I don't really know much of anything about Reno, Nevada other than it's like a smaller, less fun version of Las Vegas. The only other things that I have learned about Reno have come at the hands of Reno 911, even though the show isn't actually filmed there. And while I find that show to be quite entertaining, I doubt the supposed interactions that Lieutenant Dangle and his team have with the Reno inhabitants to be an accurate representation of what Reno is truly like. So what's this have to do with anything? See it Through are from Reno. But unlike the many criminals depicted on Reno 911, these kids like to keep their noses clean by having fun while playing hardcore shows.
See it Through play fast-paced melodic hardcore that is rooted in the early Revelation Records catalog, but also draws from the D.C. scene of Dag Nasty and even Embrace. Breakthrough, their debut full-length, opens with "The Steps We Take." The song is a dynamic melodic hardcore tune with a good sequence of styles executed throughout: fast-paced two-step parts, build-ups/crescendos, gang vocals, and breakdowns.
"Still Down" follows with a more focused approach - straight up fast hardcore with a melodic twist, not unlike Verse or Champion. "Control" demonstrates the bands diversity and skills as songwriters. In addition to continuing their aural assault of chugging guitars, the band ease much slower tempo changes and makes use of the progressive-hardcore sound being utilized by Modern Life is War as of late. "I Still Believe" returns to the form See it Through delivered on the first cut.
Your typical hardcore fan may think of the diversity expressed so far in regards to Breakthrough as extensive. Well, wait until they hear "Hold this Tight." See it Through take to the acoustic guitar for this track. Nothing more than an acoustic and vocalist C.J. Blair's coarse yells. About two-thirds of the way through, handclaps enter into the equation. You may think this is going to sound atrocious, but it doesn't. It all comes together as sincere and is a nice change of pace for a hardcore record.
The remainder of the album is a mixture of the sounds and styles demonstrated throughout Breakthrough up to this point. Some of the songs are more appealing than others, while some seem to be kind of run of the mill at times. But, if melodic hardcore is your thing, then you'll continue to enjoy what See it Through has to deliver.
Breakthrough is a pretty good release coming from this new blood. See it Through may be young, but they definitely show a knack for writing solid melodic hardcore, and at the same time are not afraid to venture outside of the typical bounds of the genre. Be on the lookout for this band in the future, I expect them to only get better with each release.
