Last of The BelieversThis band is known for featuring members from well-known hardcore groups such as Rise Against, Ignite and Reach The Sky as well as lesser known Spark Of Life. With that obligatory statement out of the way...does a band compromised of members who have seemingly only worked with gold, in regards to past bands, necessarily equate to another golden slab of music? Of course not, however, Last Of The Believers seem to be one of the few bands who may be able to shake off the; 'featuring current/ex members of...' tag. This five track CD is a varied, yet cohesive disc of melodic hardcore that will bring old fans of their other bands along for the ride as well as attract new blood to the fold.
The more melodic moments of Rise Against's career are apparent in LOTB's sound as well as Reach The Sky and Ignite's newer material. This is not a knock, but is to be expected. Each members other bands are a part of what each bring to the songwriting table. Their own personal history. In this specific case, each individual component interacts nicely with each other creating one of the better melodic hardcore releases of recent memory.
Stand-out track "Throwing Matches" is the most melodic of the EP and features less coarse vocals from guitarist Chris Chasse in the lead. This song could easily be on every radio station and be the summer hit of 2008 if this band were signed to a major label. "You Get What You Get" is another of the more melodic tracks that most so-called melodic hardcore bands wish they could pull-off. "Workhorse" features guest vocals from Terror's Dave Peters and follows a more traditional hardcore roadmap in vein of the older Crime In Stereo releases. The opening and closing tracks, "Dissent" and "Fists Up" respectively, also delve farther into more aggressive-style hardcore as opposed to the melodies dominant in some of the other tracks. "Dissent" beckons for a circle pit while not totally abandoning the melody while "Fists Up" throws you into a gang vocal for its chorus in between fierce spitting lyrics from Steve Jennings.
This EP won't break any new ground, but these hardcore vets know how to take the successful aspects of their other more famous bands and blend them into a fresh hardcore cocktail. Some bands make gang vocals, sing-alongs, guest vocals and melody sound either campy or downright nauseating in their attempt at a proven genre, however, LOTB integrate excellent songwriting with their proven sound. If this band can stay true to their past while injecting their new band with their combined cohesiveness...I will certainly look forward to each one of their future releases.
Rating: 5/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: "Throwing Matches", "Dissent" & "Workhorse"
Synopsis: I honestly bought this CD strictly based on the members resumes which is something I normally don't do. When those members come from some of my favorite bands, I will make an exception though. In this case, I am extremely stoked to add this CD to my collection and still listen to it nearly everyday, countless weeks after I picked it up. Do yourselves a favor and check this band out!