The Warriors – See How You Are

The term ?hardcore? probably gets thrown around a little bit too leniently these days. Some of this reviewer?s less metal-wise friends have haphazardly described groups as varied as Opeth and Bring Me The Horizon as ?hardcore? bands, and while it?s definitely not the end of the world, it?s a good example of how well known the genre is today, and yet how misunderstood it is by a lot people. Leading the charge for a new wave of ?true? hardcore is California group The Warriors, and their fourth record (and first in over three years) ?See How You Are? shows that there is a big difference between the band and their metalcore leaning peers from the same state.

The opening title track is the climb before the big descent, with the guitars feedbacking behind vocalist Marshall Lichtenwaldt impassioned yells, but the tune is merely an intro to the pile driving ?The War Unseen?, which is followed by the equally raucous ?Pit of Shame?. ?See How You Are?, to this reviewer, is what a hardcore album should be; big shout-alongs inside even bigger songs wrapped around meaty guitar riffs and no nonsense drumming.

?Seize the Fire? brings up more cracking six string work, with a melodic lead line working underneath the chorus, ?Mental Chains? again shows off guitarists Charlie Alvarez and Javier Zarate?s riffing prowess and thunderous march of ?Here We Go Again? packs gang-vocals, breakdowns and a particularly tasty solo. The album?s heaviest track ?Panic? features guest vocals from Parkway Drive?s Winston McCall, and the down-tuned chugging guitar lines aren?t too far away from the Australian?s day job.

?See How You Are? isn?t about reinventing the wheel (it?s nothing really that Hatebreed haven?t done before), it?s about making it harder and better, and what the record will hopefully do is bring in those sitting on fence and force them to embrace the primal energy and raw power The Warriors have on offer.

Rating: 8
Label: Victory Records
Website: www.myspace.com/thewarriors

By Andrew Kapper

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxTQ3m6w-x0