More and more bands are going the hardcore metal route -- which usually means a hardcore barker as a frontman, with a bunch of thrash metal instrumentalists riffing and bashing along. And while some may assume that the debut album by
To the Lions, 2007's
Baptism of Fire, is just another slab of hardcore metal, the group is a bit of a throwback as they focus mostly on just the hardcore part of the equation. Anger, venom, and hostility are offered by the truckload here, just like the group's chief influences had done a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away (such early-'90s bands as
Unbroken,
Chokehold, and
Undertow). As with most vintage hardcore, you know what you're in store for here -- certainly no chance of a string symphony or choir making a magical appearance -- hollering and riffing is the name of the game, especially on such tracks as "Ride the Apocalypse" and "Born to Die." ~ Greg Prato