A lot has been made lately of the throwback sounds that are ultra popular in hardcore these days. It seems that if you're not biting from the likes of Integrity, then you're probably ripping of Lifetime. Or, if neither of those are your cup of tea, you'll stealing a page from the early Revelation bands like Burn. Well, keeping with that trend of borrowing from the past - because let's admit it, in hardcore pretty much everything has been done before and if you can't beat 'em, steal a riff! - Wisdom in Chains take a cue from the likes of the New York hardcore meets oi page popularized in the U.S. by the likes of Agnostic Front.
Class War is the band's third full-length and debut for Eulogy Recordings, but for many it will be their first introduction to Wisdom in Chains. (The band's first full-length was recorded a few years back with pretty much an entirely different lineup, and their sophomore release, Die Young, was issued on the now defunct Spook City Records, but was recently re-released by Eulogy.) "The Sound of the End" begins the album, and it is a heck of a way to do so. Musically, its packed with a heavy metallic edge; lyrically, it is a call to arms, "This is the sound of the end / it's like a crushing destruction / smashing everything in sight / and it's coming for you."
Wisdom in Chains blast through Class War with punishing track after punishing track. "Early Grave" apes of 90's metallic hardcore, guitar solo included, but with some sweet "whooooa"s giving it a slight punk rock vibe. "I Don't Care" ventures down the hardcore punk alley trailblazed by Blood for Blood while "Cap City" is a rip-roaring rock-influenced punk anthem about the hardships of life on the road. "This is Mine" is a sub-thirty-second blast of old school styled hardcore. "My Promise" follows and is the longest track at over four minutes. The song is a little drawn out, seems as though it could've been cut short by a minute.
Things pick back up with "Living in a Fog," a fast-paced hardcore cut with a nice breakdown to close things out. "Life isn't Fair" reaches into the personal vault. Vocalist Mad Joe speaks out about a teacher who mocked his learning disability, telling him that his life was pretty much over. But kids will be kids, and sometimes you provoke the wrong one
payback happens buddy. "No Smiles in the Ghetto" has Wisdom in Chains mixing it up with a bit more of their oi influences that were more prevalent on their previous releases. Mad Joe changes up his vocal style with a bit more straightforward delivery absent of yells. It actually works quite well for him and partners with the music well I wish they had deviated to this sound a bit more on the release.
"The Land of Kings" is an excellent sing-along cut. The chorus is especially catchy, even if you're not a Pennsylvania native. The last two cuts demonstrate the dual-personalities of Wisdom in Chains. "London Gospel" again highlights the band's oi influences while "Violent Assault" acts as an homage to the members' previous bands with a Mushmouth/Out to Win personality.
Class War definitely sets itself apart from the vast majority of the hardcore records released this year. It's unique take on hardcore gives it a sense of originality, even if they are borrowing from the past. And while the diversity of Class War is what is most appealing, it also makes the album feel a bit schizophrenic at points. Nevertheless, Wisdom in Chains is a band worthy of praise for doing something a little different, something that is all too rare in hardcore these days.
