Beat the Bastards

Still thriving on the same venomous they helped create 15 years before, come off as the angry old grandfathers of . After years of influencing other bands, it is almost refreshing to see them still making stronger music than many of the bands that have come and gone in their lifetime. Tracks like have the same chugging riffs and gruff vocals of old, but inject a heavy production style reminiscent of or . In fact, those are two accurate comparisons for anyone unfamiliar with ; they have the same biting irony and unhappy attitude that those two groups are known for. The major difference is that are definitely more straightforward and hateful, something that does not always work for them. The music is always game for that sort of lyrics, but through the album it becomes apparent that they could use a sense of humor. By the time songs like roll around, the album becomes more about the sound of the music and the lyrics become less of an issue. But despite the problems with the lyrics, this is otherwise a very entertaining and angry album that shows a 15-year-old group displaying talent and energy far beyond most of its younger peers. ~ Bradley Torreano