The Golden Age – Unlock Yourself

Today’s hardcore scene is healthier than ever; but I think you have to dig a little below the surface when finding the real good stuff.  Case and point: Panic Records.  The label is fairly new, and compared to the larger conglomerates like Victory Records, Panic doesn’t have a broad distribution base.  Yet everything I’ve heard off of this label is rock solid.  Their latest release and newest signing, Unlock Yourself by The Golden Age, is no exception, and fits with Panic Records’ discography like a glove.

Unlock Yourself is a great slice of melodic hardcore, but should also appeal to fans of more chaotic aspects of the genre. It’s a little like Rise Against or Strike Anywhere, but with more anger and less melody.  The band also briefly integrates metalcore into songs like “Live Together, Die Alone;” but instrumentally the band is far more punk-rock than metal.

Once the lyrics start, the band’s posicore perspective really takes hold.  Personally, I enjoy hopeful lyrics in hardcore.  I find they give anger a purpose and inspire hope for the future, so Unlock Yourself really clicked with me.  While some tracks define the band as straight edge, The Golden Age presents their values respectfully so that even those outside their ideology can understand them.  For example, while “The Constant” idolizes Minor Threat’s ideals, promoting veganism and an alcohol free lifestyle, the band doesn’t push their beliefs on others, even taking a step back to say “If you’re gonna do it do it for yourself and not just to fit in.  This isn’t for everyone but it’s what makes sense to me.”  What the band does push though is peace and unity.  The best example being the cries to “Unify for Equality!” in the energetic track, “The Flame.”  The Golden Age present a humble front and a hopeful message – change through compassion – it’s not necessarily unique, but it is uplifting.

When all is said and done, Unlock Yourself further cements Panic Records as the go to people for quality hardcore.  The melodies are tight, the lyrics sincere, and their message hopeful.  And while there aren’t many surprises awaiting the listener, Unlock Yourself is an incredibly solid outing.  Any fans of hardcore or rough punk owe it to themselves to give The Golden Age a spin.