NIV definitely puts the HARD in hardcore. This latest release from the much heralded SoCal band is pretty much similar to their last, which is prototypical BRUTAL hXc, low and heavy.
There are a couple standout tracks, which is nice. "Mr. Philosophy" is a great fast one, "Deadweight" (my personal fave) is a HUGE groovin' slow one, and the title track rocks somewhere in between. There are some go-nowhere boring generic hXc tracks, but that's as much a criticism of the genre as this band.
The lyrics aren't quite as blatant as they used to be, but are still very focused. "Tipping the Scales", which is about people who think doing enough good to outweigh the bad is going to be worthwhile, does everything but say the name "Jesus" -- "Tipping the scales with your insolence/ tipping the scales with your greed/ tipping the scales with a wicked heart/ that can only be changed if someone takes your blame/ a sacrifice/ if someone takes your blame/ a sacrifice/ someone took your blame". Good stuff for those hungry hardcore kids that think straightedge is a road to somewhere. "Deadweight" is about killing the old self -- "Take him out, take him out/hit him hard/don't let him show his ugly head/beat him down, beat him down/ let him lie so all can see, he is dead". Good stuff for people who like violent lyrics.
Bottom line, if you like brutal hardcore, this is a sure bet. If you liked Flesh and Blood, here's more.
7.5/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #90Reviewed by John SantAt one point, No Innocent Victim was considered one of the driving forces of the underground hardcore scene. The album Strength was a seminal achievement, instantly securing their place in the Christian hardcore scene. Their second album, No Compromise, while having one of the crappiest mixes imaginable, was full of heart and direct with its message. It only added to the band's popularity. Fast…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Brian A. SmithWhen interviewed by The Phantom Tollbooth years ago, Rich Mullins said the secret to Christian music was "If you can't be good, be loud." NIV is a hardcore band that follows the formula of hardcore: Play loud guitars and drums, play it fast, and shout and growl your lyrics over that soundtrack. Lead vocalist Jason Moody says that the group "took a lot of time and wanted every word to be the right…Dead Zine 2001Reviewed by the ProjectTipping the Scales by NIV is a killer pumped disk. I advise you like your hardcore HARD before buying this one. It is mad hard! I love it. Yelling, growling, insanity for the Lord is all this album is!! Very tight disk. Technical yet unorganized chaos?!? I don't know exactly where I stand with this disk because I am not too into the style, but I will say this disk is quite amazing. It really…Similar sounding releases
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