Ah yes Persevere. Since I first put this tape into the deck until now while I'm writing this, I have not stopped enjoying this music. This is not your usual hardcore band. They really are doing some new things here, and I like what they are doing. Now, I've never felt a demo should deserve a 10 rating. I at first rated it a 9.5 due to it being a demo, that is only 4 songs long, but I've had this demo for over 4 weeks now and still I listen to it on a daily basis. So I felt that moving it to a 10 was the right choice. After all I really think everyone should own a copy of this tape.
One thing that makes this demo stand out is the quality of production. It's very well done without the usual hiss sounds of lower production demo tapes. Also a couple of samples from the movie Awakenings thrown in really are a nice touch, kind of like what Everdown did with Straining, but this is definitely heavier music than Everdown ever thought about being.
Lyrically the first song, entitled "Through It All" is quite unique. I feel this song could have been written about me almost. With lines like:
that strength i search for,
it comes from inside,
but every time it seems to hide
and the strength you give me
lies so deep inside
but even that is hard to find
Sometimes the Christian walk is rough, and although God is with us always, the Bible tells us that satan will attack us, using our weakest points. Sometimes finding that strength that God has given us, that we know is there, that we have felt before, is more difficult than other times.
A really nice insert is included with this tape as well. It's black and white, but very well laid out with some fantastic artwork. Also included is a little book that gives you the lyrics, and bands pictures, all of which are your typical looking hardcore live shots. cool!
The vocals are very hardcore, but easily understood, somewhat in the vein of Six Feet Deep. On occasion the songs will burst out with shouted riot vocals from the entire band, that really gets you in the song. This is really prevalent in the song "Stand Firm" at the end with the repeated shouting of stand firm! You just have to shout along it's such a great song.
This music is fast, and then slows, and brings you full circle emotionally, and that is a mark of a top notch band. This band is seriously in need of a label, because that's the only thing keeping them from being huge!
If you like to buy demo tapes, buy this tape. If you hate to buy demo tapes, buy this tape. If you only like to buy a couple demo tapes a year, make one of them this tape. If you listen to music buy this tape, get the idea?
Their webpage say the demo is not yet released, but I think that's just because they have not updated their webpage, so instead why don't you just E-Mail the Band and ask them how much the tape is.
Their address is:
Persevere
c/o Colin Day
664 kensington ave.
severna park, md. 21146
10/10
Other Staff Member Ratings
Ceeb: 7.5/10
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