Down to Nothing

All My Sons [7-inch] (2010)
Reaper Records

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Contributed by: OverDefined
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on June 8th 2010

Richmond’s Down to Nothing is in many ways the quintessential hardcore band: heavy without being metal or tough-guy, fun but not dumb or cheesy, and catchy while still maintaining a hard edge. The guitars are huge, but stick to riffs you could hum along to and the vocals are in mid-range and don’t take too many chances. It’s a formula that many bands try, but few perform so effortlessly as Down to Nothing. If someone who wasn't familiar with this genre asked me to hear something, I would play them this band because they hit all the modern elements, but simply do it in a more enjoyable way than most any other band of this style.

All My Sons represents the band’s first release on Reaper Records after spending time on both Thorp and Revelation. While the lower production values on this record might make it seem like the band is taking a step backwards, this is still the same band cranking out highly listenable hardcore with just enough meat on the bones to qualify for repeat listening. The highlight for me is the track “Set Sail,” starting out with a palm-muted groove before busting into a great half-time riff that is impossible not to bob your head to.

Lyrically, David Wood often sticks to the positive and inspirational style of lyrics so prevalent in hardcore. Lines like “stay sharp, stay real, stay true: undefeated,” from the title track, have that typical modern hardcore approach, but the delivery is smooth and not so overbearing and eyeball roll-inducing like other bands such as Reign Supreme. There are even gang vocals, but are used properly: backups to the main vocals and not the centerpiece.

From a strictly elemental standpoint, Down to Nothing isn't that different than most hardcore bands--riffs, palm-muting, breakdowns and yelling. However, why it works, I think, is that DTN doesn't take itself too seriously. They’re a hardcore band and don’t pretend to be anything more or less. For hardcore, which has its roots and purpose close to the ground, this lack of grandeur is a welcome thing.

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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.

bubbajo (August 3, 2010)

breakdowns and hardcore dance moves are for bandwagoners looking to find fake toughness. Try some US Bombs instead.

Rastid (June 21, 2010)

solid release. i enjoyed it.

eran_zombis (June 12, 2010)

yeah, it was a joke. I didn't even like champion much, it's just the second broken up hardcore band I could think of. even though there are plenty.

hayman (June 11, 2010)

Huh? Is that a joke? Modern Life is War and Champion have both broken up.

eran_zombis (June 11, 2010)

Modern Life is War is the best hardcore band going these days IMHO. Champion is pretty good too, if only they'd tour more.

hayman (June 10, 2010)

Toe To Toe are the best hardcore band going as far as I'm concerned. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4V7nSW8lwg

jeffernator (June 10, 2010)

"People who completely dismiss other human beings because they don't like a certain genre of music are fucking stupid."

I'm laughing with Mikexdude.

Blackjaw_ (June 10, 2010)

I love when Mike's in a giddy mood like that, just laughin and laughin

mikexdude (June 9, 2010)

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahaha

thepopeofchili-town (June 9, 2010)

"People who say they "hate hardcore" are ignorant, misinformed, and just useless."

People who completely dismiss other human beings because they don't like a certain genre of music are fucking stupid.

seeingred (June 9, 2010)

Record is good. Judging from the comments below however, the reviewer is a fuckin douchebag.

thepopeofchili-town (June 9, 2010)

I didn't say I hated hardcore anywhere in here. I was just commenting that I think this band is terrible. I was going by itunes samples when I made my original comment, but now I had to actually take the time to listen to this EP, and I stand by it. This is a fairly accurate description:

"Down to Nothing isn't that different than most hardcore bands--riffs, palm-muting, breakdowns and yelling. However, why it works, I think, is that DTN doesn't take itself too seriously. They’re a hardcore band and don’t pretend to be anything more or less. For hardcore, which has its roots and purpose close to the ground, this lack of grandeur is a welcome thing."

But while you seem to think that's a good thing, I strongly, strongly disagree. The four bands I named are doing something new and exciting with a mostly outdated genre and taking it to places it's never been. This band isn't doing anything new, and what they are doing wasn't that great in the first place.

mychoice (June 9, 2010)

Good review. I like how you point out this band isn't some cheesy tough guy hardcore band like ton of people not into hardcore would assume. It's a hard record but not obnoxiously so. Definitely a solid record.

mikexdude (June 9, 2010)

People who say they "hate hardcore" are ignorant, misinformed, and just useless.

overdefined (June 9, 2010)

No sweat.

outbreak (June 9, 2010)

So you did, I apologise.

overdefined (June 9, 2010)

I said "modern"

outbreak (June 9, 2010)

I found it to be pretty boring and generic; especially the lyrics which are cheesy and not in a good way.

If someone who wasn't familiar with this genre asked me to hear something, I would play them this band because they hit all the modern elements, but simply do it in a more enjoyable way than most any other band of this style.

Play them judge instead.

LeightonESmith (June 9, 2010)

Hardcore is awesome.

jeffernator (June 9, 2010)

Haha, that would be Pope doing his Popey thing--generally hating hardcore.

These dudes aren't that different from a lot of hardcore bands. They just happen to do it better than a lot of them. Inspiring lyrics and music that injects me with energy. I'd like another full length from these guys next time around.

overdefined (June 8, 2010)

Popeofchillitown - you really just showed me by naming four of the most popular hardcore bands and then utilized TWO overused internet memes to get your point across. Seriously though, what really bothers me is I write 4 paragraphs of thought-out explanation, comparison, and references, and you put one word that is grossly exaggerated. Then you respond with "this...not so much." Everyone on the internet is so lazy. Think out a reason or at least say something clever. PLEASE.

Douglas_is_rad (June 8, 2010)

"Another punknews poster who doesn't listen to or "get" hardcore having an opinion."

as a dude who used to be into this style of Hardcore, I can safely say that DTN has always been a better live band than recorded band. A lot of DTN's stuff is boring both musically and lyrically. Like, REALLY boring. Like, terribly boring. But they sure used to kill it live.

thepopeofchili-town (June 8, 2010)

"Another punknews poster who doesn't listen to or "get" hardcore having an opinion."

Fucked Up, Blacklisted, Paint It Black, Ceremony... all great.

This... not so much.

mattramone (June 8, 2010)

This actually made me kind of want to check it out, and you know how I feel about hardcore.

overdefined (June 8, 2010)

"thepopeofchili-town (38 minutes ago)

terrible."

Another punknews poster who doesn't listen to or "get" hardcore having an opinion.

mikexdude (June 8, 2010)

This is a review.

thepopeofchili-town (June 8, 2010)

terrible.