Artist: Society's Finest
Title: And I, the Drunkards
Hand of Hope Records
12 Tracks, 41 Minutes

Oh look, another metalcore release...but this one is actually pretty decent.  Society's Finest made a name in 2000 with their first big release on Solid State records.  The band shared a similar style to many other loud bands of the time with deep screams, driving rhythms, chugging guitars, and dark lyrical themes about stabbing and hearts and stuff. When I first heard them awhile back, I thought they were Zao, so maybe its not surprising that after a short time, the band took a break as their lead singer took off to do some work with Zao (just a tiny sideline in that band's incredibly complicated story). 

They reunited a little while later for their 2004 release "Love, Murder, and a Three Letter Word".  I never listened to it, so I don't know how this compares.

NYC lets you know this band is an experienced contendor, blistering at the seems with talent on all fronts.  The title track gives a refreshing breather with some singing before leading to my album favorite "Cutter, Oh Cutter."  The song is loud, then lets up for a dual vocal segment towards the end, followed by some last screams.  "One More Kiss" has a nice metal interlude, while "Holland" gives the listener a breather with an instrumental ending before igniting again with "Sunday Prayer".  The second half of the album kind of blended into one, but there was one bright spot...

The lyrics and packaging on the album all loosely address struggles with addictions, lust, and coping with our failures.  This is maybe a taboo topic, but its addressed pretty powerfully and realistically.  There are despair and frustration and hypocrisy in the albums opening, but hope and distance as the lyricist leaves behind that which imprisoned heart and mind with the closing song "Deadlight Strangers". 

This is my final goodbye
I don't need you around
I've finally seen how there is more
Than you on the other side
I won't look back
I won't wait for you
Our time is over
Don't try to come back again

My beef with this, as with most other metal/hardcore albums, is that it is so unrelenting.  After awhile, my ears just tire of the double bass pedal, drop X chugs, and throaty growls.  If that's your thing, this is a very strong release.