GO IT ALONE „The Only Blood Between Us”

Country: USA
Website: http://www.rivalryrecords.com
Duration: 36.54


Cool Songs: Flatline, Nothing Gold, Water Finds It's Own Level, Cold Winter
A Constant Refrain

There’s one really good reason why the existence of this debut album from Vancouver’s Go It Alone is nothing short of a triumph. You see, in early 2004 drummer Lucas McFadden did everything but leave this mortal world when he plummeted 500 feet off a cliff – coming through a broken back, neck, arm, ribcage, punctured lung, bruised heart, brain and temporary paralysis, a year later the guy sits astride the stool and pounds the skins for ‘The Only Blood Between Us’. Talk about not giving up in the face of adversity. That’s the fucking Hardcore ethic folks. These guys have lived it. And you can hear it.

There has been quite a stir in the Canadian hardcore scene of late – particularly in Vancouver. Recent releases by ‘Comeback Kid’ and ‘Blue Monday’ have only served to highlight what is turning out to be a vibrant scene. ‘Go It Alone’ are perhaps the best of the bunch. Having released the 7 inch ‘Vancouver Gold’ on Straight On Records, GIA have now been snapped up by Rivalry Records for this debut full length.

There’s certainly nothing new about GIA’s take on the Hardcore sound, in fact it is decidedly rooted in the old-school vibe. However, it’s how they take that framework and built upon it with just a splash of creativity in the guitar parts and overall pacing of their compositions. Still, as much as GIA attempt to infuse their own personality into what is essentially a traditional HC sound, their overall emotional impact reminds a lot of Washington’s ‘Battery’. There is real ‘Ken Olden’ feel about the riffs laid down on this disc. Furthermore, the mid to fast paced tempo establishes a similar ‘Battery/Better Than a Thousand’ groove. Hell, vocalist Mark Palm even douses us with his best Brian McTernan (one time Battery vocalist) impression – a uniquely dry rasp that captures a passion and lyrical conviction worth bottling. His approach gives GIA’s music a wicked dynamic and a decidedly up lifting, positive feel. No doubt, this is energetic HC, but with Palm’s impassioned pleas, a touch of melody and a slightly melancholic feel at times, ‘The Only Blood…’ does present itself as something other than marching to generic formula.

As exponents of melodic hardcore with passion and an entertaining conviction, Go It Alone is setting their own standard. Sure, stylistically it’s nothing new; it’s just very well done and highly enjoyable. Approach with that mind set and you to will find GIA’s ‘The Only Blood…’ well worth the admission price.

note: 7.5/10

Tracklist

Cold Winter
A Constant Refrain
Evelyn
The Only Blood Between Us
Nothing Gold
Flatline
Water Finds It's Own Level
Shallow Breathing
Faith And Fiction
Nightwatch
Inheritance
Nobody But You