Struckdown finds the secret to time travel.

Artist: Struckdown
Album: Revolution
Label: Indianola Records
Tracks: 11

Soon after placing the new Struckdown album into my stereo I was suddenly thrown through time and space back to a time when hardcore was hard and had purpose.  My mind waded through the years to when the line between hardcore and old school punk was blurry and bands like Strongarm ruled the stages at festivals.  On Revolution, Struckdown stikes a chord with anyone from the old school.  With all that said, they are not at the same level as the mighty Strongarm.

It’s so comical because visiting their website, one’s first impression is that these kids might not be old enough to drive.  They look like your average, normal high school kids.  They’re not dressed in black shirts or scowling.  They look like a bunch of guys who just like to play old school music and truthfully don’t care about their image.  That is refreshing in these days of Hot Topic “individuality”.  This sentiment is reflected in the song, Action.  “I refuse to buy cool shoes, I refuse to get tattoos.  I refuse, I refuse if it means I’m labeled as you.”

Lyrically the album again harkens back to some of those beginning, straightforward, some would say, immature word choices of early Christian hardcore albums.  I find the change surprising but pleasant most of the time.  Lines like “ I’ve got a sick mouth, you’ll be my next victim” and “Drug free purity I pray purify me. Drug free I’ll always be.  Once life pure, one life clean,” will remind older listeners of bands who actually write about what they have seen in their peer groups or experienced themselves.  The album draws a line and tells us all just exactly where Struckdown stands. 

Musically, the strangest and perhaps coolest moment is the harmonica on the song, Purity.  The drums are understated and seemingly mixed at a lower level than the guitars.  The buzz saw guitars lead out the band and cut through the mix to get your adrenaline pumping. 

The bottom line is that if you’re into old school hardcore/old school punk like Strongarm, Officer Negative, or Headnoise, you’ll find plenty to like with Revolution.  The lyrics won’t win any Pulitzer prizes but fit the genre and dated sound of the material.  As for me, I’ve got to get my flux capacitor fixed so I can make it back to the future.