Disciple's first CD release, and they managed to pack 10 songs into under 22 minutes of music. What can you say, hardcore is all about being to the point I guess.
The first two tracks give you the idea that maybe Disciple has slipped into that vein of "just another average hXc band" with the second track packing only 50 seconds of song. THEN comes the re-recording of Candy Apple, and you suddenly realize you are indeed listening to Disciple!
Of the ten songs Candy Apple and Baregrounds are the only tracks that were previously released (Baregrounds on Lantern and Candy Apple on Stifled Vol. 1) but these new recordings are so incredible that any Disciple fan won't feel ripped off at all by their inclusion.
Musically this is Disciple at their finest, which was always top notch. Solid guitars, with crunch riffs, nice breakdowns, and spoken vocals not over used, but to accent the intensity. The vocals are the same psycho vocals I fell in love with when Lantern first came out on cassette, only fine tuned and honed to perfection. Lots of thrash influence here very speedy chuga chuga guitar parts mixed throughout. The bass playing really stands out for a hardcore band. Many times, the bass playing really gets lost in the chaos, but Brian Oborski really proves his mettle. And if there is a hardcore drummer out there who can really step up and challenge Jesse Smith (of Zao) it's Adam Salaga. Technical, and fast, and likes his double kick pedal as much as I do.
Lyrically you have a hardcore band that is not afraid to stand up for God. Once again I find in a band like Disciple reason enough to NEVER compromise for a band who says they are "not a Christian band" and writes obscure, and confusing lyrics that can only be interpreted. The song Refuge and Strength is the prime example from their new material:
resistance and power
drawn from God inside of me
resurrected within my soul
these eyes will see retribution
i defy, i reject, i denounce, i resist
this world so sweet it makes me sick
i use His lantern to find my way through
These guys have really made an effort for years now to take Christian hardcore to a level that it competes well with the secular scene, yet still remain true to their God. Imitation of Love exceeds that level.
In the end my main complaint with this CD is the length of it. As mentioned above, the 21 minutes of music is gone before you know it. Never the less if you like hardcore, then you need to find this CD.
8/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #74Reviewed by Doug Van PeltThis band just keeps getting better and better. Whether you call them "Disciple" or "xDisciplex," this hardcore band knows how to crank out the power. These guys help me get over the loss of Everdown. Sometimes the band gets the chugging rhythms going and they stop it on a dime. The vocals are used in a variety of ways, which gives this disc the much-needed dynamics to stand above the crowd. I'd…Similar sounding releases
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