Throwdown - Intolerance

(CD Album Review)

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Orange County Brutal merchants still standing strong!!!

One thing you have to respect about Throwdown is that they we're always present but kind of in the background of the bands that came out of Orange County Hardcore / Metal scene. Starting of as a side project of Eighteen Visions which also led the way to the formation of Bleeding Through two of the best Hardcore / Metalcore bands that ever came out of America. Out of the many bands that sprung from that time in the early 2000's Throwdown are the last band standing and still going strong on this being their seventh full length. Eighteen Visions split a few years ago and before any chance of a reformation bass player and key member tragically passed away, which hit our editor Dan Devour really hard because he was a close friend of his. Bleeding Through also finished up last year playing their farewell shows last year including a special show at the venue they were renowned for storming the London Underworld.

On the anticipated album 'Intolerance' they pretty much stick to what their good at, that being hardcore while incorporating groove Metal touches of Lamb of God and Pantera which they have done on their last couple of albums. Then again I think Throwdown must have been a big influence on Lamb of God and many bands in the 2014 Metal scene, which is growing all the time. This album clocks in at just twenty eight minutes and with only three songs going slightly over the three minute mark. It lacks standout track for this reason and you feel they should have taken just a little more time on it.

Opener 'Fight or Die' is the most memorable on the record and really get's you going and would be a good mosh pit track. However it's a great half an hour of brutality like show on 'Avow', perfect as a soundtrack to a quick workout to get ready for singing with your own Metal band or down the gym pushing weights. Throwdown are hardly breaking new ground but they are not really trying too either. Throwdown's main strength was always their live shows and this will add a few fresh numbers to their set. If your new to the band you might be better starting off with an earlier album if you are a fan this album will give you no reason to stop.