This is a brilliant, brilliant record. If you like Strike Anywhere or bands like Comeback Kid or Bane, then you’ll love With Honor. This is 11 tracks and 27-minutes of fists in the air melodic hardcore that stands out from the rash of bands also doing this kind of thing. Although they’ve been around for three years and have an established back catalogue, this is the first record I’ve listened to from the Connecticut quintet – and it won’t be the last, that’s for sure.
‘This Is Our Revenge’ is anthemic, hard-hitting and yet features some really sweet melodies. It’s not poppy by any means, but you can sing and scream along at the same time – I guess comparisons to Strike Anywhere are inevitable, mainly because both bands make me want to punch the air and scream along with vigour. ‘Like Trumpets’ is a standout opening track, just shy of three minutes it’s a riotous anthemic way to kick off proceedings. But this is the vein the band continue in – ‘Elevens’ is absolutely enormous, while ‘A New War’ sounds unbeatable.
There’s a tinge of seminal acts like Gorilla Biscuits in tracks like ‘Closets’, but then with immaculate production from the hands of Brian McTernan that’s arguably no surprise. Lyrically this is also a stellar release – very positive and uplifting, the band hit the spot in more ways than one. If you’ve recently become worried that Victory bands had to be masked in mascara and face-paint, With Honor will wipe away any misconceptions with what is one of the best hardcore releases of the year. This is a must listen kids, check it out.
www.withhonor.com
Victory Records
Paul