Focused

Item: The Hope That Lies Within
Author: Hey You

The Hope That Lies Within

(1995)

Reviewed by Hey You

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Label Tooth & Nail RecordsDead Zine2002

groove metal hardcore hardcore punk metalcore

Since Focused's previous album was what hardcore should be, I expected much of the same in this album. I was not disappointed. This was their second and last album and it is just awesome. Completely different than the band of today, Focused has managed to take an album, Bow, and make their sound better, more innovative, more unique, and more creative. The scary thing is that they don't change anything. What am I talking about? They change nothing. Well, maybe 2 band members, but that's it. What makes this album better? It's just the complexity of the music. There's a lot more riffs which are different. They don't play the same riff for a few measures, then play another one for another few. They play a riff a couple of times, then change to another. This makes them sound faster, and sound like better musicians. If everyone was like Limp Bizkit and played the same riff every song for the whole song, music would be pretty dull. Plus, the lyrics are still to the point, but are more poetic. For instance, the lyrics in the song "Red" :

I will tell you soon about the words
used when the day has no room for us
and for the hope that lies within
and the love I've longed for
for with my hand in yours
I've held it so tight
in my last I will say your name
and I will know the answer

Both of their albums are great, but this one shows more talent in most aspects of their music. So, if you want some good, real hardcore, then get this.

9/10