This does not seem like something Solid State would release, but that is no disappointment here. You may have heard that Blindside is crustcore, a mix of punk and hardcore, but that is not completely accurate. Yes, there are many crust-like parts on this disc, but they really do have their own style going here. There are some "nice" sounding emo-like parts with singing, mixed with lots of fast crust-like screamy hXc parts. The non-screamed vocals are fast at times. While they are never like hip-hop hardcore, they come close in a couple of parts. This is nothing at all like the choppy mix of emo and hXc some bands produce. This band blends styles better to produce their own.
You get your money's worth too, with 41 minutes of music on this disc. This is probably the least boring thing I've heard in a while, so it should spice up your collection a bit. It's not for everyone, but I rated it at what I like, not what I think you will agree with. 8.5 is good compared to what I would give many other things most people would give a 9 or a 9.5 to.
Blindside is the 8th T&N-Solid State release, next in line is Training For Utopia's Plastic Soul Impalement. I have heard that this will be much better than the Falling Cycle EP, so keep your eyes out for it. Solid State no. 10 will be Zao's Where Blood and Fire Bring Rest, and I don't really need to say anything about this one, because if you have heard any Zao news at all, you know this is going to be one KILLER disc.
8.5/10
Other coverage for this album
7ball #17Reviewed by Brad CavinessWhen you think of music from Sweden, chances are the first thing that springs to mind is the bubbly, bouncy, disco-pop of ABBA, Ace of Base or the Cardigans (not coincidentally, all bands fronted by attractive, blond females). Swedish metal band Blindside is set to change that. Vocalist Christian Lindskog displays a wide vocal range, frequently going from singing a fractured melody to a…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Josh SpencerIn a recent issue of HM, Blindside said they're hoping in the future to "learn how to sing and how to play." If they aren't any good, then the other Christian hardcore bands must be really bad! I don't know what it is about Scandinavia, but some of the heaviest music in the world these days originates from those frozen nether regions, be it Christian or otherwise. They must sit around inside and…Dead Zine 1997Reviewed by FletchThis is, although not bad, not what I would have expected from Solid State. Let's face it, Solid State is pumping out some seriously heavy stuff such as Zao, Embodyment, Living Sacrifice, etc., so what would possess them to put this out? I guess the answer to that would be that it sounds pretty cool. Don't buy this cd expecting metal or for your brain to be warped after listening to it, but…Garlic Press #4Reviewed by tedcoreWith a very original sound and vocals reminiscent of Skipline, they rip & tear through 8 tracks of punk and grind influenced hardcore. The best element of this record is the lyrics. Combine the militance of Earth Crisis and Christianity and you have Blindside's lyrics. In 'Rebirth of Anger' they state "I have no tolerance for your complaining...my fuse is now burning, the heads are all turning to…Similar sounding releases
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