Lionheart - Built On Struggle

Rating

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RIYL

First Blood
Terror
Merauder
Madball

Release Date

01/18/2011

Label

Mediaskare

Tracklist

1.Relentless
2.Pure Anger
3.Brother Keeper
4.Built On Struggle
5.Betrayed
6.What I've Become
7.Through Hell and Back
8.The Hand That Feeds
9.Reprisal
10.Don't Speak My Name
11.The Bend Before The Break
12.Nowhere
13.The Only Life I Know

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4 ratings

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Recent Ratings

It’s still early in the new year and tough guys everywhere are left scratching their heads trying to figure out if this will be the year that beat-down hardcore peaks its head back into the scene. Sure 2010 had a few heavy hitting hardcore releases, like First Blood and Terror but nothing that stuck. Could 2011 be the year that all the fitted hat bros get their wishes and they're able to “let it all out” in the pit again? Well, only time can answer and believe it or not, there is one band starting this year off in the right direction. Their name is Lionheart.

Bay Area’s tough-guy hardcore outfit, Lionheart just released their second full-length album, Built On Struggle, and boy is it heavy. Listen, these guys aren’t reinventing the wheel here, but I’m fairly certain that isn’t their main objective. Built On Struggle is hard as hell and straight to the point. Right from the get go, Lionheart unleashes brutality upon us like a pack of wolves, which oddly enough is the first track's lyrical direction. “Relentless” is just shy of two minutes, but it feels like it encompasses a full hour of hate filled music, that is until you get to the track's successor. “Pure Anger” was the first single released off the album and it’s for a good reason. Just by listening to this one track, you can get a feel for what the entire album is about… being pissed off.

This album has a hardcore hall of fame guest list including Brandan Schippati (Bleeding Through), Karl Buechner (Earth Crisis), Dave Nassie (Bleeding Through, Suicidal Tendencies), Lord Ezec (Skarhead) and Bruce LaPage (100 Demons). One of the most exciting guest appearances is Mr. Lapage. Bruce hasn’t done much since his departure from 100 Demons, but he definitely makes his presence known on “Brothers Keeper.” His vocals are undeniably unmatched as is Dave Nassie’s guitar solo on this track. “Brothers Keeper” is without a doubt one of the biggest standout tracks on this album. It’s not alone, however; some other tracks that should be listened to are “What I’ve Become,” “The Hand That Feeds” and “The Bend Before The Break.” Each song is just as brutal as the other and all deserve an equal chance to be listened to.

As I stated earlier, Lionheart aren’t reinventing the wheel but that definitely isn’t their main purpose. They’re here for one reason and one reason only… to smash face. Built On Struggle is a thirty five minute fight between you and whoever the hell is around you. It’s about being pissed off and making sure everyone knows about it. Now you can sit here and tell me how the whole album sounds the same, from front to back, but isn’t that the entire genre? It’s not a boring listen but it’s also not an award winning listen either. It is beat-down hardcore done the way it’s supposed to be. Got a problem with that? Take it up with the boys in Lionheart; I’m sure they’d be more than happy to listen to what you have to say.

--Bill Lohr

Author

Bill Lohr
Last updated: 02/27/2011 05:14AM

Comments

KEVO
02/27/2011
11:33AM
Age: 20
Location
Alabama

Never been that into these guys mainly because of the repetitiveness you described in the beat-down genre but good review. I'll check out the album. And did you say that KOTF didn't stick? I loved it. Still do. 

Jacopo ebolarama Olivares
02/27/2011
05:40PM
Age: 24
Location
San Diego, CA
KEVO

Never been that into these guys mainly because of the repetitiveness you described in the beat-down genre but good review. I'll check out the album. And did you say that KOTF didn't stick? I loved it. Still do. 

KOTF: Agreed. Lionheart: sounds dope, I'll have to check this out.

Too old to bother, too young to give a shit.

Cody Rogers
02/28/2011
07:34AM
Age: 19
Location
Raleigh, NC

This band straight up blows. Seeing them live was literally painful. You can only have your fat hype man yell "COME ON MOTHERFUCKERS, LET'S GO" so many times before no one does anything.

buck09
02/28/2011
07:48AM
Age: 31
Location
Reno, NV

Able to listen to practically the entire album with itunes 1:30 length previews. The best part of waking up... is in your face hardcore on a monday morning. Folgers is comes in second this morning. 

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