4.0 out of 5 stars
Socially charged hardcore from East L.A., November 22, 2003
This review is from: Symptoms of Humanity (Audio CD)
After a trio of albums with Epitaph, this East L.A. trio has waxed their latest with Disaster Records. The focal point remains squarely on Jose Mercado's word-packed lyrics and his blistering vocals. Bassist Rudy Ramos and drummer Louie Villareal provide overdrive rhythm backup. Though the band is often described as "Latino Hardcore," their sound is more reminiscent of Black Flag, Fear, and Bad Religion.
Mercado delivers his lyrics in a fusillade that often obscures both their bilingualism (three of the album's sixteen tracks are in Spanish), and the words themselves. The CD booklet reveals his philosophical thoughts on the manipulation of society, and the fallout to faith, humanity, national sovereignty, mortality, free-will, self-doubt, war, the New World Order, paranoia, and much more. Once you've read the lyrics in the CD's booklet, the relentless musical attack forms the explosive underline to Mercado's sentences.
It's unfortunate that hardcore remains such an acquired taste, as Mercado's songs deserve to be heard more widely.
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