“Proud to be who I am – I refuse – unashamed“
Since debuting in 2002, Terror have grown in stature that they are to be revered in the hardcore scene. With Bryan Garris‘ of Knocked Loose once putting it bluntly at a hardcore show, “if you leave before Terror you’re not a hardcore kid“. With their live shows taking an energy of their own and very rarely disappointing, tracks like “Keepers of the Faith” and “This World Never Wanted Me” becoming some of the best live songs in the scene. They are now looking to add that this now 20-year discography is their latest effort, Pain In To Power. Which while remaining in the present, the past has been summoned with original guitarist Todd Jones returning to the fold to produce the record.
Terror’s energetic New York hardcore style makes an expected return, focusing down their lyrical content of overcoming the dark days and trying to come out the other side a better human. “Unashamed” which included a feature from Year Of The Knife’s Madison Watkins and Crystal Pak echoes the ethos of solidarity, “I believe, still believe in these days, of brother and sisterhood“. It’s a middle finger to wider society who continue believe that hardcore is still merely rage addled music for angsty teenagers. Pain Into Power does take aim in places, including on track featuring Corpsegrinder. “Can’t help but hate – When I look your fucking way“, with the feature adding one of the heavier cuts to the record and a diversity to that feels fitting within Terror’s sound.
When moving into tracks such as “Can’t Let It Go” the beatdown and mosh inducing riffs take over, with a total assault from each element of Terror’s sound. With “Boundless Contempt” and “One Thousand Lies” embracing two-step beats and gang chants, Pain Into Power quickly becomes a record that has the total package for a hardcore record. Closer “Prepare For The Worst” leans into some serious guitar grooves before offering up Terror’s staple and historical beatdown sound that reminds listeners why Terror have become beloved over the past 20 years.
Over its brief 18 minute run time, Pain Into Power offers up what you’d expect from Terror, some good fucking hardcore music. Huge gang chants, furious beatdowns and tracks that will make a room leap off stages and move side to side. Terror have honed their craft and are now simply doing what they do best with their sound, and while listeners who were unable to get into their sound will unlikely have their minds changed by Pain Into Power. At this point they are the ones missing out from one of America’s finest hardcore bands both in studio and in a live setting.
8/10
Pain Into Power is out via End Hits Records and can be purchased here.