Review Summary: This new record - shows that even though they're getting much older, they still haven't lost their fury and fire towards hardcore music... and yeah, they're still pissed, and always ready for war.
Honestly, what is there that hasn’t been said about these dudes? They have been consistently staying strong, full of energy and passion in what they do, for almost 30 YEARS. In the lead vocalist Lou Koller’s own words (I’m paraphrasing here): no break-up, no reunion, pretty much the same lineup since the last 20 years or so. That’s super impressive, very few bands are able to have the same members for such a long time (same thing for Rush, except them being MUCH, MUCH longer). I reckon that if the bandmates get along with each other really well, and not being just band mates, but really great friends in a band who respect, care and love each other unconditionally as one, have something to do with this. Here's to another 30 years!
Anyway, this new record: The Last Act Of Defiance, their 10th studio album, once again, shows that even though they’re getting much older, they still haven’t lost their fury and fire towards hardcore music... and yeah, they’re still pissed, and always ready for war. Their longtime producer and close friend, Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Mnemic, Dagoba) really captured their identity and sound for the last few records since Death To Tyrants, and I can rightfully agree so. If you’ve seen their live shows, you’d know that they’re pretty crazy (not as crazy as bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan though, but still full of energy). There are many songs on this new record that really reminded me of their 1995 breakout album Scratch The Surface, a lot, which is good, because I love that record as well, and in my opinion, one of their best. This new album, like many of their previous albums, has everything you love about SOIA: head-crushing guitar riffs thanks to guitarist Pete Koller, aggressive drumming thanks to drummer “one and only Armand Majidi’, thundering bass lines thanks to awesome bassist Craig Setari, and last but not least, unique, powerful and clearly pissed-off yet passionate vocals thanks to vocalist Lou Koller! Anyway, I just really love this record. I can guarantee that many fans of SOIA, or fans of hardcore in general, will also really love this record.
I’m going to go track-by-track review for this one, since this is my first ever review, and I also do not want to miss anything from this record, because every bit of it really grabs my attention enough to not ignore it. So let’s get into it!
Right off the bat, opener “Sound The Alarm" hits you in the face immediately, wastes no time to start the destruction. Straight to the point, never gives you time to take a breath, and urges you to crazily mosh in your room all in the time span of 1 minute and 48 seconds, and also really prepares us for a battle. It urges us to: "Stand up and fight, sound the alarm!" Will do indeed. *clenches fists*
The next track, “2061”, keeps us the pace that the previous track had, except this time, more powerful and head-crushing with slow tempo grooves in the verse sections. Honestly, I thought this song was less than 1 and a half minutes long, despite it being over 2 minutes, in which I also feel the same for many of the tracks of this album. Lyrically for this track, from what I read in an interview shortly before the album was released, is about how the government is planning to reveal the secrets of 9/11 50 years later (which is of course, the year 2061), which will not happen, because according to Lou, the ‘uncensored’ findings of the Kennedy assassination in 2000 did not reveal as planned before as it was deemed too sensitive, and therefore planning to delay it for another 20 years. So after 50 years, do you think they will reveal the secrets of 9/11? I doubt so as well. They are too self-indulgent of their wealth and power to care about bringing justice to the world. As SOIA simply puts it: “Justice won’t be served!"
I believe most of the fans of SOIA already heard the first track released from this album - “Road Less Traveled”. Yes, it’s one of those songs about how much they love hardcore, but this one feels genuine and more well-written and not as cheesy as some other hardcore bands do (not going to name names). Also, this marks the first time ever that the guitarist Pete wrote the whole song by himself, including the lyrics! Liking how now every band member has already contributed not only musically but also lyrically (the others include Craig - Busted, Armand and Lou - no description needed, do I?). I love the line: “Born to walk on the road less traveled!” Also, this is probably the first time, if not, one of the first times where a song about hardcore doesn’t have the word “hardcore” in the title. Clever! But nonetheless, a really fun song you can mosh to, with a ground-shaking bass section by Craig Ahead shortly before the second verse. I also really like how the last lyric of the song is taken from “My Life" from their debut 1989 album Blood, Sweat And No Tears - showing that they are still standing strong in their beliefs, and still being themselves. Very cool as well!
Now, if “Road Less Traveled" is SOIA telling you that even though we are ready for battle, we will still be standing strong in our beliefs and will not let anyone let us sway from them, then "Get Bronx" is where things "get serious" (what Bronx actually means in this song). Another straightforward, ready-for-the-battle songs, but this one sounds like it occurs shortly before the battle begins, where the soldiers are lining up in an organized manner, holding up their swords firmly and in good position: ”We gotta stand up and fight this oppression!" Oh, and "GET BRONX NOW!"
I imagine the actual battle scene emerging when I hear “Part Of History”. Things became more intense with the fast-paced drums in the first half of the song. Then comes “Losing War”. “How do you fight a losing war?”. Very powerful words indeed. Can actually apply not just politically like the situation in the Middle East, but also in daily social situations as well. This is probably the first song that I actually do not care that much for musically, although the lyrics are profound and deep, but not necessarily complex and poetic.
“Never Back Down" is another crowd-pleasing track I am sure, since there are many gang vocal parts where it requires the crowd to participate for the whole song. It is also a very direct and simple song - don’t ever back down by any oppression! Which is pretty much the core message of this entire album, I think.
“Facing The Abyss" begins with what seems like a choir singing for victory and hope in a slow pace with some light guitar chords played in the background, but then quickly picks up the pace shortly after, giving a vibe that "we’re getting somewhere finally". This song is comparably more melodic and punk than some of the other tracks, especially in the chorus. This is just the SOIA army warming up here, because the next song "Act Your Rage" immediately comes out at you like a roaring lion. Where another bigger battle begins. This to me means that: "be angry and fight for what is right!" I like how this almost exactly had the same meaning as Rage Against The Machine puts it: "Your anger is a gift!”. I might be wrong though, so if I am wrong about this statement, let me know.
Now, things get a little bit sinister as we get to “Disconnect Your Flesh”. It starts off with an evil vibe and seemingly head-bashing you already in the very first second, as Lou screams “DISCONNECT! YOUR FLESH!” The title really gives you an uneasy vibe already, let alone the song itself. Follow the story setting I imagined in my head earlier with the previous tracks, I imagine the final boss has woken up from the depths of hell, and is ultra pissed that the SOIA army has defeated pretty much his generals that were governing other empires around him. This song really makes me feel that this monster is crushing, stabbing and stomping on anyone in his way, particularly his servants and slaves, putting on his gear, and ordered his army to prepare to fight against the SOIA army. Anyway, one of my most favorite tracks on the album honestly, due to this evil and sinister vibe it’s giving me!
“Beltway Getaway" is another punk style song, I like how this song has a call-and-response thing, where Lou is the leader of an army talking, and the army is responding "BELTWAY!" and "GETAWAY!". Pretty awesome, too bad it’s too short, clocking at 2 seconds behind 2 minutes only. Now, this sounds like the army is aware that the final boss army is approaching them very soon, so Lou now commanded them to train even harder just so they are ready to fight the boss.
“Sidelined" is another someone finally waking up to all the lies and all the actions that were fed on him and were seemingly against him. Don’t quote me on that, but just my thoughts. However, I dare you to not head-bang to this song. Seriously.
This is where the story climax is building up to - all the civilians, including the ones that were previously governed by the evil generals of the boss, finally had the courage to stand up and support the SOIA army, confidently knowing that they can win the final battle, so that all the nations can be in peace again.
“Outgunned”, I don’t really have much to say about this song, except that I feel that this is the song for the final battle of the boss, which fits, due to its intense atmosphere, although not as intense as some of the earlier tracks of this record, still head-crushing. If it were, it would be perfect for me to symbolize this song as a final boss battle song, but I assume this is the one, since it is the second last track on the album.
So... we’ve finally reached the finale, which is “DNC" (Do Not Comply). A lyric video was released sometime ago, as you may know. This song has more of an Oi Punk feel, where the gang vocals do the Oi’s after chanting the title of the song in the chorus and in the beginning. I personally don’t really like bands chant the song title in acronym form, but it's just a matter of preference. The rest of the lyrics are pretty straightforward, again, but very true. But I felt that they could have done a little bit more than just chanting DNC in the chorus. And the Oi’s don’t fit really after that. Again, it's just in my opinion!
Obviously, the evil boss is defeated, and the SOIA army is in victory! All the civilians (including the ones from the other towns) are celebrating and cheering for them as they marched into the city where they came from - where the beginning of the song is settled. The DNC chants are the cheering from the civilians, the “I’ll always be a threat…” parts are the army and the civilians chanting together, and the verses are sung by Lou the leader, doing a speech. The final half portion of the song occurs in a big banquet setting, and… happily ever after? Hopefully? Hopefully!
Anyway, what a great way to close the album! One of my favorite closers in a SOIA album, along with "Maria White Trash" from Death To Tyrants.
Anyway, it’s really great seeing that bands like Sick Of It All are still around making awesome music, whilst still keeping us interested in them and inspired by their messages, even after nearly 30 years. They are truly hardcore legends, not just simply one of the pioneers of NYHC. Once again, this album showed that they’ve always been consistently stayed true to their roots and beliefs and stayed passionate for hardcore.
However, I do have a few complaints, minor complaints of the album - that the album feels too short. Like I said before in regards to one of the tracks, the tracks feel much shorter than they actually are, and they are over already before you knew it, which is awesome, but because of this, it feels like it ended too soon. They could have added a few more tracks in there in the middle somewhere, but fortunately, if you have the limited edition of the album, you would be able to have two more bonus tracks, "Stand Down" and "With All Disrespect" to cure your dissatisfaction. Those two songs are worth checking out as well, especially the latter, which should have been on the album, shame that they didn't.
Wow, didn’t expect my review to turn into a story that I somehow made while writing this, especially after the first half. Thought it would be your regular review you usually see online, but honestly, this album is so fun and awesome, that I could not help but to do so. I also had a lot of fun writing this, considering this is my very first review of an album!
Hope you all enjoyed reading it, this is my first review I ever written, so if you have any feedback (positive or negative) about the album and/or my review, please let me know! Don’t be afraid, and if you have to rage, just do so! Remember, “ACT YOUR RAGE!” No, but seriously, be honest, but be respectful!
