The New York hardcore scene is as volatile as it is colorful, with ups and downs just like Dorney Park. What I really love about the scene is that you have so much talent in such similar zip codes, there just has to be some needles in that haystack. Enter BLEED FOR ME. I thought that this was gonna be one of those rap/hate/emo core bands, but alas, wrong again. I think it was the listing in the liner notes of the word "sampler" that threw me. I'm thinking it's going to be some kind of nu-metal garbage, when actually these guys stand poised to take over the world. I was surprised to hear the guitars tuned in standard pitches, using standard string gauge (as opposed to boat anchor cable so's they can tune into frequencies that only dogs and Fred Durst can hear).

These tunes rock with some good old thrash type guitar sounds, complete with crushing riffs, sizzling lead work, and drums that could find a job making the dead rise. Jay's vocals could peel the paint off of walls, or help clean that coffee pot that has been on all day, shouted, not stirred. This thing is fat and mean. The more I listen, the harder it hits. The production is clear, the heady use of cymbals separates them from many other HC-styled bands. There are even a few solos here for the purists. Altogether here we have 10 songs of brutal destruction running through your brain 'till it hurts. Tracks like the TOOLesque instrumental "My Thoughts Light Fires in Your Cities" make you think, "Is this just an average hardcore band?" The answer is a resounding NO! Parts of "Composition" remind me of German thrash, part hardcore, part power-prog. Shit, who cares. It's awesome. Proof positive that there is great music left out there to be created, and enjoyed. Buy it, you'll like it. They have got a few MP3s on their site. Click the link below and check 'em out.

- Murtaugh

OFFICIAL SITE: www.bleedforme.com

RELATED ITEMS: No related articles at this time.