ALLEGIANCE „Overlooked”

Music: Hardcore
Country: USA
Website: http://www.allegiancesf.com
Rivalry Records – http://www.rivalryrecords.com
Duration: 22.26
Cool Songs: Found My Niche, On the Line, Just Let Go, No Dice

Having just recovered from the most impressive debut album from Canada’s Go It Alone, up and coming hardcore label Rivalry Records follow it up with an even more confronting slice of metallic bludgeoning in the form of San Francisco’s ‘Allegiance’. ‘Overlooked’ is the name of this new 12 track affair and it fairly well blazes a trail right through your skull in very quick time. All you need is 23 minutes tops. Press Repeat!

The most impressive aspect of Allegiance’s take on the hardcore sound is the sheer intensity and aggression with which they attack their instruments. Recalling the absolute best of frenetic, fast paced, angry New York flavoured hardcore (The Cro-Mags instantly come to mind), Allegiance leave no doubt as to their intentions. This is all about passion and energy. No fucking compromise ensured. It tears the joint to pieces.

Clearly, Allegiance do not pretend to be any sort of ground breaking hardcore act – there is nothing here that hasn’t been conceived before – the point is they have a message (a straight-edge one of course!) and a belief in this form of music as a way of getting their message across. At times, the speed of this band reminds me a lot of what ‘Terror’ currently puts out there, but unlike Terror (most of it anyway), Allegiance keep thing slightly varied by incorporating some killer mid-tempo grooves within their song structure. I wouldn’t call them ‘mosh’ sections, more like an on the beat rhythmical element that gives the band added heaviness, power and impact.

Most notable about the overall sound of ‘Overlooked’ is the Zac Ohren production. I love my traditional hardcore sound, but when a band like Allegiance appears with an overtly ‘metallic’ edge in their riffs, I’m an instant fan boy. Ohren has ensured that ‘Overlooked’ crushes in the guitar department, providing a thick heavy ‘thrash’ like feel to their overall presentation. Guitar duo Duane Harris and Ross Trenary must be stoked with the treatment they’ve been afforded. Similarly, the rhythm section of RJ Phillips and Isaac Frantini keep the metronome on 160bpm throughout, ensuring the pacing of this album rarely drops out of overdrive. And then there’s frontman John Stark. This man might sound fairly standard in the overall scheme of hardcore vocalists, but compared to may of his peers, Stark actually sounds authentic in his rage and the bitterness with which he delivers his patently honest diatribes cuts deep.

‘Overlooked’ simply smokes. It’s deeply rooted in the traditional hardcore ethic, but whereas many of the bands that play a similar style tend to lack some sort of identity, ‘Allegiance’ are far more memorable. Bottom line: Their energy is completely infectious and their song writing far more interesting and memorable than most. The outstanding production also adds an element of freshness to their style. Yep, the sweat literally drips off this one folks. It rips. Another killer release from Rivalry – Fans of hard metallic edged hardcore with groove and memorable riffs should invest immediately.

note: 8.2/10

Tracklist

1000 Words
Found My Niche
So Move On
Because of You
Never said a Word
Exhale
Wake me When its Over
On the Line
Just Let Go
Don’t Tell Me
Overlooked
Why Am I This Way