V/A – Still Going Strong / 2006 I Scream / 25 Tracks / http://www.iscreamrecords.com / Reviewed 01 April 2006

On the surface, there are enough bands that should make this disc from a disc that individuals will merely look at and one that is a must by. For example, fans of oi, hardcore, and punk should be thrilled at the collection of bands, which include Slapshot, Stars & Stripes, Tech 8 and Agnostic Front. Couple that with 21 other tracks by lesser-known bands, and individuals will have 74 minutes of music to choose from. “Hanging on the Corner”, Blood For Blood’s contribution to the track mixes a scratchy, hardcore set of vocals with a hardcore punk tempo to full effect.

This song, especially when one hears the multiple harmonies that find their way to this track, is something that will be sang along with for years to come. Agnostic Front throws together a song based on the old children’s song “Polly Wolly Doodle” with their “Take ‘Em All”. Far from their hardcore routes, this track feels more influenced by Roger Miret than the rest of the band. It is only during Length of Time’s “Men Into Gods” that the emocore style enters into the equation. While this style is something that seemingly every band is doing right now, Length of Time still adds a few things to this worn-out musical style to keep their sound interesting. There is no lack of energy during the tracks of “Still Going Strong”. Maximum Penalty come out with a track that is one of the most inspired on the disc, as they mix the stoner-metal of early Sabbath with a hardcore style to come out with something that is not duplicated anywhere else on this album. Tech-9 is not the rap act (as was my surprise) but is rather a punk band from Holland. In true punk fashion, they bash out a cover of the Pistols’ “Pretty Vacant”.

Faithful to the original, the track is also faithful to the high quality level of this album, as it fails to disappoint anyone who sits down and listens. Hardsell uses the clean, open style of punk rock to hit their listeners hard with “Gonna Die Tonight”. This song is a perfect blend of styles that in its slight time over three minutes shows exactly what the disc itself stands for. This eclectic brand of styles shows I Scream as the front runners for some of the freshest music out on the market. Even if some of the bands have made it big in the last few years, a number of bands will undoubtedly be broken big as a response to their songs on this CD. Pick this up so you can hear these bands in their pre-sign stride.

Top Tracks: Hardsell “Gonna Die Tonight” / Blood For Blood’s “Hanging On The Corner”

Rating: 7.4/10

[JMcQ]