TERROR „One with the Underdogs”

Genre: Hardcore/metalcore
www.terrorhc.com

There are those in the Hardcore scene that truly rate Terror’s debut album ‘Lowest of the Low’ as one of the most aggressive records ever. A big call that. I’ve actually never heard it, but based on this new release ‘One with the Underdogs’ (which as far as hardcore aggro goes is no half assed affair either) it must be seriously brutal. For the serious fan of straight up, in your face metallic hardcore, Terror is your new favorite band.

Terror features ex members of Buried Alive and Carry on and as such they have the essential hardcore pedigree to match it with the best of them. At this point, it must be made clear that Terror is first and foremost a traditionalist’s hardcore band. Call them retro if you like – you’ll get no argument from me – but in a time where the lines between what is Metalcore and Hardcore are constantly blurred, Terror’s musical blueprint is based upon old-school hardcore ethics. If you want comparisons, think NYC punters – Madball (who are the nearest comparison sound wise), Cause For Alarm, Warzone, Blood For Blood all the way back to classic Agnostic Front.

Digesting those influences, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that Terror are pure and simple in their musical approach. ‘Technical’ is not in their HC dictionary. It’s all short, straightforward fast-paced metallic hardcore. And while you would be right in assuming that Terror doesn’t offer anything all that different in the scene, you’d go a long way to find a more pissed off and overtly angry hardcore album at the moment. With frontman Scott Vogel bellowing his rage with ultra conviction (in true Jamey Jasta style also) and a musically punishing production, the combination is rather addictive. Add some killer breakdowns and catchy gang style choruses, and OWTU becomes just a tad more impressive than most doing this shit.

Fans of this style will be impressed to find the inclusion of some guest vocalists attached to this album (nothing like getting the who’s who of hardcore to endorse your product hey?). The appearance of Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta on ‘Spit My Rage’ gives this disc immediate cred as does the appearance of Madball’s Freddy Cricien on ‘Find My Way’. Furthermore, Terror use Lord Ezac (from Scarhead) and Hard-Corey (who ever he is??) on a couple of other tracks.

It’s pretty hard to write about a metallic hardcore album without using the adjective ‘uncompromising’. But, I must admit that it’s a rather apt description of this album. You’ll even find it on the front cover sticker. This is straight up, old fashioned Hardcore with a killer modern production that emphasizes Terror’s power just that bit further.

If you happen to grab the limited edition version of OWTU’ you notice that the CD itself is ‘BLACK’ (even the underside) and in line with the old-school feel that Terror exude, quite fittingly presents itself as a ‘vinyl record’ (33rpm and needle grooves included). Hatebreed and Madball fans should seek this out immediately.

note: 7/10

Tracklist

1. One With The Underdogs
2. Keep Your Mouth Shut
3. Less Than Zero
4. Are We Alive?
5. Overcome
6. Spit My Rage
7. No One Cares
8. Not This Time
9. Crushed By The Truth
10. Out Of My Face
11. All I’ve Got
12. Find My Way
13. Enemies In Sight