Originally published in Verbicide issue #5

I think Strife have set some sort of record for most gratuitous use of the words “overcome,” “refuse,” and “rise.” It has been about four years since their last recording, and who knows what has gone on since then or what these guys were doing…I guess I’ll just leave that bit of detective work up to the reader. The lyrics don’t offer much insight, as I can’t tell if they’re really indicative of regret, or if they’re just your typical cataclysmic Strife lyrics. I did get excited when I saw that Eric Bobo laid down some percussion on track six, “From These Graves,” but other than a brief intro (unfortunately interrupted by Rick Rodney screaming “Yeah right, motherfucker!”) and an outtro, you don’t get enough Bobo.

I was into Strife when I was 17, but now, after such a long time off, I think I’ve outgrown them. Assuming this will be a similar reaction from most other former Strife fans, they’re going to have to reach out to a whole new fan base with this release.

(Victory Records, 346 N. Justine St., Ste. 504, Chicago, IL 60607)