Frontline Soldiers were a NYC Oi! band that began in 2000. This 7" is a recording from a 2004 session, which preceded their break up. It was dropped in 2011 after hibernating in the United Riot Records vault. FLS have a tough, low end Oi! sound that stomps the trademark of NYC on the ears. The production is solid. Good bass presence as is essential in a good Oi! sound. The mix is tight and brings all the levels together to be quite a force. It's a tough, gritty sound. It truly holds a US Oi! sound.
"Warrior Rising" especially incorporates a hardcore sound. The band tends to speed it up more often than not. Fast paced oi is invigorating and refreshing. The slow paced paced bands in constant homage to late 80s US oi tend to bore me I think that this is where the NYC really comes out. You can't be a skin there without loving punk and hardcore. And all this said - as i work to do a FFO analogy....nothing really fits perfectly. So i would say while a band can get an "Oi!" moniker where most would write off as generic; FLS really has a great, unique sound.
5 songs on this puppy and they are great ones. "American Boot Squad" starts it off and is the stand out track. Aggressive feel with a guitar part that drives it and grabs the listener. Strong musicianship all around. Fresh sound with tough power to a great production. Pick it up. Available on grey/red splatter vinyl. And again, JM Designs kills it with traditional American images.
FFO: Run Like Hell, Counterattack, FatSkins, The Traditionals. ...(Obviously)the NYC bands: First Strike, Battle Cry, Oxblood
http://www.unitedriotrecords.bigcartel.com/ or http://www.unitedriotrecords.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment