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Clear Convictions
Warning
2005, Strikefirst Records
Bring the Puerto Rican hardcore!
Strikefirst Records is a subsidiary of Facedown Records in California. Said label is owned by No Innocent Victim drummer Jason Dunn, and I can only presume that Clear Convictions came to his attention during one of NIV‘s trips down to south America, resulting in their signing and the north-American release of Warning. I suppose the title fits, and if this is truly a warning of what‘s coming out of Puerto Rico, fans of ‘90s tough-guy hardcore with floor-clearing breakdowns and plenty of chug and double bass might go swarming down south for their fix. Clear Convictions come correct with Terror-inspired ruckus that, yes, sounds pretty much the same from song to song, but there are highlights: ‘Crisis Within‘, ‘War Genesis‘, ‘Words‘ and - natch - ‘Tough Guy‘ stand out from the pack as pit-worthy for the true-blue crew. From the Dave Quiggle cover artwork (always a treat) to the Biohazard-style under-a-back-alley-streetlight photography to the back cover photo of a crew of Puerto Rican young guns in Los Angeles streetwear, this is for the kids who miss how Victory Records used to be.
Fast parts, slow parts, really slow parts, breakdowns. Need I say more?
- Mike Postma
[Clear Convictions] [Strikefirst]
Copyright ©2005