I saw NIV a month or so ago and word was that Overcome's new disc was coming out on Jason Dunn's (drummer of NIV) label (Facedown Records). Then NIV came back a few weeks later, and to my astonishment there was the new Overcome. I spent my dinner money to get it and boy am I happy.
Where'd they go you ask? Well they disbanded and then Jason Stinson got all new back up and went at it again. A whole new lineup backing one of my favorite hardcore vocalists. Even though there's a new band backing up Overcome it still sounds in the vein of the other albums, though this one has lots more hardcore to it than metal. The mix sounds a bit like When Beauty Dies, but is a bit less on the bass drum and guitars. Though they recorded with Bob Moon so I'm sure this is the sound they wanted.
The drummer (Ethan Pajak) has a good feel and can bust out all the necessary chops to hold himself up there with the really good hardcore drummers. The guitarists (Sean Owens and BJ Ovsak) play well off of one another to create a good diversity in the riffs. And the bass player (Jason Bowen) does his job well by backing everything up with his low end. I just love Jason's vocals, they are so unique, I've never really heard any others like his. This is one thing I think that totally makes them so unique and unlike any other band out there.
Once again the lyrics churn out some strong stance. Christ Thorns Compose has some great lyrics about living strong with Christ and dying to our will. I Rise Above is exactly what it sounds like, rising above words and actions against our Lord. They can always put forth such a strong statement in their music and not sound cheesy like some bands do. (Not that being strong is cheesy but it's in the way it comes across) All in all this is a very good disc and a must for all us hardcore fans out there.
8/10
Other Staff Member Ratings
Grindboy: 9/10
Other coverage for this album
Bandoppler 1999Reviewed by Tony "Keepin it Real" MitchellHey, hey there kiddies! I know I don't do a lot of reviews - mainly cause I'm not a very professional writer - but I just got the new Overcome EP - "The Life Of Death" on Facedown Records. And let me tell you, it is 5 songs of the best hardcore I've heard in a long time! I mean it's intense, it's hard, it's full of the Spirit, it's OVERCOME to the fullest degree! Now, you will notice a little…HM Magazine #73Reviewed by Doug Van PeltOkay, these guys lay down some mean hardcore. Even when the instruments step slightly out of time with each other, vocalist Jason Stinson holds it together with convincing screams. While production lacks some thickness at times, the songwriting and cool riffs make up for it. If you dig hardcore punk, you'll be into this. If you dug When Beauty Dies, then by all means, you'll want these five songs.The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Glenn HarperOvercome was signed to Tooth & Nail in the early summer of 1995, and promptly overlooked by the label. Sporting an excellent live show, their two albums on Tooth & Nail (Blessed are the Persecuted and When Beauty Dies) boast quite a few very promising songs with relatively unique new school hardcore stylings. Both albums are undone, however, by absolutely atrocious production; if Tooth & Nail had…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Joe RockstrohThis spirit-filled hardcore band certainly has a couple of things going for them: competent vocals, well-played music, good production, and Christ-centered lyrics. The lyrics from "Thorns Compose" are really part of the hymn "When I Survey", but they provide a good summation of the band's worldview: when I survey the wondrous cross on which the prince of glory died my richest gain I count but…Similar sounding releases
2001SpitfireThe Slideshow Whiplash
1997Set Apart / ChaliceSet Apart / Chalice
1999AntidemonDemonocídio
2001Saved By GraceFor What You Have Done
1999Embodyment1993-1996
1992CruciferFestival of Death
