01. Crypt
02. Intro
03. Shit Happens
04. Strength&Honor
05. Savage
06. "This Is What You Get..."
07. Reaper
08. Sucka Free
09. Own The Show
10. Outro
When a new band rolls around and has current and ex-members of First Blood, Embrace The End, Execution Style, Allegiance, In Memoriam, Set Your Goals, and Breaker Breaker, you know shit's going to be solid. Of the aforementioned bands, Alcatraz's sound resembles First Blood the most while still retaining the talent of the rest listed.
To be honest this style of hardcore isn't my forte, but Alcatraz are able to stick out by playing very tightly and mixing up the tempos whereas most bands I hear of this style just play slow and "bring the mosh." Alcatraz has faster punk beats without relying on the breakdown. The beginning of "Strength&Honor" displays this well. The ending of “Strength&Honor†erupts with trade off vocals between Justin Coote and "gang vocals." Having two guitar players comes in handy at the end of this song when they switch back and forth between the speakers. During this part lyrics are sung, "Strength and honor/Runs through these veins/I will stand/I will remain/Take my hand."
Six of the songs have a Madball/Hoods feel to them without sounding too much like either whatsoever. The other four are instrumentals that sound like hip hop beats made in the Frooty Loops program. Like California's other heavy band, Make Move, the combination of these two styles of music helps Alcatraz stick out among the countless number of hardcore bands being created in 2005.
Even if you don't normally listen to hardcore of this subgenre it's worth checking out Alcatraz as they don't generically suck by any means.
Although the band sold a few of these demos at shows, Rock Vegas Records is doing a professional pressing of the demo that will be released in early October.
Recording Quality: 3
Format: CD
MP3s | Official site
Order from: http://www.myspace.com/alcatraz
