By guest writer Jared Saleski
I’ve thought a lot about how to write this review and then, after listening to this album several times through, it hit me. This album makes me feel like the first time I listened to Hatebreed in 2002, Biohazard and Sworn Enemy in 2003, and Terror in 2004, and Comeback Kid in 2005. Granted, out of all of these bands they most closely resemble Biohazard, Terror, Comeback Kid and older Hatebreed, but the point is this album has so many elements of hardcore from the 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s that it is incredible, while still keeping a modern feel.
The album starts off with the track “Their Rules.” This serves as the perfect opening track for the album. With Gang chants and fast and heavy riffs, this track sets the tone of the album. There is even a short solo toward the end of the song.
The song “Wash Away” instantly makes me think of the first time I heard Terror. Fast-paced riffs and beats suddenly turn into slower chugging that make it impossible to not at least’ bang your head to it a bit.
By the time “Lost In Life” hits you have the feel for this album. It’s fast, heavy, catchy, groovy… you get the idea. Modern day hardcore paying tribute to their predecessors. There are even a few samples on this album that fit in perfectly to where they are placed, such as the horror movie-sounding effect used on “Tortured” along with a Bass Intro that takes you back in time.
The song “Still Searching” has the best, most simple riffs that take it away from hardcore a bit. Almost reminds me of listening to Helmet years ago. Which appropriate seeing as both bands are from New York.
I am extremely happy I was asked to review this album. I love hardcore, but sometimes I get tired of the same bands and don’t give newer bands the time of day. It’s easy to think this way as we get older too, but I am very glad I gave this album a chance because it has become one of my favorites as has the band themselves. Hardcore is about heart, emotion, and screaming your lungs out… and this album matches up to that perfectly. Backtrack has kept the New York style and attitude, but stepped out of the box enough to keep you hooked and interested in track after track. Seems I need to get back to listening to more Bridge Nine Records artists. These guys have some US Dates left this month before they head overseas. If you can catch them, please do so I can be envious of you.
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