 11:55:02
My Score:

This album is way plain at times, but when it gets good it gets SO good.
Cool album title too.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 20, 2006 at 11:18 AM (EST)

sooooooooo good.
-Janelle

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 20, 2006 at 10:52 AM (EST)

you are all nuts..this a a great album all the way through.

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 20, 2006 at 10:51 AM (EST)
My Score:

This album is boooooooooooooooooooooooooring. Everyone has been raving about it, and I have no idea why.

Posted by crazytoledo on 2006-01-20 09:57:10

Blacklisted - ...The Beat Goes On
Posted by Anonymous on 2006-01-20 06:42:53

Almost as bad as Hoods. Almost.

Your Fucking Braindead.

Posted by elliot on 2006-01-20 09:53:34
My Score:

i like it. nothing amazing, but a solid, dependable release.

Posted by Scruffy on 2006-01-20 09:49:08

Whatcha gonna do now that ya been blacklisted?

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 20, 2006 at 6:42 AM (EST)

Almost as bad as Hoods. Almost.

Posted by danperrone on 2006-01-20 01:14:00

eh

this band has 0% originality and there are bands that do it 100x better

a very plain album

Posted by etwiels88 on 2006-01-20 00:34:25

I should have known you were one of the wolves at my doorrrr

Posted by crazytoledo on 2006-01-20 00:26:01

Fucking sweet ass hardcore album!