Heave Media

The Newest Phase Of Hardcore: Verse

Verse's third full-length changes the rules of hardcore music.

Verse

Aggression

Released on Nov 30, -0001

Growth is expected from a band with each new release, that's just the way it is - always has been, always will be. Often times I'm disappointed to see that when a good band comes out with a second or third album, that it often lacks the intensity or allure of their previous record. This, however, is not the case with one of New England's straight edge hardcore band, Verse. Their latest album and third full-length, Aggression is a hardcore masterpiece filled with angst, anger, but most importantly intense, profound music.

The album starts with "The New Fury", which commences with a melodic, conciliatory guitar instrumental, then breaking into violent clash of cymbals against vocalist Sean Murphy's trademark wail. The vocals on this track are quite insightful and philosophical, proving once again that Verse can bring intelligence into hardcore music. "Old Guards, New Music" flows almost seamlessly into the end of "The New Fury", and continues the song's attitude. I would describe the sound of these songs with a mixture of new Comeback Kid with some Have Heart, and maybe just a touch of old At the Drive-In; quite a nice combination if I do say so.

"Suffering to Live, Scared to Love", the album's next song starts slowly and builds to a furious, politically laced creation. This album all flows nicely together, but no tracks flow quite as nicely as the three simultaneous tracks aptly named "Story of a Free Man", with different chapters named "The End of innocence", "The Cold Return" and "Serenity". I liked this song for many reasons, not just that it was good quality music, but because it tells a story, and does so in an artful, insightful way, which differs it from the majority of other hardcore music.

Aggression, like many albums, begins to slow down towards the end; however, unlike many albums, it doesn't lose any of its intensity during these last few. The conclusive track, "Sons and Daughters", pulls all of the album's greatness into to one four-minute episode. It features some beautiful instrumental work, as well as profound lyrics and even a chant of "aggression." When the song seems as though it has come to a close, hold on a few seconds, because following soon thereafter is a terrific instrumental conclusion.

Aggression challenges the stereotype of the hardcore album by bringing politics, activism and belief into play through the use of intelligent music with some enlightened artists presenting it. While political bands often get old with their message, Verse has managed to keep diversity and avoid the commonalities that are all too often found in political music. Verse takes it to the next level with this album.

Posted by Andrew Scott on Jun 13, 2008 @ 12:00 am