"Down Not Out" Live in Worcester, Massachusetts - 2009
- Reviews from debut album "Failure" -
"Failure rips from opening track "Down Not Out" to the ender
"Square One". If anything Outbreak has gotten more proficient with
their pissed snotty hardcore attack with more solid drumming, a bit of New York
hardcore influence, and just better song writing." -Scene Point Blank
"The quintet from Maine takes things to the next level and the
result is a stirring album from start to finish... The band added a
whole lot more catchiness to their simplistic offerings. Ryan O’
Connor’s raspy vocals still come along as aggressive and pissed-off as
it gets, while the guitars race though the songs with cutting energy.
The entire album sounds supremely powerful, crisp, yet never too
polished, what only adds to the driving character of OUTBREAK’s
material." -Take The Risk
"Jim Siegel lends his expertise in recording this album—you’d
know him if you’ve heard Dropkick Murphys, Blood For Blood, or
American Nightmare before. Punked up rhythms with shout-outs, stirring
frenetic guitars that chugga-chugga away, and a lack of that breakdown
reliance that so many “hardcore” bands have been leaning on the last
few years." -Smother
"There's something to be said for hardcore acts more interested in
blowing the listener away with their sheer intensity than blowing anyone's mind
with technical prowess or style. Outbreak is definitely one of these bands and
their latest album Failure is an unrelenting twenty-minute hardcore
tour-de-force... Ryan O'Connor's vocals should be a drawing point to most
listeners, as they are fairly unique for the style, sounding a bit like a cross
between Kid Dyamite's Jason Shevchuk and a hardcore version of Joey
Vindictive... The Kid Dynamite comparison spreads into the music a bit too, but
more in delivery than songwriting, as there is precious little melody in these
sixteen tracks... Interestingly though, the disc's closer features guest vocals
from former Comeback Kid vocalist Scott Wade, who split with his band during the
same period he recorded this guest spot. It's a fitting final note for Wade as
well as for the album, giving a final concrete example of the sort of
resignation the album itself deals with. -LambGoat
"Fueled by a relentless, spit-flinging vocal attack, precise drumming and a
dependency on simple, scathing chord progressions, Outbreak's music is modern,
by-the-books hardcore. It's in your face and fast, and doesn't break for
anything but the occasional mid-paced sing-along, rocked-out guitar riff and
fiery guitar solo."
-GeekBurger
"I have to say that this new Outbreak stuff is their best so far."
-Hanging Hex
"...They get that punk and hardcore don’t always have to be two
separate things, and they bridge that widening gap with get-off-your-ass
ferocity, speed, and a little misanthropy thrown in for good measure...
How about the fact that the average age of the guys in the band is a
mere 20 years, which puts them at about the fetus-stage when Black Flag,
their clear primary influence, was still plugging away? Or what about
the fact that Failure, the band’s new full-length, is made up of 16
kick-you-in-face hardcore-rock n’ roll anthems that play for a total
of just over 20 minutes? Or how could I forget the occasional yet
completely bitchin’ guitar solos in songs like “Lessons Learned”
and “Test of Time”?... The lyrical content is about what you’d
expect if you’ve ever listened to Black Flag’s Damaged, but Ryan O’Conner’s
passionate and pissed-off delivery make it worthwhile. After relentless
touring with the likes of Agnostic Front and Comeback Kid, Outbreak has
arrived at a good place with this album. They just plain get it
right." -WERS
"This was recorded and produced at the Outpost by Jim Siegal, who is
arguably the biggest recording name in hardcore. And as you would expect, he did
good with "Failure". He did a wonderful job of capturing the bands
intense live sound."
-SicZine
"When I listen to Kid Dynamite, I hear a raw intensity that not many bands
pull off. Plenty of bands attempt to achieve this sound, but fall VERY short.
Outbreak doesn't fall short. They hit the mark and actually, surpass it -HowsYourEdge
"Titled Failure, OUTBREAK take a baseball bat to life's pleasantries
and aim for knocking out the sun. Mostly. There's a bit of a see-saw battle to
the band's smokin' hot hardcore style with some hesitation in truly staying
within the despondent. Songs like "Lost for Words," "Giving Up,
Giving In," "Built to Break," "Losing Streak," and
"Wasting Away," connote days of darkness, while "Down Not
Out," "Lessons Learned," "New Beginning," and
"Test of Time," at least offer a ray of hope. While OUTBREAK may be on
the fence concerning their "positive" mental outlook, at least the
group's musical direction falls into a neat hard and fast rule. Sixteen songs,
20 minutes, and with only a few pauses in the action to account for some circle
pits, drum fills, and mild breakdowns. Imagine THE CASUALTIES reared in the
hardcore scene (as opposed to that of ye'ole gutterpunk) and committed to
writing songs that terrorize for less than two minutes. With no frills, no cheap
tricks, and no big-mosh-padding, Failure is a lean, mean, fire-spitting
machine."
-Paste Punk
"One thing I wanted to note is that this band has evolved
musically since their last release. I think its great and I always hope to see
bands do that and still be good. A lot of bands that do that end up sucking.
Outbreak is still on the top in my eyes and my ears... There should be more
fast/chaotic hardcore bands." -The Rule Reporter
"Outbreak return with "Failure" and it doesn't get any dirtier
than this as Outbreak continue their anger with a release that lets you know
that the older forms of hardcore and punk are still pushing their way into the
new day... Outbreak have never been one to compromise their integrity for what
is called new hardcore these days, instead they offer a slightly more abrasive
sound to their radical ways... "Failure" will heighten your enjoyment
of this band as they tend to be one of the better punk hardcore acts to push a
better sound these days. They came from what every other HC bands did only they,
like few others, know how to carry the torch along." -TheHxC.com
"Furious hardcore, hooky punk rhythms, anger-to-insanity vocals and some
kick-ass metal guitar solos... has similar sounds to the New England
school of 80s hardcore - try Poison Idea and Gang Green, but punkier at
times." - Feast of Hate and Fear
"Failure is a fast and unrelenting assault of brutal hardcore that
will not disappoint any fan of the genre... Outbreak flawlessly cram as
much intensity as they can into a short song... One thing you have to
credit the band for is their ability to leave an impression. Although
quick and heavy, songs like “Built to Break” and “Chewed Up, Spit
Out” are not easily forgotten... One of the impressive aspects of the
band is that every member plays their part exceptionally well without
overtaking the other... Sometimes you just have to let all the
aggression out, and there are very few albums that can help you do so as
well as Failure." -Decoy Music
"16 songs in less that twenty minutes that go right for the jugular in a
hit-and-run style almost lost to most bands today, who seem to try and dress
things up to the point of losing all momentum and honesty. There is a good
variation in pace, with some great breakdowns but, thankfully, no over-done
chugging neo-core garbage. "Lost for Words" brings DRI to mind in its
nostalgic structure, while "Square One" closes things off with the
catchiness of an instant classic. Old school sensibilities dominate here."
-DeadTide.com
"I spent a lot of the 20 minute duration of Failure trying to figure out
why I never listened to these guys before." -ThePlayList.net
"I'm not going to lie to you... I don't spend hours on the internet
listening to music anymore. I don't download album after album in search of new
or different music these days. Every now and then I hear a band that a lot of
people have been talking about and I wish I had listened to all those people a
lot sooner. Outbreak falls into that category." -CoraZine
"Wow, this is a rager. It's an outbreak (arrgh!) of blazing fast hardcore
punk... Outbreak do a good job of combining early 80s and late 80s hardcore
influences."
-AMP Magazine
OUTBREAK (New Album in 2009!)'s Friend Space (Top 16)
HEY DUDES, FINALLY WE HAVE A BRAND NEW SONG UP! IT'S CALLED 'THIS IS ART' AND IT'S THE TITLE TRACK TO OUR NEW E.P, WHICH IS OUT THIS SEPTEMBER ON LOCKJAW RECORDS. WE'VE STRIPPED IT DOWN TO SOME BARE ASS HARDCORE! LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK. WE ALSO HAVE A NEW PAGE. p.s CAN WE COME OVER AND TOUR WITH YOU?
about fucking time can't wait for that shit to hit stores come to the kave again and tear it up OUTBREAK RULES!! i promise stage dives as well. anit social is my favorite song so far