Believe it or not, in fact, you probably won’t, but once upon a time, Century Media put out some of the damn hardest hardcore albums in existence. Such classics as Merauder’s Master Killer, the superlative Kickback’s Forever War, and Turmoil’s The Process of, not to mention a slew of others that have gone on to become total classics, well, at least in my record collection. For a long time, the label turned a blind eye to the core, but now, given that every angsty late teen, 20 something or other is pouring all their spare time into making breakdowns, sing alongs, two step parts and all the key constituents of hardcore songs, then now would be the absolute perfect time to bring a band like Stick to Your Guns on board.

In fact, I bet the band are feeling they have struck gold, not only are they on one of the most powerful metal labels in the world, but they are on the Warped tour, will be joining the Thrash and Burn tour and then hitting Europe on the Hell on Earth package. Not bad going for a bunch that were very, very unknown little more than a year ago, but (here we go again), is the hype justified and what is all the fuss about?

In truth, the hype should not be justified, because there is absolutely nothing on Comes From the Heart, that hasn’t been heard on the billion other modern hardcore and metal albums in circulation. Furthermore, what should deter the more hardened reader among you is that every time I listen to this band, I think of Comeback Kid (circa ‘Turn it around’). However, don’t think that Stick to your Guns are aiming for MTV superiority, no chance, whilst there are out of place sugary choruses (the one on ‘Impact,’ is HORRIBLE) peppered here and there, for the majority, this is a raging rush that will enflame your testosterone for its half hour run time.

Proof being, that when the band get it right, such as on ‘Driving Force,’ and ‘Heartless,’ which are both the absolute perfect mix of melody, anthem and muscle, its totally divine. Not only are the songs rallying and uplifting but show a deft fusion of contrasting elements that despite their difference make such an impact when correctly balanced.

In the end, the fact cannot be denied that this is a band with talent, and although that troublesome question of whether the hype is justified continues to burn inside my gut, Stick to your Guns didn’t get here purely by luck, and they demonstrate here that there is a lot of talent amongst them, and furthermore, given their youth, I feel they will show their true worth.

Not only that, any band that makes a t-shirt with Oscar the Grouch has to be worthy of some of your time.

[Visit the band's website]

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