Rockfreaks.net

Comeback Kid

Outsider

Written by: PP on 27/12/2017 20:41:04

Six albums down with "Outsider", Comeback Kid's back catalogue is already a sight to behold. From the two-step hardcore classic "Turn It Around" to the benchmark melodic hardcore release "Wake The Dead", the band has delivered the goods on more or less every record. The more polished edge of "Broadcasting..." ten years ago and the confusing hardcore release "Die Knowing" three years are the odd ones out in a discography that otherwise has delivered classic upon classic, culminating in their career masterpiece "Symptoms + Cures" seven years ago. And even the two odd ones out are rock solid records, they are just in an extremely tough competition against the Canadian melodic hardcore group's string of excellent releases.

That said, "Die Knowing" did feel like a let down because of how awe-inspiring its predecessor was. It was a retrospective turn to an older, heavier-hitting sound, a regressive release that all but ignored the band's anthemic brilliance in recent years. In comparison, "Outsider" feels almost like a pop punk record. The anthems are back big time, which means we're back in the realm of melodic hardcore classics, lead by outright bangers like "Somewhere, Somehow" and "Surrender Control" that sound absolutely massive without losing any edge in the process. We're talking about expansive, arena-sized gang shout choruses, ferocious lead vocal delivery and infectiously catchy melodies that underline why Comeback Kid should be the biggest band in the genre right now. If you thought Stick To Your Guns can dominate a tent at punk/hardcore festivals, just wait 'til you hear these tunes.

Throughout "Outsider", the soundscape varies between two-step friendly hardcore passages and far-reaching melodic hardcore anthems, occasionally dipping its toes into Your Demise style, punk rock inspired party starters. "Hell Of A Scene", for instance, combines Madball style NYHC aggression, only to deliver a chorus that almost sounds like it could've been written by The Offspring moments after (or Your Demise, for that matter). Similarly, "Recover" has a melodic edge to it that carries the feel of a punk rock band, only with coarser vocals and an overall high-energy, testosterone-loaded approach that only hardcore bands can deliver.

Their polar-opposite track is the Devin Townsend-featuring "Absolute", which in its two-step glory still manages to forge a mammoth soundscape thanks to the rising heights of Townsendian instrumentals that give the song its expansive feel. The guest spots on the album don't stop there. "Consumed The Vision" is an interesting cut, again balancing punk rock against hardcore with The Flatliners' Chris Cresswell adding screamed vocals throughout the track, which works surprisingly well.

And these are just a few select cuts from an all-around brilliant album. It's definitely much better than "Die Knowing", basically in the same class as "Symptoms + Cures" and "Wake The Dead" if we were to rank their back catalogue. It's a varied record that provides some of the life-affirming, anthemic sing-alongs this band is known for, without forgetting their ferocious, hardcore punk past in the process. Among the best, the genre has to offer in 2017, without a doubt.

Download: Somewhere, Somehow; Surrender Control; Recover; Hell Of A Scene
For the fans of: Your Demise, Bane, Stick To Your Guns, Devil In Me
Listen: Facebook

Release date 08.09.2017
Nuclear Blast