Continents

Hardcore is a hype word these days, with any band containing a marginal influence claiming allegiance. But don't let Victory Records' marketing of Continents' Idle Hands fool you; they are not a hardcore band. This miscategorization is surprising considering Victory counts Integrity, Hatebreed and Buried Alive among their alumni. But this is the music business and bands must be marketed to sell and in Continents's case, Victory made a smart choice. This style of pseudo-hardcore/metalcore is popular and Continents do it right. The frequent breakdowns are pushed along by spirited riffs to bob your head along to. Although the cheesy lyrics and forced singing, in equally forced choruses, leave something to be desired, at least the music is energetic. Both Victory and the band better hope they don't take the path of similar acts like Emmure and For The Fallen Dreams, who went severely downhill after their first offerings. Only time will tell how this fledgling Welsh band will age.