The Casualties
Die Hards

THE REVIEW

On an imaginary scale, that goes from pop to punk, on the hundred steps that rise from the bottom to the top, after much wandering we would find, if not at the end but almost, the Casualties. This surreal scenario to give the idea of the type of sound (perhaps more than sound, it would be appropriate to use the term loud!) that characterizes the productions of the aforementioned band. If on the first steps we would find Green Day and company, to get to the top it takes a bit of effort and it is not certain that once reaching the goal, one can handle the height from the ground. Which also rhymes!

Well yes, ladies and gentlemen, because the style of the New York band is certainly not within the reach of any kind of human ears. Complicated sound proposal? Not quite, the recipe is as strong and genuine as a strawberry cake made by mom, but in the long run, it risks staying on the stomach for those who are not lovers of the basic sound ingredients.

Now, however, some clues about the group just to give a more precise idea. The Casualties are one of the most well-known hardcore/punk - street punk bands, formed in New York (also the city of Sick Of It All) in 1990. Their style is inspired by the English hardcore and punk scene, offering a sound similar to bands like Exploited, GBH, Blitz, Partisans, etc. A sound that makes the speed of the rhythm section its battle horse all seasoned by Contreras' vocal performance that mostly uses raw screaming, completed by the frequent choruses in pure Oi! style in which the combo engages.

From the original lineup, only the singer Jorge Contreras remains, now supported by Jake Pass Kleatis on guitar, Rick Beer on bass, and Meggers Eggers on drums. The Casualties are recognized as the inventors of the motto "spikey-haired" and the slogans "up the punx" and "punx unite" (also the title of one of their songs).

This "Die Hards" is the fourth studio album of the band, following "Stay Out Of Order" from the previous year.

About the individual songs, thirteen for those who love numbers, what to say? There's little to describe as the tracks are all very similar. It's a pity because some variation wouldn't have ruined the overall painting and the group preferred to use the few available colors instead of the many present on the palette to finish the artwork. But punk would have been outraged if the four Americans had opted for the second choice.

The initial pair "Nightmare" and "City council" is a punch in the stomach, from which it is difficult to recover, capable of transforming even the mildest person after listening. In the second track, particularly, Jorge Contreras seems to literally tear his vocal cords. Among the best episodes, "Die hards" which opens with some choruses and "Made in NYC", in which the singer screams less than usual and the guitars create more pleasant chords in which a good dose of aggression still remains. One of the few songs, perhaps the only one, where new school influences can be found. "Can't stop us" (with a prolonged drum intro not bad) and "This is your life" where finally a nice solo pops out, are to be noted in the notebook.

Surprisingly enough, for being sung in Spanish, "Mierda mundial".

What to say if you want to buy it or more probably download it from the mule (I don't think it can be won at the church charity raffle..) I want to give you some more tips.

In particular, two aspects: vocal performance and melodies. As already mentioned, bear in mind the screams and raw singing for those who are used to a completely different type of groups. And let's clarify that the screams here are not exactly those coming from today's precise and perfect emo-core groups, here the screams are rancid, violent, nihilistic, smelling of beer, as much out of tune and hoarse. Point two, if you are looking for melody and tranquility change orb completely here there is only room for genuine chaos and nothing more. Finally, personal consideration, this album could also appeal to thrash metal lovers (even though all in all compared Metallica and Megadeth seem almost easy listening).

In conclusion, a decent CD particularly recommended to old school hardcore lovers, which certainly pays for the lack of any musical and/or thematic contamination or variation and that obeys exclusively to punk tradition.

For all those who hate the cheerful punk of NOFX, Lagwagon, and company and want something more intense and without etiquette lessons included as a bonus.