Shutdown

Tough-guy hardcore seems to have been declining in popularity over the course of the last few years, a natural progression that has seen hardcore exploring nosier, more metallic extremes and maturing from its more base inception; both trends that Victory has helped popularise, coincidentally. However, the style is still alive and well (despite rumours to the contrary), and Shutdown is as adept at its execution as it is reliant on its staples. Produced by the godfather of NYC hardcore, Roger Miret of Agnostic Front fame, Few and Far Between isn't interested in breaking any sort of new ground. Few... is a hardcore record that takes its influences from the likes of progenitors AF and Sick of It All, among other NYHC stalwarts and combines it with the metallic bite of more recent metalcore bands like Snapcase. Gang vocals, breakdowns, fast-paced hardcore riffing, vocals about the scene, betrayal, overcoming and such. It's not bad, in fact it's quite catchy and purists everywhere will rejoice, but some will no doubt feel that they've heard all this before, just a few too many times.