Guns Up!-All This Is Review

Time for a CD that's a bit older. Guns Up!, a recently disbanded hardcore group, released All This Is on the semi-famous 1917 record label in 2005, and it remains their best. This is traditional New York hardcore at its finest. Everything from the vocalist's style, lyrics, riffs, and drum beats have that traditional tough feel. At just a bit over 23 minutes, it packs a hell of a punch for its truncated length.

Now, if you don't like traditional hardcore, you may not like this album. But, hell, this is the CD that originally got me into hardcore. It's everything good about the hardcore scene, while still being accessible and, dare I say it...catchy (?!?!?!?!).

All hardcore tends to get its listeners excited, pumped, ready to move. It easily explains the giant fighting mosh pits that pop up at every show. But there's an inexplicable quality to every riff, every verse in this CD that just oozes adrenaline. It's not a particularly fast CD. Every song has its quick and slow parts...and some have always-intense breakdowns. The riffs aren't even all that complicated. Any tab for a Guns Up! song is saturated with simple power chords and palm muting, but hell if the guitarists didn't find a way to make them sound awesome. It's often said that technicality doesn't mean anything in guitar playing, it's the feeling behind the notes, and that mantra is showcased brilliantly here.

The drumming is superb. Again, not overly complicated, but done very well. The drummer transitions from fast verses to breakdowns seamlessly. Great fills. Excellent bass drum work. Very good hardcore-style drummer.

Ah, the vocalist. The vocals are always my favorite part of any song. This vocalist pushes his vocal chords to the extreme with every line, every shout, every grunt. He has a deeper, strained style. It's not technically a "scream," but those who listen to hardcore will probably know what I'm talking about. A talk-yell-scream? Ah, to hell with it. It's awesome and hard to explain.

If you're into hardcore, pick this up. And, even if you aren't, at least give "All In" or "Break Yourself/Least Of My Worries" a try. Maybe you'll find a new genre to love.

So, in conclusion:

"Yo, straight up, hit this shit!" -"All In"

10/10