Cast Aside – The Struggle

I wrote a review for this cd a while back, then one day I decided to read what I had said and I was just disappointed at my lack of knowing anything. So a few months have passed since I even took a look at it(rewriting has been a work in progress) and to my delight it was no longer even up on this site. So I opened up my writing program and turned on Cast Aside and got ready to rewrite this.

As far as hardcore bands go, Cast Aside is easily one of my favorites, and even though they’re very heavy I wouldn’t consider them anything but hardcore. Not to mention also very straight edge; the songHonor is about being straight edge, and its lyrics happen to be very militant. Their sound reminds me of Death Before Dishonor and Embrace Today, two other favorites of mine. I think what I love most about this band is how pissed off they sound, it makes me either want to dance or punch someone who broke edge. It’s pretty much what the music is made for, fightin’ and dancing, I can almost see the pit right now; it would probably be like most shows, filled with people wearing band tees and camo and/or basketball shorts. But anyway’s, the band sounds great. The vocals are shouted in what I can only describe as a violent barrage of harsh words. The guitar and the drums fit perfectly together to make songs with some of the best throwdown riffs and beats I’ve ever heard. The guitarists are pretty quick to switch from palm muting to playing normally which seems to decrease the chugginess of their music and make it sound even faster. The drummer has some of the best sounding double kick patterns that I’ve come across and he definitely does a good job playing the rest of his drum kit. Unfortunately, the bass is just kind of a background instrument in this band and it pretty much just plays along with the second guitar. I cannot stress how much I’d like to see these guys play, it could be nothing short of amazing. We simply don’t have enough militant straight edge bands, I’m tired of having to smell weed and cigarettes at shows(actually I’m tired of smelling it anywhere). Not to mention drunk people in pits are a burden, if they aren’t fighting, then they’re getting knocked out and tripping people up who are just trying to mosh or dance.

There is no reason not to have this cd, everyone needs at least one straight edge band in their cd collection. As far as most new hardcore bands go, the majority seem to lean towards a more metal influence,Cast Aside is right in the middle. So chances are if you’re a hardcore fan or a “metalcore” fan, you’ll probably end up liking this album. It’s just a shame that it’s not any longer, I’m sure I could take much more than 20 minutes of Cast Aside(the album is 20 minutes long, just in case you missed my subtle reference).Check this band out!