Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Spudmonsters - "Stand Up For What You Believe" album

This takes me way back. Cleveland's Spudmonsters were a staple of the Midwestern hardcore/punk scene back in the late 80s and early 90s. Their sound combined speedy hardcore with elements of punk and thrash metal. "Stand Up" is their first new material in 5 years, and luckily, they've held their ground well. This is classic, old-school hardcore, with no apologies and no concessions.

"One Family" opens it all with a blur of bulldog shouts and thrash metal riffage. I'm reminded of Suicidal Tendencies a little. "Loyalty" also expresses the band's H/C philosophy well, as does the speedy "Tolerance". "It Follows" is positively anthemic, reminding me of Minor Threat with a simple melodic chorus. "Nothing Remains" is a tightly-wound attack that closes it all out. "Stand Up" proves that Spudmonsters still shred after more than 20 years. For anyone into classic hardcore, this is a must-hear. (Fast Break! Entertainment)

Spudmonsterspace

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