The Warriors - Genuine Sense of Outrage

Times change and music with them. Very few bands have ever kept the exact same sound they began with and continued to be successful. Change is necessary as a musician matures and grows in the understanding of their chosen instrument. This is as true of a rock band as it is a hardcore band. Normally when the change in musical style occurs old fans will be lost and new fans will be gained in the process. It isn't always pretty, but it is something that is necessary for a band to mature and grow every now and then. The Warriors have recently made that change on their debut for Victory Records, "A Genuine Sense of Outrage", and have lost a fan in the aforementioned change.

Their first cd was a scattershot of various elements, metal guitars, almost hip-hop beats, a high-strung scream reminiscent of Snapcase's Daryl Taberski and lyrics that observed both one's need for inner change as well as current socio-political movements. Their second cd, "Beyond the Noise," was an almost successful blending of these elements, hurt only by it's repetitive tendencies. Now comes their third cd, complete with Victory's band bio comparing the band's sound to a mix of The Refused, Rage Against the Machine and Hatebreed. At one time this was the case.

The first change noticeable is that of Marshall Lichtenwaldt's voice. Instead of a high strung scream he seems to have adopted a mid-range growl similar to Dan Quiggle of XDiscipleX AD. This isn't horrible of course, just a little disappointing. The disappointment continues though as the progressive elements found on their earlier cds are only found in bits and pieces throughout the newest cd in songs "The Price of Punishment", "Destroying Cenodoxus" and the title track. Overall the band seems to have adopted a more generic metalcore sound, while the only remaining element from their previous cds that is left unchanged is the lyrics.

Unfortunately a record cannot be listened to for lyrics alone and while there is nothing wrong with the more generic side of hardcore for the newcomers or those simply happy to hear a few breakdowns and have something to sing along to, those looking for something more are going to be disappointed.