Death Before Dishonor

In the two years since Count Me In, Death Before Dishonor have evolved considerably, shedding their straight-up new school tough guy approach for a more dynamic fusion of varying punk and hardcore elements. While the group are still clearly at home on Bridge 9, Better Ways to Die incorporates a more melodic, raw-edged sing-along feel reminiscent of a thrash-infused Rancid. Generic breakdowns are few and far between and, with a couple of exceptions, they lean more towards Agnostic Front than the Acacia Strain. These stylistic shifts work to the band's advantage, allowing them to stand out from the pack more than ever before, which frankly wasn't much. While retaining a somewhat traditional feel, the group have clearly worked hard to write a record that draws influences from artists they grew up on and appreciate, as opposed to whatever is popular in the notoriously fickle modern heavy music scene. Consider this an effective bid for a place in the upper echelons of modern hardcore and the group's strongest effort to date.