Before we begin I'd like to officially admit that I have a problem. I have an obsession with the Nor Cal hardcore scene. So if this review seems a little biased, it really isn't my fault. Especially since the Bay Area and surrounding areas have the most promising scene in hardcore. The latest rising star to come out of the scene is These Days.
These Days formed in 2002 and released a demo the ensuing year. This allowed the band to score opening slots on some choice shows. After some lineup changes, the band re-entered the studio and recorded the tracks that make up this release. Though the release of the 7" was delayed, the band maintained focus and hit the road with musical cohorts Life Long Tragedy.
Side A of Death Sentence opens with "Hollow Point" and very quickly it's evident that the main driving force for the band is Ryan Needham's lyrics and vocal approach. Needham goes beyond his role as vocalist: he's a drill sergeant. Musically the closest comparison can be made to early metallic hardcore; the guitar solo on the opening track is reminiscent of how Aaron Melnick helped distinguish Integrity from their peers.
"Fight Back" kicks in with a combination of crunching guitars from the duo of Alex C. and RJ Phillips, and heavy hitting drum-work, which Needham recorded before These Days recruited a full-time drummer. Immediately Buried Alive's Death to Your Perfect World popped into my head. The bass playing of Brad Thomas is buried fairly deep in the mix, which is getting to be routine for hardcore releases. "Fight Back" tackles the topic of two-faced individuals that may cross your path, in the hardcore scene or general life situations, and closes with an excellent verse/chorus combination.
As we move on to Side B, "The Lion's Den" opens with the empowering lyrics, "There's too much pride in my heart / to ever give up on myself / I may be down but I'm not out / I will not end like this / the odds are stacked against me / but I won't ever fucking quit." The first time I heard these words I was invigorated with the strength to stand up to every person that ever told me no. While the lyrics are inspiring, I'm sure the intense music also played a part in evoking such feelings.
The album concludes with the straightedge anthem "Death Sentence." The track again contains tough guitar riffs that pay homage to the likes of Madball, but with a hint of metal influence that help them stand on their own. Again Needham punches in with his forceful delivery, barking orders at you as you stand nose to nose: "You're slowly throwing your whole life away / and I couldn't care less. / Sold yourself out for acceptance / and now your life's a fucking mess."
The only downfall with this release is its length. Four tracks clocking in around 12 minutes just leaves you wanting more. Then again I suppose that is a good marketing technique. The entity that is These Days has indeed arrived, and their intent is clear as Needham declares on "Death Sentence" that this is "a full on declaration of war."
