The city of Detroit has a bad reputation on the streets of, well, the entire United States. It's known as a dirty, crime-ridden city full of despair and wretched individuals. While I am sure there is some truth to this, it is likely nothing more than a generalization blown way out of proportion. Nevertheless, the city has spawned some fairly bitter musical acts, the latest output being Let it Die.
Stick to Your Guns opens with vocalist Jeff Sanchez declaring "in a world filled with so much hate / you've got to keep your head up high / don't be a victim to all this bullshit / you've got to stand strong and rise above it all." These lyrics pretty much set the tone for the entire album. Sanchez doesn't hold back his true feelings, always speaking his mind no matter who he will offend. He touches on everything from intra-scene turmoil, betrayal, and the degradation of society. However, this brutal honesty does leave the lyrics feeling a bit immature, relying a little bit too much on profanity.
Surprisingly, Let it Die was formed as a side project by members of metal band Black Dahlia Murder, though what you might have heard from BDM really bears no resemblance to Let it Die, who instead fall in line with metallic hardcore. On the track "Already Dead," guitarists John Deering and Chris Trestain lay down ultra heavy riffs that rival hardcore mainstays Sworn Enemy and Hatebreed. Partner these with Sanchez's frustration and you have a recipe for a great hardcore tune.
There is basic formula that Let it Die uses throughout the album, songs less than three minutes with affronting lyrics and at least one breakdown - see Until the End's Blood in the Ink, minus the whole straightedge agenda. Let it Die does find ways to break the monotony and keep things interesting. The track "Thick as Thieves" contains guest vocals from Jo Meller of The Alliance (Vendetta Records), who's rhymed lyrics partnered with grooving riffs give the song that NYHC flavor.
Let it Die are by no means reinventing the wheel of hardcore, but what they do, they do well. If you're not a fan of hardcore or metal music, it's fairly obvious this isn't anything that will tickle your fancy. But if you love Merauder or any of the newer acts inspired by them, you will enjoy Stick to Your Guns quite a bit.
