AGNOSTIC FRONT’s pedigree is impeccable, and its history and importance in heavy music in general, much less hardcore, cannot be overstated. Yep, as a matter of fact, if you’re of a certain age and haven’t heard the band, you’re probably lost on the internet, which is the way most people stumble across this site anyhow. Regardless, if – even nearly a half-century of the New Yorkers kicking global ass from basement shows to arenas later – you’re still not familiar, welcome to Echoes In Eternity, the band’s thirteenth studio record.
No useless intro to wade through, as ‘Way Of War’ dives into the pit with both boots, gang vocals, triphammer drums, and a strange bridge section where Vinnie Stigma proves AF has never been a band stuck in one sound. ‘You Say’ is classic NYC hahd-corr, repetitive shouts and an almost militant, marching pace, while ‘Matter Of Life & Death’ (one of the longer songs here, at nearly 2 ½ minutes) gives props and space to the one, the only Darryl McDaniels of legendary hip hop pioneers, RUN-DMC, the dog losing none of his bite with age.
The Stigma / (Craig) Silverman guitar crew slams into ‘Tears For Everyone’ with one of the most rabid attacks we’ve heard from the duo in a few albums, and the exuberant joy and memories of CBGB’s legendary Sunday Matinees is recalled in, well, ‘Sunday Matinee’. I mean, what the fuck else you gonna call it? Granted, stylistically, the tune may come across as lighter fare than your average current hardcore fan is used to, but all I gotta say is this; respect where the music that runs through your veins comes from, because some of these “old guard” bands still pack a punch. Witness the 0:41 of ‘Art Of Silence’ and tell me it ain’t so.
‘Shots Fired’ finds Roger Miret spitting fury and retribution, laying down street justice in an era when, sometimes, it’s the only and best resolution. Chugging and charging all the way to the last step, ‘Eyes Open Wide’ is AGNOSTIC FRONT incarnate, unstoppable and unbroken. Bloodied but unbowed, still creating a sound that Echoes In Eternity.
Review By: Lord Randall
AGNOSTIC FRONT
Echoes In Eternity
Reigning Phoenix Music