Sick of it All “The Last Act of Defiance” Album Review
Damnit, they’ve done it again. Our dudes in Sick of it All are set to release The Last Act of Defiance via Century Media Records at the end of the month. They debuted Road Less Traveled a few weeks ago, so if you haven’t previewed the album yet, it’s a great track to start with. I love, love, love, love this band. Some would say it makes me sort of biased to reviewing their album because I step into the record with high hopes and a soft spot for these New Yorkers. But you know what? It is what it is and I tend to stay honest whether I have a preconceived idea of a band or not, so I’m going to need you to trust me that I’m not just blowing smoke up their ass because…. this album fucking rules.
available 9.30.14
1. Sound the Alarm
2. 2061
3. Road Less Traveled
4. Get Bronx
5. Part of History
6. Losing War
7. Never Back Down
8. Facing the Abyss
9. Act Your Rage
10. Disconnect Your Flesh
11. Beltway Getaway
12. Sidelined
13. Outgunned
14. DNC
Starting with Sound the Alarm sets a nice tone for the record. It lets you know that they haven’t lost any spark or strayed far from their familiar sound. With the gang vocal chorus, quick riffs and strong hardcore drums, it’s definitely the Sick of it All that came into the scene 25 years ago, just with better quality recording! 2061 is an interesting one because I wasn’t sure what the number was relevant to, but it’s referring to the year 2061, and while they’re singing about what they think the world will be like in 47 years, the theme is still consistent in standing behind hardcore being about not judging others and solving the problems we have instead of making new ones. Am I even warm? Maybe I’ll ask Lou someday. Moving along.
The third track, Road Less Traveled, was the first song I heard from the album. It was the first track the band debuted and I fell pretty hard for it. While the debut track from a record isn’t typically my favorite, this one is sticking as one of my most loved on the entire album. I can’t get enough of that opening riff and it is yet another track that stays true to this band’s heart and soul. If Sick of it All could be described as a band in one word, I would choose integrity. They haven’t waned one bit from their roots and it’s one of the reasons they will forever be one of my favorite bands. See example below.
Following my favorite track comes Get Bronx, which is just as swell as the others! I’m just on a cloud of lovey dovey hardcore shit from this record because I can’t say anything bad about it. I guess if I had to say something negative, as I always try to take both sides of every album I review, it would be that the fact they haven’t changed their sound could be seen as a bad thing. I, however, do not think this is a bad thing. I don’t think a band has to change their sound to “progress” as many people will claim. Bands are allowed to progress and change sounds all they want, but not every band has this life goal to progress and blow your mind with every new record, some bands are just fucking playing music and they’re making the records they want to make whether they’re different or not. Not everything has to be a revelation. With that said, this is a really long paragraph about this track, and even after listening, I don’t know if I want to “get bronx” or not, I’m thinking it’s like, stand up for yourself and do something about shit. So yeah, more people should get bronx, I think.
I’m going to hop ahead to Never Back Down because the song title sounds like your typical hardcore anthem, and well… you’re right! However, this one is just extra damn catchy with the fast beat and gang vocals, so shut up and sing along. Facing the Abyss starts off pretty interesting. It reminds me of something from The Lost Boys (if you haven’t seen that movie, you need to GET OUT OF MY FACE), but then falls into a predictable Sick of it All track within 20 seconds… and that’s not a bad thing. I love SOIA so keep it coming!!!
I’m going to skip ahead to skip to the last track, DNC, because the band just debuted a lyric video for the track. It has a nice little Aussie style Oi! Oi! Oi! chant in this one. Everyone loves a classic! It’s a solid track, definitely one I can see them making a staple for a live show. You can check out the lyric video below and preview it for yourself. Be sure to get yourself a copy of The Last Act of Defiance now because you look like a ding dong. Oops, too late! You’re already a ding dong so just get the album okaythankyoubye.
www.sickofitall.com
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instagram.com/sickofitallnyc
twitter.com/SOIANY
About the Author
Denise Borders 39, Los Angeles. Denise founded PWV in 2008 and remains the primary manager and photographer/videographer. She is not secretly obsessed with Joey Cape.
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