xDEATHSTARx-The Triumph

Facedown
2008

This disc was originally released back in 2004 on Life Sentence Records, the album has been re-mixed, re-mastered and comes with all new artwork. This was the bands sophomore effort. It may not be new material, but straight-edge hardcore band xDeathstarx know how to rip into their songs. This is fairly standard hard core with a definite nod to a traditional approach. There are also enough thrash parts in it to appeal to metal fans as well. This band succeeds in being in your face and they have a strong grasp on creating a maintaining heavy rhythms and beats. Much of the music has been done before many times, but these guys do it well and with some conviction. The music is basic and oftentimes that works. Still there were a few songs where it was so simple that I was reminded of Billy Milano's various bands and that it made it difficult to take those songs seriously. These guys certainly want to be taken seriously. The production is inconsistent and some songs are sharp and others find the drums and guitars sounding muddy.
The band has several vocalists contributing here. I actually wasn't aware of that fact until I looked at the credits because it's difficult to tell the difference between the singers. So I am not sure if having multiple vocalists is a benefit if they sound so similar. The band's talent is obvious, but it's hard to fully appreciate it completely because this style has been done to death. Diehard fans of this style will like it and more casual fans may not be as impressed.

www.myspace.com/xdeathstarx