COLISEUM
No Salvation
(Relapse)

TERHEN
Eyes Unfolded
(Firebox)

OXBOW
The Narcotic Story
(Hydra Head)

THESE ARE:
Scare Tactics
(Hold True)

TOMAHAWK
Anonymous
(Ipecac)

CAPITAL
Homefront 

(Revelation)

GET BACK UP
Weathering the Storm

(Organized Crime)

MORE REVIEWS

Three dudes with black rimmed glasses and two spec-less fellas (who might be wearing contact lenses) conform this New England hardcore hybrid unit. I bring up the fact of their possible communal myopia because only ten years ago it was totally unacceptable for a rocker to wear glasses. These days though, the more the better player they are, the more into hardcore they are, the smarter they seem, the shorter their hair, the tighter their jeans and the bigger their hip trend appeal. I doubt these dudes care though; musically These Are: keep it raw and blistering and hastily jump from inspired second of math rock to hardcore to a somewhat lucid yet passing post hardcore wave. That said; I gotta be totally sincere, I like this band’s intentions, but I am not completely satisfied with their execution and some of their songs sound half-cooked. The thing is, music ain’t no sushi man!

These Are: seem much brighter when attacking our senses full on; No pretensions, zero poses, blacklights so intense we can’t see the three dudes wearing their black rimmed glasses. “Miss Illegitimate” holds no bars, starts off in incendiary mode but finds no solace via its dead and resurrection. Halfway through its attempts of re-animating itself the vocals of all the These Are: dudes come off a bit weak. Like they hadn’t had lunch.  I dig the first seconds of grind of “Diaspora”, rejoice on its jumpy groove, and can appreciate the care that went into the guitars. Much of what follows of Scare Tactics is a consciously attempt at experimenting within extreme realms and like every veritable attempt; it’s worth our attention.

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