Terror – The Damned, The Shamed
Century Media (6/10/08)
Hardcore / Metalcore
There’s nothing new or particularly inventive about Terror’s latest skull-crushing offering, The Damned, The Shamed, and really, you wouldn’t want it any other way. The band offers up a thunderous dose of straight-ahead hardcore mayhem, with thirteen tracks clocking in at just over a half-hour of old-school, anger-fueled brutality, full of the trademark hardcore staples which may not break any new ground, but will combine for one hell of an album.
Chunky rhythm, riffs galore, down-tuned guitars, breakdowns, the familiar growled vocals… you name it, the band does it with the aggression and volume turned up to 10.
And they’re is able to connect all of the pieces phenomenally. Check out the intense groove on “Betrayer”—hands-down the best Terror has to offer this time out. The band even throws in a slower bridge that just makes the song seem to expand well beyond its two-and-a-half minutes.
Also of note: “What I Despise” (frantic drumming galore and some inspired riffing), “Rise of the Poisoned Youth” (with some terrific bass work) and “March to Redemption” (great lyrics and vocals, and probably the best guitar work on the entire album). There really aren’t any weak points on this album, although the first half starts to blend together a little. The band seemed willing to switch it up more frequently on the latter half of the disc (check out the opening to “Lost Our Minds” or the distortion on “Still Believe?”) . Of course, track after track of roughly two-minute songs can’t really get too boring.
If you love hardcore, this album is for you. It’s a no-frills blow to the face that most newer bands of the genre seem to lack.
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