Verse

Verse: From Anger and RageFrom Anger and Rage (2006)
Rivalry Records

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

User Rating:

Contributed by: AnchorsAnchors
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on September 15th 2006I've questioned the motives -- of all things under the sun! The theme of From Anger and Rage can be summed up in that excerpt from "Start a Fire," though there's much more to this band than simple ideologies. Regardless, it's an inspired message from this Rhode Island five-piece. As much a message .

I've questioned the motives -- of all things under the sun!

The theme of From Anger and Rage can be summed up in that excerpt from "Start a Fire," though there's much more to this band than simple ideologies. Regardless, it's an inspired message from this Rhode Island five-piece. As much a message of hope as one of individuality, of the ability to question what is shown to you and what you are told. The words are simple, but at the same time, they seem to carry the weight of the world, and to be honest, this is one band who I would not mind seeing wave that flag.

They've come a long way since their first EP, seemingly just now finding comfort in their shoes, and their ability to branch out, while still retaining those same songs and ideals that so many kids gravitate towards. Vocalist Sean Murphy's delivery is one that while not immediately gripping, warms up quickly, and the tenacity and sincerity there is something nobody could possibly deny. The impact of every line furthers the obvious passion that he has for both his own music and everyone listening. I may be giving off an erroneous image here, though, Verse is certainly not a one-man show. While Murphy's impassioned vocals are what's most obviously evident about the album, the band behind him are none to shabby either.

Something has changed, or at very least, been tweaked musically as well. Everything seems bigger, louder, and more ferocious than ever before. The guitars carry a frenetic rhythm straight from the outset in "Weather to a Stone," and form perfectly to the way the vocals are delivered. A bit heavier than last time, the riffs tower and plummet with reckless abandon, the drum fills are loud enough to shake the very foundations of everything within earshot. Music and vocals coalesce better than I'd have thought this band was capable of. The aforementioned "Start a Fire" also does a terrific job of illustrating that point. At almost 4 and a half minutes, it's by far the longest song on the record, but not once does it waver or show the slightest hint at losing steam.

Beginning with nothing more than some quiet string plucking, the drums and guitar splash in briefly while the volume continues to build on the tension, until finally the gang vocal of "I CAN'T ACCEPT, WHAT'S BEEN DONE," then leads into the line that began this very review. That passion is the driving force behind the rest of the song, with some melodic undercurrents carrying the song's weight on its back, save for the moments that the band pauses to really let loose. After the song ends, the quick 30 seconds of "Standing in the Ashes" blitzes through to make way for the title track, one that's poised and ready to throw everything into a storm of intensity. Not kicking into high gear until almost a minute through, the band wastes no time after, piling on the full gang vocals and great combination of melodic and distorted guitar. Murphy is again the real cog behind the band, though, because as the song moves on, his vocals become louder, and angrier, and more frantic than ever, until the screams of "from anger and rage...COMES REBELLION," take things out.

Hardcore, plain and simple, needs more bands like Verse. More bands that can match their own passion and intensity with the skill to parlay it into something memorable. From Anger and Rage fits that bill. I sure hope you weren't waiting for a chance to hold your breath.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

xWeWereHerex (August 17, 2007)

very good review. i love this whole album. however it is a required taste i believe. well for me it was. it took a while for me to come around to this band. but now they are a favorite of mine. ill stop rambling now.but i dont see the bane comparison

xsomecamerunningx (July 19, 2007)

this deserves a full 5, along with Have Heart's debut album one of the best hardcore albums in years.

Anonymous (September 19, 2006)

Another Breath is better than Verse. If you've ever seen AB live u would all agree.

Scruffy (September 18, 2006)

I think people are too quick to give out 10s. A 10/10 album should have, quite literally, 100% nothing wrong with it. It should be perfect in every conceivable sense.
I only have one album I think deserves a perfect 10. Everyone's will be different, but no one should have that many. Every other album in my list of the best albums ever still has a few things I think could stand to be changed.

LeightonESmith (September 17, 2006)

Sirens: The Hope Con isn't a 10.
I'd say that its weak compared to their other material.
I'd give Cold Blue 10.

I just seem to blend my impressions of Another Breath, Verse and Have Heart together.

BizzleBrizzle (September 16, 2006)

anonymous poster below doesn't know what he's talking about, Verse's singer has one of the most intense believable voices.

Anonymous (September 16, 2006)

hey anchors, i think the guy's voice is missing something that makes this record unimpressive....a certain "gravitas" if you will, that guys like ian mackaye and henry rollins had..

etwiels88 (September 15, 2006)

Seriously good album. The title track is hard as shit.

dir (September 15, 2006)

Ooooo Anchor's LOVES Atreyu!!

Anchors (September 15, 2006)

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 15, 2006 at 1:23 PM (ED)
is this the same kid that gave atreyu a 9 or whatever. PN reviewing hardcore brings the lolz.

Click 'see others by this reviewer.' Is there an Atreyu review in there? Thought so.

changeisasound (September 15, 2006)

This record is amazing. Theres so much passion and its actually geared towards something productive, something that can help bring about a change.

Anonymous (September 15, 2006)

is this the same kid that gave atreyu a 9 or whatever. PN reviewing hardcore brings the lolz.

BizzleBrizzle (September 15, 2006)

Seriously, this record fucking rules so much. Verse is awesome.

sirens (September 15, 2006)

I gave it a 10. I doubt my review will get posted, I went alittle overboard. I do think its far better than endnote.

danperrone (September 15, 2006)

yes, i like it, but not as much as everyone else seems to like it

i would give it a 7

sirens (September 15, 2006)

dan, have you heard the new Hope Con?

danperrone (September 15, 2006)

and to counter that, the note had some of the worst production :[

danperrone (September 15, 2006)

i think give blood has the best production i've ever heard on a hardcore record

those drums are so huge, omg

sickboi (September 15, 2006)

See Danny-boy, my comment was no meant to be taken literally. Its more like a "I think that is a realy great album" kinda comment. Sheesh.

danperrone (September 15, 2006)

and even if that WAS my opinion, i'd have probably made it after hearing give blood, so that was just a douchey comment on your part

danperrone (September 15, 2006)

i meant better than anything verse has ever done

obviously this isn't as good as bane

johnnydanger (September 15, 2006)

Sooooooooooooooooooooo good.

Anonymous (September 15, 2006)

"Seriously dude, if you really believe this blows away anything Bane has ever done, you've never heard Give Blood."

Bane's run as a good band ended some time after "It All Comes Down to This" and before "Give Blood." As a HC band, they were never that good, but as a pure youth crew cheesey lyrics fun band, they were cool.

-William Marinovic

Anonymous (September 15, 2006)

More self righteous crewcore. This band is okay, but the Horror are so much better.

sickboi (September 15, 2006)

"Yeah, well, that's just like, your opinion man..."

Seriously dude, if you really believe this blows away anything Bane has ever done, you've never heard Give Blood.

danperrone (September 15, 2006)

oh man...i think this blows away anything they've ever done

sickboi (September 15, 2006)

Not bad. They remind me of Bane.

colin (September 15, 2006)

i didn't mean to say "better" as in better written

this is well written

just seems a little.. i don't know. the record isn't as good as the last.

colin (September 15, 2006)

my review was way better.

this isn't a 9. 7 at best.

danperrone (September 15, 2006)

and the singer sounds SO MUCH like zach de la rocha at the end of the title track...i cannot shake that comparison, it's awesome

danperrone (September 15, 2006)

holy god this album is amazing, could be the best hardcore album of the year

i like it more than another breath, but that is not too far behind

"start a fire" is INSANE

Anonymous (September 15, 2006)

Yep. It's very good. Puts some vitality back in hardcore...

BrendanKelly (September 15, 2006)

Rawrrrrrrrrrr hardxcore brutality.

inagreendase (September 15, 2006)

They'll always be better live than on record, but I definitely think this was an improvement on Rebuild. It's pretty ambitious, and holy shit, "Stolen" kills.