The Victory Records Tri-fecta

fourletterlie With three....yep, count 'em, three releases hitting the same day from Victory Records, what could be better? Well......almost anything.

First up is Four Letter Lie. Hailing from somewhere in the Midwest (I didn't really want to bother finding out where after listening to them), they proclaim to have made a name for themselves. Having made their way into the realms of both the Taste of Chaos tour, as well as the almighty Warped Tour, it would seem that this 5-piece emo/screamo outfit would hold plenty of promise. What you find, upon spinning "Let Your Body Take Over", however, is a mix of absolutely everything that is popular and trendy on your local "alternative" radio station. Their bio claims roots in Underoath, Atreyu, Silverstein, and Taking Back Sunday, to name a few. While I'm not a big fan of any of those bands, save perhaps Underoath, I'd venture a guess that if any fan of any of the aforementioned bands heard a claim like that, then listened to this cd, they'd probably break something. This is so predictably aweful, there's little redeemable value to find anywhere on the 40 minute full-length. Hot Topic would be proud, few others would though.

Artist: Four Letter Lie
Album: Let Your Body Take Over
Tracks: 12
Label: Victory Records
Reviewed by: Jeff Krause

endwell Next up is "Homeland Insecurity", from Endwell. A bit more edgy, Endwell seems to want to capitalize on breaking your face, then pulling back to give you a bit of the melodic, just before breaking you in two once again. The good thing here, however, is that they rest more in the hardcore element than they do the hardcore/emo/hardcore transitions. While not necessarily my cup of hardcore goodness, Endwell is at least passionate about the music they make, and they do so in a way that, while probably easier to listen to for those with more of a non-critical ear, isn't to heavy on cliche'.

Artist: Endwell
Album: Homeland Insecurity
Tracks: 12
Label: Victory Records
Reviewed by: Jeff Krause

Last in our line for our Victory Records slamfest is "The Failure In Drowning", the last, and perhaps best, offering from Scars Of Tomorrow. "The Failure In Drowning" is brutal from beginning to end, and while I've always thought vocalist Mike Milford sounded more like a Dwid (Integrity) wanna-be, the album is still decent, if decidedly metalcore. Some of the guys from Scars went on to for The Hollowed, which, truth be told is more polished sounding, and more solid, than most of SoT's material. Still, for those who were fans of Scars of Tomorrow, this is a decent sendoff to a band who garnered a good following while they had their run.