Focus Reviews

XDeathstarX - We Are The Threat
Style: Hardcore/Metal/Straight-edge
Running Time: 35 Minutes and 58 Seconds
Label: http://www.facedownrecords.com/


Three vocalists, thunderous drumming, rumbling guitars all in a nice straight-edge hardcore package. Though the album has been out for a while it's still one hell of a strong album. XDeathstarX's 'We Are The Threat' is a 36 minute gauntlet of ass kicking including 11 songs that feature some straight up hardcore/metal with some death metal/thrash vibes going on at times. Drum work that never really paces too fast, nor too slow, seemingly mid-paced all throughout, still clever and well formed to the music. Guitar work that throws its weight around from genre to genre mixing styles quite well. Vocals that scream at you to listen and pay attention to whats going on with this album. Question here is, can you distinguish three vocalists that scream in a similar style/vocal tone ? I can't but it still works to their advantage that I can't.

It all works very nicely for XDeathstarX throughout 'We Are The Threat' and theres not a part of this album that felt contrived in any way. Sure they were trying to be heavy, but thats just a given with hardcore so fault can't be laid on that portion of the disc. Where I do find fault is that there doesn't seem to be an honest need for three vocalists... maybe they were just trying to separate themselves from the hordes of hardcore bands by adding some more power behind the mic but they're all indistinguishable individually. While they don't all stick out vocally coming through your speakers, it's not exactly bad because the style used by all three just fits very well with the music contained on 'We Are The Threat'.

Speaking of the music it's hard to ignore the guitar work on this album, its breakdown heavy yeah and, its also all over the place stylistically speaking. Starting with your standard down tuned rolling through songs like opener "Where's Your Faith Now". Moving into territory where the brakes are applied and the guitar is allowed some lead time like in "We Are The Threat", throwing in some maiden-esque riffage (though not tripled up in the same way obviously). The traditional gang shouted vocals on hardcore albums that have become all too welcome at times of heightened intensity on any song have become something different for XDeathstarX. For the most part they throw in the same gang shouted vocals we're used to but on songs like "The Great Opiate" they open it up to singing back those gang vocals.

For the most part 'We Are The Threat' stands on the heels of many great bands that have come before them, but XDeathstarX seems to be taking it to a new level. A level of heaviness, while remaining melodically inclined and spiritually connected, as the majority of the lyrical content is intent on glorifying God and urging those who aren't connected to join in religion. While we don't really need more bands like this, at times like in the songs "The Great Opiate" and "We Are The Threat" one has to admit that XDeathstarX have created something rather catchy and are devout in their beliefs.

Bottom line, these guys are doing something we've heard already but they are tightening up the traditional sound and giving tough guys a run for their money. Solid album, rehashed for the most part with other bands' innovations but still very solid for hardcore.

Score: 6.5/10