Alex DiVincenzo
06/07/08, 07:23 AM
Steel Nation - Soul Swallower
Record Label: Double or Nothing
Release Date: May 24, 2007
"We came to wreck everything and ruin your life. God sent us."
The above quote, sampled from the 1992 action flick Romper Stomper, begins Steel Nation's Soul Swallower. The album is billed as the quartet's debut full-length, though it's only seventeen minutes in length. Thankfully, these Pennsylvania hard-hitters make the short time count, delivering seven furious tunes.
The band draws influence from 90's hardcore while also infusing touches of modern metallic hardcore, resulting in a great sound that includes heavy guitars, fast-paced verses, double-bass breakdowns, and gang vocals. Vocalist Patrick Glen (who recently left the group) sometimes gets lost in the mix, but overall his voice fits in well with the instrumentals. The lyrics are generally about humanity's wrongs and the downfall of civilization; they also touch on religion: "Would you still believe if the book was never written?" Glen screams in "Hate of the World," the closing track, right before a huge breakdown closes out the CD.
There's nothing bad to say about Soul Swallower, although ultimately there isn't much that stands out. Still, any fans of angry hardcore from the 90's on should check Steel Nation out.
Ringworm, Strife, Integrity, Pulling Teeth, Blacklisted, Shipwreck
myspace.com/thesteelnation (http://www.myspace.com/thesteelnation)
Record Label: Double or Nothing
Release Date: May 24, 2007
"We came to wreck everything and ruin your life. God sent us."
The above quote, sampled from the 1992 action flick Romper Stomper, begins Steel Nation's Soul Swallower. The album is billed as the quartet's debut full-length, though it's only seventeen minutes in length. Thankfully, these Pennsylvania hard-hitters make the short time count, delivering seven furious tunes.
The band draws influence from 90's hardcore while also infusing touches of modern metallic hardcore, resulting in a great sound that includes heavy guitars, fast-paced verses, double-bass breakdowns, and gang vocals. Vocalist Patrick Glen (who recently left the group) sometimes gets lost in the mix, but overall his voice fits in well with the instrumentals. The lyrics are generally about humanity's wrongs and the downfall of civilization; they also touch on religion: "Would you still believe if the book was never written?" Glen screams in "Hate of the World," the closing track, right before a huge breakdown closes out the CD.
There's nothing bad to say about Soul Swallower, although ultimately there isn't much that stands out. Still, any fans of angry hardcore from the 90's on should check Steel Nation out.
Ringworm, Strife, Integrity, Pulling Teeth, Blacklisted, Shipwreck
myspace.com/thesteelnation (http://www.myspace.com/thesteelnation)