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Blacklisted

Peace on Earth, War on Stage [7 inch] (2007)
Deathwish Inc.

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Contributed by: Ben_Conoley
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on July 27th 2007

Philadelphia's Blacklisted aren't the easiest band to like, but it's difficult to deny them a position as one of the best hardcore bands around. I suppose, though, that what makes them tough to like is at the same time what makes them so appealing. The band's brutally heavy music paired with vocalist George Kirsch's dark lyrics can either make you feel great that you're not dealing with those emotions, or at the very least let you know you're not alone.

Peace on Earth, War on Stage is the band's EP followup to 2005's The Beat Goes On. It's easily as powerful as anything the band has released to this point and benefits from a seemingly solidified and fine-tuned lineup. At only four songs (six minutes) in length, the 7" is teasingly short of what fans of the band may have been hoping for. Somehow, though, the band finds time to slow things down at times to provide breakdowns and a more pummeling feel to the songs. Also showing growth, Kirsch manages to actually sing a few times, all the while without stripping any of the raw aggression away.

As dark as Blacklisted is, though, there is still some vary apparent hope through the bleakness. Kirsch's lyrics may focus on failure brought on by himself and others, but at the same time he continues to give the impression that such obstacles aren't enough to slow him down. It's reassuring to hear someone talk about life's difficulties without it ending at that and instead treating them as obstacles to overcome all the while avoiding trivializing them.

Blacklisted have proven themselves as one of hardcore's saving graces, a rock you can count on while the genre is paraded around in many different forms, often embarrassingly so. With Peace on Earth, War on Stage they reassure us that they're not going anywhere and they're only getting stronger.

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Anonymous (July 29, 2007)

Just another reason to hate hardcore.

inagreendase (July 29, 2007)

I think I've seen this band almost a dozen times (mostly inadvertently) and enjoy them every time, but damn if they're not just a little overrated.

This is probably some of their better material, though.

Decent band. A little to WWF for me.

I only vaguely get this but I'm fucking LOL.

COMMODORE_STRYCHNINE (July 29, 2007)

Blacklisted with Ceremony, Crime in Stereo Others This Wednesday(August 1, 2007) in Fresno at The Exit (aka The Belmont). Should be a good show, be there if you are near.

Anonymous (July 28, 2007)

Not giving this at least an 8 is a crime. This is easily some of the best music released this year.

Anonymous (July 28, 2007)

the review absolutely blows. whoever wrote it obviously wasn't a fan of hardcore, which is fine, but at least give an unbiased review. and will people please stop saying how dark and "brutal" hardcore bands lyrics are, just because someone sings with a deep voice and screams, doesn't make it brutal, it makes it "hardcore music", thats how it's supposed to sound. Great band, great ep. period.

Anonymous (July 28, 2007)

amazing record, isnt this like a year old already? cant wait for their next one

moneenerd (July 28, 2007)

Decent band. A little to WWF for me.

Anonymous (July 28, 2007)

review, no good, record, awesome

etwiels88 (July 28, 2007)

2nd best 7" I've heard this year. Canadian Rifle FTW.

CANONIZED. FUCK ME.

Anonymous (July 27, 2007)

this review sucks,they are playing down the street from me next week,i'll check them out...

feeeding5000 (July 27, 2007)

Why do people always point out how short an EP is? I mean, if it were like 10 seconds or something, I could see that being interesting, but, damn, the record has a finite amount of space for music on it. Get used to it.

Anonymous (July 27, 2007)

Best EP of 07.

remainsunseen (July 27, 2007)

great 7", full length will be awesome

Anonymous (July 27, 2007)

band rules, 7" rules, end of story.

Anonymous (July 27, 2007)

band is amazing

Albert_Belle (July 27, 2007)

This band is terrible, NEXT!

Adam_K (July 27, 2007)

This review kinda sucks.