Die Young- Chosen Path review

When I first heard a band named DIE YOUNG were to release an album called CHOSEN PATH on a label called HEADFIRST RECORDS I immediately assumed it was going to be metallic hardcore. It's title reeks of 80's, X'd up streetcore and HEADFIRST has a release history including the likes of YOUNG AND IN THE WAY and TORCH RUNNER, so DIE YOUNG'S sound is assured, but it's a question of how well they do blistering, heavy, thick metalcore.

Luckily for the Texas powerhouse, CHOSEN PATH is good. It's not great, but it's tuneful and heavy and I would buy the record and play it every couple of months. All songs are very straight forward hardcore jams occasionally broken up by  chugga-chugg breakdowns or sweet, Slayer-esque guitar solos. The guitar work is solid, so props to them for breaking away from the breakdownbreakdownbreakdownbreakdown hardcore stereotype.

Vocals are the normal gutturals. They don't vary much so they get a little monotonous. The drums are fantastic though. They sound huge and hazy and mystical, like occult Death-Metallers GRAVE MIASMA. Really unique for hardcore and I hope I hear it again.

The musical vibe is very dark, nearly apocalyptic, giving me a kind of INTEGRITY vibe. The reviewers copy didn't come with any lyrics but I know the band is very, very straightedge so I expect some anti-drug message in their content.

Overall, I'd give this record a 7/10. It's nothing to cream your pants about, but it does what it does very well.

The album is up for preorder on Februrary 17th, with several vinyl colors available.

 (Big thanks to John for the reviewers copy!)