Massachusetts has been a bastion for hardcore throughout the years, and 2009 isn't any different. Outrage bring forth their debut full-length, Broken, which follows up the Savior EP they released late last year. Outrage draws heavily from an era of hardcore that I both love and know well: the mid-90's. Therefore, I am predisposed - subconsciously or consciously I do not know - to enjoying what Outrage has to offer.
Opening with the title-track, I am immediately infatuated with the music and the coarse vocal delivery. It's as though the best of Unbroken, Earth Crisis, and 108 have been thrown together into one band. What I enjoy the most about the opening track is the tone of the bass; the fact that it is so prevalent in the mix absolutely makes my heart swell.
Outrage continue to flirt with my heart throughout Broken. The tone of Dan Desmond and Dean Forsythe's guitars harkens back to classic releases on the Victory, New Age, and Equal Vision labels. The rhythm section is solid as well. As previously mentioned, the bass of Harry Harvey is thick and prevalent throughout the album. Drummer Tyler DiPaola mixes it up with standard fair drumming, the occasional double bass, and plenty of cymbal crashes in the breakdowns - though not over-the-top by any means.
The band rips through plenty of heavy metallic hardcore cuts throughout Broken. Occasionally they find ways of incorporating other influences. "Ruined" boasts some off-timed Converge-esque guitar interplay. "Writer's Block" is a meandering song that is inspired by the post-hardcore world with harmonized riffs and the occasionally interweaving guitars; it's got a slight Modern Life is War vibe going on as well.
But for the most part Outrage sticks to straight forward hardcore. "Winter Nights and Desperate Times" boasts chugging guitars and meaty breakdowns. "Waves" brought to mind One King Down and it closes out with a destructive breakdown.
Lyrically, vocalist Sean O'Brien tackles a lot of personal topics, including failed relationships, the trials and tribulations of being a youth, homelessness, and suicide. The latter of which is tackled to perfection in the slow moving and emotionally charged anti-suicide song "Veins."
Broken is exactly what I'm looking for in 2009, even if it sounds like it was produced fifteen years prior. I don't think I'll ever outgrow the 90's sound when it comes to hardcore, and I am glad that there are bands like Outrage who feel the same way. If you fancy the sound of the 90's hardcore world, then Broken is a must-buy.
