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CFR001 Ohio Hardcore vol. 1

Taken from Diatribe Inc. (http://www.diatribeinc.org)

This compilation showcases some of the best tracks from the best hardcore bands in Ohio, and quite possibly the country. All the bands are varied; from the super aggressive metallic hardcore jams to the traditional styled youth crew anthems. This album hits you from all sides.

Columbus’s Kingsblood and For the Proud perfectly encompasses the hard hitting capital city sound while bands like Crossface, Gladiator and Take No Prisoners tout the metallic edge of Cleveland style hardcore. No matter what your taste in hardcore is, you are sure to find at least a couple of bands you’ll enjoy on this release.

My personal favorite tracks on Ohio Hardcore is the two songs by ‘Americas Most Positive’ John Walsh who play fast, super positive songs with a heavy pop influence and Heads Held High, a band that is bringing back the spirit of bands like Gorilla Biscuits and Minor Threat.

I don’t normally review compilations, but I had to make an exception with this release as I was interested in how the burgeoning Crossface Records would fare with this massive project (they nailed it!) and because the state of Ohio, and it’s amazing hardcore bands, have a huge place in my heart. This needs to be in the collection of every serious hardcore fan.

CS

CFR002 Heads Held High - So Say We All

Taken from Diatribe Inc. (http://www.diatribeinc.org)

In the past several years, it seems that at least 85% of my reviews of a hardcore album include some bullshit disclaimer about how I don’t listen to hardcore all that much anymore due to a laundry list of reasons, but generally because I find most newer hardcore bands to be as exciting as a straightedge bachelor party. So, it’s nice to not have to include that for this album because, well, it’s not mind numbingly boring.

So Say We All is a little more aggressive than anything I’ve previously heard from Heads Held High, but they execute this heaviness without straying into the metal territory that a lot of their Cleveland contemporaries occupy. Although I can’t get into the collective consciousness of Heads Held High and therefore can’t claim to know what they wish to convey in regards to the musical tastes of their peers; song titles like “Cleveland: Mediocre Metal City” makes me believe we may be on the same wave length.

These guys might employ a bare bones rhythmic style but also take every opportunity to step out of that box to add a little extra flair to their songs when they can; usually through interesting guitar licks or raging community screamed vocals. Of course, this is hardcore music and hardcore music doesn’t come without the usual slings and arrows and even Heads Held High occasionally fall into some prefabricated hardcore moments, but not as often as most. If you like Dag Nasty, Gorilla Biscuits and Strike Anywhere (and you should), you might very well dig So Say We All.

I still don’t listen to an overabundance of hardcore records these days and the ones I do listen to regularly are of a high pedigree. This album, in time, may be ranked amongst those albums. For me, this album is nearly flawless; always staying fast and visceral without falling into any cringe worthy breakdown moments or stumbling into emo art obscurity. I can successfully listen to So Say We All without skipping a track. Recommended.

Chris

CFR002 Heads Held High - So Say We All

Taken from Punknews.org (http://www.punknews.org/review/8242)

Heads Held High grew out of the local punk and hardcore scenes of the greater Cleveland area and have adopted their sound from old hardcore acts like Black Flag and Dag Nasty. However, it’s plain to see that their music also goes on to include more modern influences and this is a key element when defining the band’s playing style.

On So Say We All, the band takes on an energetic hardcore tone and combines it with rich melody to create something distinct and memorable. The hooks can be found in all the right places and tracks like “John Galt Can Bite Me” and “Samson Gets a Haircut” seem to spell out that sentiment fairly well.

The lyrics are quite good on the record and seem to take a dive into social awareness every now and again. The reckless guitar playing and booming bass lines complement the release well and when combined with frontman Elliott’s aggressive vocals, the album positively kills.

With few releases under their belts, Heads Held High seem to have come into their own quicker than those up-and-comers who are still trying to get a handle on their own music. The band has a sound that’s far more mature and stylistically evolved. I wasn’t expecting to see that with So Say We All before hearing it, but afterwards it becomes something of a striking reality.

The bottom line is that this release is a pretty solid effort. The band’s playing is tight and if you’re into the newer hardcore scene, as it exists from coast-to-coast, then I’m sure you’ll dig the record, too.

I for one am eager to see where the band goes from here.

Review by Manic

CFR002 Heads Held High - So Say We All

Taken from Upstarter.com (http://www.upstarter.com)

Hot damn, it’s good to listen to old-fashioned, ass-kicking hardcore punk! I hope these guys have stock in bass drum heads and throat lozenges; I’m sure they go through a lot of them.

So Say We All is an 11-track musical masterpiece. You get screamish vocals from a frontman who can also sing, classic punk guitar notched up with nu-metal riffs, staunch and strumbly bass support, and insanely exceptional drumming. Clever nuggets of movie quotes pop up between songs with lyrics ranging from introspective, self-abasing, life-loving and regime challenging — brilliant.

Heads Held High deliver an album that makes you want to go out and drive fast, drink hard, and kiss beautiful strangers. I can’t wait til they tour the West Coast — go get this CD, learn the lyrics so we can go sing along when they’re here.

Review by HK-47