Customer Reviews

Back Breaker

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is, without a doubt, rock solid. Not quite as heavy as A Chorus Of Obliteration and not as southern rock as Temptation Come My Way. You still hear a pull to both styles in each song. Clearly the best song on the album (in my humble opinion) is Achilles: The Backbreaker. A strong return to their heavier material while holding true to their southern roots. The songs are loosely based around Greek mythology while maintaining a Christian heart. I highly recommend this album for any metal fan.

"Beardsly"

One reviewer said they sounded like Disturbed and Slipknot but I also hear a lot of Corrosion of Conformity mixed with latter era Testament. Maybe a more modern edge but they took Breath of the Swamp from the last album and added an anvil to their sound. Even have some hints of deathy style vox at times but not overwhelmingly so. These guys are carrying the metal flag with pride and this shows they have real knack for writing a catchy song that can be fast yet still crush your cranium then slow it down to let their southern sludge sound shine through. Nice to see Solid State pick these guys up. Now, go smash something.

This is one of the best metal albums I have heard all year. The band melds the right mix of growling metal sing, to piercing metal screams to create an incredible experience for the entire album. The Showdown is known for its techical prowess and this album certainly does not let anyone down who is looking for incredibly tight musicians laying down heavy metal. The concept of the greek gods incorporated into the song titles and lyrics were an added bonus, and to be honest shows me a little biased because of my interest in the material. Well wortth the money I have loaned it out 2x and both have purchased copies for themselves, its just that good!

The Showdowns third album is not disappointing at all, being not as hardcore as the 1st album and not as southern as their 2nd. Back Breaker combines both albums elements adding in Norse mythology titles that head over christian spiritual warfare lyrics that fit perfectly into the titles definitions. I myself was disappointed along with other friends of mine over Temptations rather drastic change, although not a bad change, it seemed a little to early to change the elements of their music, because IMO Obliteration was one of the best albums ever made. However the Showdown redeemed themselves with this album, combining the CD's to satisfy both audiences with heavy lyrics, growls, riffs and strums that want to make you head bang the night away.

Awesome CD. I've had it for a couple of weeks and it is already one of my favorites. It took a couple of times through, but it really grows on you.

This is a really good album. I would say it is a mix of the good stuff from Brand New Sin's s/t and Stone Sour's s/t. I thought on their previous effort they were trying too much to be Nickelback. This is a good comeback.

This record is good, let me get that out of the way first. Its not a bad record. If I could I'd give it 4.5 but 4 is good enough. Its not as technical as I would have liked and the lyrics aren't as Christian or spiritual but they aren't one of those "satanic" bands. They are still Christians writing some positive songs (see song of hope) but I still hope the next record is more like the first when it comes to lyrics cause that album had some very Christian tunes (laid to rest) regardless the music here is like a mix of a chorus, and temptation come my way. The vocal style isn't as radio friendly as temptation but they still aren't as hard core as chorus. They sound more gravely or "rough" but the growls here and there bring back the chorus days a little bit.
Another thing, the guitars while very good aren't as memorable as on temptation. Songs like "we die young" or "I victim" but they still show talent. Tracks like "the beginning" the albums intro, and "back breaker" are great pump up songs for working out. The new version of "give us this day" is also very heavy.
As is this album will find a good middle ground for fans of previous albums. Some will say its not as heavy and some will want more temptation but I however improve of it. I'm just hoping they up the Christian themes on album four.

the beginning song on this album prepares you for the second song which is a definite slobberknocker. these guys sound like Slayer went for a positive vibe. personally, I would not insult these guys by comparing them to Disturbed or Slipknot. these guys are more talented than Disturbed. I like the Greek theme these guys have going. Destroy The Runner is another band that has the Greek theme too.

It's awesome... What else can I say? It is so freaking awesome that I cannot stop playing it in my car. God has truly blessed these 4 believers to create perhaps the most intense Christian metal I have ever heard. If you first heard of these guys when they released "Temptation Come My Way" in 2007, you have been missing out big time!

The Showdown has returned back to their roots and have brought back all of the screaming, growling vocals, and hardcore metal elements that made their first album "Chorus of Obliteration" an absolute masterpiece. The 1980's rock n'roll elements that were present on their previous albums are nearly gone and The Showdown has stepped more into an early 90's thrash metal style. Now also keep in mind that there are also elements from "Temptation" in the album making "Back Breaker" a great mix between their first and second album.

Their first song, an interlude called "The Beginning", serves as a strong piece that lets all listeners know that they are in for a heavy ride from beginning to end. "The Hammer of the Gods" fits perfectly on track #2 and talks about a man going up against a strong enemy of God and he is murdered for not renouncing his faith in the Lord. "The Disillusionaire" is flat-out awesome and deals with a goddess causing a man to fall back into sin and the man chooses to fight back. "The Backbreaker" is a call to all Christians not to be conformed to the world and to rise up and stand for your beliefs.

If you're a believer in the Lord, most of the lyrics will hit you dead in the face as down right Christian songs but there is alot to like about this album even for nonbelievers. Definately for fans of Christian metal and for anyone who loves Pantera, Metallica, and Testament.

If you like face melting, heart pounding, high voltage heavy metal, this is your new drug. Once again the southern boys bring us talent-filled heavy metal that will make you want to mosh right in your own living room. Buy this CD and stand back you will want to kick someone in the face. \m/