CoC : Barcode - Showdown : Review

Barcode - _Showdown_
(Nuclear Blast, 2005)
by: Jackie Smit (7.5 out of 10)

It's becoming something of a rare breed these days: the properly executed hardcore album. For while a few maverick acts do help to keep the scene alive, the underwhelming and self-indulgent shadow of metalcore has unfortunately cast its shadow over a number of the genre's erstwhile rising stars; and I swear, if I've heard one Caliban clone, I've heard them all. Thankfully however, Nuclear Blast seem intent on doing their part for the cause, and having already delivered the last Agnostic Front cluster-bomb, we're now being treated to the fourth opus by their Danish equivalent. Straddling the line between recent Sick of it All and Agnostic Front material, _Showdown_ is about as bullshit-less as you're going to get. It hits hard and fast with a thumping production to match its masculine rants about life, friendship and pretty much every other topic that's a staple of your average hardcore record -- and notwithstanding a wincingly bad cover of Accept's "I'm a Rebel", the Danes definitely succeed in turning in a solid effort. There may not be much in the way of fresh ideas or innovation being brought to the table here, but hey -- these days hardcore isn't about rocking the boat anyway. Not musically speaking, at least.

Contact: http://www.barcodehardcore.dk

(article published 19/4/2005)

ALBUMS
1/9/2002	A Lineker	8	Barcode - Hardcore