Young Poor & Angry Press

When you listen to Show of Force you might get a bit of nostalgia, I know I certainly do. NYHC style is slowing dying out with bands reverting to a more “metal” feel when it comes to their hooks and breakdowns. Show of Force takes that concept like a pitbull and shakes it till it’s dead. Don’t look for any fluff or sing-song melodic lyrics from this band. They’re pure adrenaline mixed with the intensity of bands like Merauder, Dmize, and Cold as Life. This isn’t a “new” style band by any stretch and that’s what makes it so good… bringing the soul and anger back into hardcore.

A good example of that can be heard on Human Nature, in which the introduction is a woman being assaulted - no doubt taken from a horror movie of some sort. It’s fast, angry, and tougher than Steven Segal on a bad day. What brings it all together on a lot of the tracks is the call and response gang vocals, something that hasn’t been done successfully in a long time as far as I’m concerned. If you’re a fan of hardcore that you can understand and empathize with, then Show of Force is definitely one of the bands you should check out.

Frankly this album is a long time coming. I love pop-punk and you see we do a lot of reviews of those records. They’re great and they make me smile. Though there are some days I don’t want to smile. There are some days when I want unabashed anger and rage at the status quo. Those days aren’t meant for pop-punk and in some respect hardcore too. Those days are reserved for bands like D.O.A.

This album is everything a growing punk needs to survive. Fast songs, fast vocals and insightful lyrics that will make you want to burn a bible. Especially one of my personal favorites That’s Why I’m An Atheist. The entire album is a commentary on the world we live in currently. Songs like Don’t Bank on A Bank and They Hate Punk Rock hit very close to home for those who are a bit older.

I plug albums a lot. I tell you to go buy stuff on the regular that I think is good. That being said, this is one album if you love punk rock that you need in your collection. It’s punk rock the way it should be; hard, fast and without political correctness.

By Heidi Minx:

Over a year and a half ago, I started a column for InkedMag.com, called Inked for A Cause — it combined two of my passions: socially-minded people and my 20-year love affair with body art.

Like most tattooed people, my tattoos have a deep personal meaning to me. But about four years ago, I noticed a transition — my tattoos became more defiant.

The Tibetan flag is outlawed in Tibet.

The phrase Bho Rangzen, 'Free Tibet,' is also punishable.