AlbumsNovember 29, 201112,790 views

Agnostic Front Another Voice


Another Voice
01. Still Here 02. All Is Not Forgotten AUDIO 03. Fall of the Parasite 04. Pride, Faith, Respect 05. So Pure To Me 06. Dedication 07. Peace 08. Take Me Back 09. Hardcore (The Definition) 10. Casualty of the Times 11. No One Hears You 12. I Live It 13. It's For Life 14. Another Voice
2004 Nuclear Blast Records
Our score 5

by Cory
3/13/2005

Rising from the mean streets of New York City in 1983, Agnostic Front have blazed a trail that literally thousands of bands have followed in the last twenty years. They are among the first real "hardcore" bands ever conceived and among the last men standing of that long-bygone era. They've had their share of success and failure, appreciation and scorn. Two decades after the release of their genre-defining classic Victim in Pain, Agnostic Front has brought us their eleventh studio recording Another Voice, an attempt to prove their continued viability in an ever-changing hardcore scene. With Roger Miret having let out his punk rock urges on the Disasters' albums, AF have recreated themselves in their own image: as a tough-guy NYHC band. While I can't say I'm blown away by the results of this musical rebirth, it's definitely a step in a positive direction. I had planned on holding my major complaint about this disc until after I had discussed the positive, but as I listen to this disc time and again, it's the thing that sticks out most to me: the vocals. While I've never been a huge fan of Miret's stylings, they are unbearable on this disc. He sounds more like Dave Brockie's costumed counterpart Oderus Urungus (of GWAR) than any sort of hardcore singer I've ever heard. The only hardcore fan I can imagine these vocals appealing to are those who can stomach 25 Ta Life. I suppose it's respectable that Miret is still going strong after all these years, but his attempt at adapting his vocals to their more current style makes this album an unpleasant listening experience out of an otherwise enjoyable album. While I can't really complain about the musical content of the disc, there is a certain curious irony at work here. For this record, Agnostic Front seem to have been influenced heavily by the bands they themselves influenced. The hand of producers Zeuss and Jamey Jasta is all over this record. Joining AF veterans Vinnie Stigma and Miret are Mike and Steve Gallo of On The Rise. This addition may have something to do with the band's newfound sound as well, but Miret and former guitarist Matt Henderson were behind all the songwriting for the disc. Honestly, if this record had surfaced with Jamey Jasta's vocals on it, I would've believed it was a Hatebreed record minus the pseudo-metal riffs. Jasta does contribute vocals, alongside hardcore legends Karl Buechner of Earth Crisis and Scott Vogel of Buried Alive, Despair and Terror. The songs are relatively formulaic and the lyrics aren't anything to brag about, but I don't think it's fair to fault Agnostic Front for sounding a lot like an updated version of classic New York hardcore. They did invent it after all. I was a bit disappointed to know that with over fifty years collectively of hardcore living under their belt, Miret and Co. weren't able to offer any sage-like words of wisdom or personal insight to those who carry the torch of hardcore in 2005. Anyone who's ever heard a record Zeuss produced should know essentially what this sounds like. Some of the usual thickness has been peeled away to let AF's punk rock roots shine through, but other than that, the metalcore double bass click and Hatebreed-esque guitar tone dominate this album. Bottom Line: It was nice to see that guys who invented hardcore are still interested in keeping it going and contributing to its future, but this record just didn't match up to the classics. If it weren't for the vocals, this disc would've been a much more welcome addition to my music collection. I still recommend this for die-hard Agnostic Front fans and people who aren't easily turned off by terrible vocals, but I can't say a whole lot more.

27 comments

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AzzArea_ 3/13/2005 9:11:20 AM

first post!!

xlionox_ 3/13/2005 11:39:19 AM

i dont mind the vocals so much...they are kinda weird but not as terrible as he makes them sound

kenwregget_ 3/13/2005 12:58:00 PM

Perfect review, vocals are actually one of the only strong points. Roger has always sounded constipated.

Its Tragic_ 3/13/2005 3:48:09 PM

Ol' Roger sounds ridiculous, i hope they bring the slut grinder on tour, i cant wait to get eaten by the world maggot.

horseheadxbookends_ 3/13/2005 5:35:11 PM

Lenny from OTR is also in the band

zeroxthexhero_ 3/13/2005 9:52:06 PM

sounds like they got tony danza to sing for them. but i do like this album

fjsfn_ 3/14/2005 9:10:15 AM

"with over fifty years collectively of hardcore living under their belt" Fifty? What?

Hank_ 3/14/2005 11:47:23 AM

I was laughing my ass off when i saw their new video on MTV. They cant reproduce their sound on the record live. So putting all the pro tools double bass was a mistake. The vocals are crap too. This record sucks.

generic_gimmick_ 3/14/2005 12:13:13 PM

You get fifty by adding together each members' years in hardcore, hence "collectively."

yourcityliesindust_ 3/14/2005 12:34:19 PM

The vocals are kind of unnerving but the record is still good.

mcikeyoneill_ 3/14/2005 12:58:27 PM

i am definetely not too well-versed with agnostic front's old shit, but i picked up their new album in an attempt to educate myself. i thought that this guy's vocals were always done that way, and didn't want to say that i thought they sucked, but i guess it's true: they suck and suck horribly. the tone in his voice is horribly annoying, and regardless of how good the music may be, i couldn't get past 3 songs on this shit without having to pull the plug.

TheWood_ 3/14/2005 6:57:09 PM

I will always be a fan these guys, even if their newer albums don't completely match up with their older ones. They are the definition of hardcore. You can't front on the Front!

natas-101_ 3/15/2005 11:43:23 AM

Roger has got to be close to 50. I grew up listening to this band, I haven't heard this yet, but I was told that it's more like "One Voice" than "Cause for Alarm" or "And Justice For..." which are my favorites. Roger has always had a wierd voice but having Karl do guest vocals is weak, that f*cker should crawl into a hole under a rock.

PALMER LCC_ 3/16/2005 5:02:37 PM

Your a f*cking moron Karl STILL IS one of the most brilliant songwriters in hardcore, and has more dedicaton STILL then most people half his age. tosser

sola_ 3/17/2005 4:32:13 AM

i agree with the commentary on the vocals

natas-101_ 3/17/2005 10:58:24 AM

f*ck Straight Edge and f*ck you Rosie! Karl is a f*cking fraud, and he is no "songwriter". His vocals suck a c-ck too, the only thing EC ever did that was remotely cool was Firestorm, and you've probably never even heard that. If you really think that being a pretend millitant vegan straight edge moron is a way of life you can f*ck off.

Anthony_ 3/17/2005 3:54:04 PM

Everyone on this message board is a whiny f*cking pssy.So is the guy would rated this album. Shouldnt they have people who actually listen(and go to hardcore shows)review hardcore cds? This isnt juliana theory or norma jean or whatever gay f*cking band all you gays will bust a nut over.(by the way both of those bands f*cking suck, and there a bunch of pussies). Agnostic Front rules, the singing is their style and its f*ckin hardcore. So to all the emo/death/metal followers talking shit,go revie

Jersey Jay_ 3/17/2005 6:01:58 PM

I hate to say this but Rogers vocals have never been great but on this album he really sucks. Musically I have no problem with this album but its just another A.F. album with really nothing new about it. I have been listening to A.F. since back in the day 1984 and I always follow them because they are OG but I think this should be it. Let Hatebreed and Terror carry this music forward. I won't buy any A.F. albums after this, they are just milking as much as they can out of the scene an

PALMER LCC_ 3/18/2005 10:44:03 AM

Dude your a f*ck and i hope your first born daughter drips aids into your mouth while you sleep. Seriosly f*ckin bite it coming on here and acting like you know him personally or know his personla politics when you dont. the guy is still a f*ckng militant vegan and still can be found at the back of clubs watching bands every week so f*ckin choke. The only good thing exc did was firestorm? man i could write a f*cking book on how stupid and wrong you are.

natas-101_ 3/18/2005 8:48:31 PM

Chill out Rosie, if you and Karl's jr. are happy together that's fine, it just means that there at least two ignorant f*ck holes roaming the planet. I know plenty about Karl having known people who lived in the 'cuse when ec was first coming up (and his first shit band, the name escapes me). Trust me, when you grow up you will realize that there are far more important issues in life than being vegan and SE, if that's your personal choice that's fine, but to try to force that on anyone else is i

natas-101_ 3/18/2005 8:54:00 PM

Oh yeah, I've got a Green Rage 7" and a Vegan Reich 7" on ebay, why don't you pay way too much for them since nobody cares about that "the foetus is a life" shit anymore but you and Karl.

Dee-mo_ 3/19/2005 6:45:25 AM

natas, shut your mouth. suck it up. Im living in some f*ckhole of an accuse for a parent, and I help my pops pay rent....so shut your f*ckin mouth,this world isnt breakin your balls. Earth Crisis rules. I dont care about all your pussies conspiracy theories. THEY RULE, END IT. None of you kids will ever amount to what theyve accomplished. Theres a reason why there so big,its because they own. I hate all of you gays...except for That dude a couple comments up who called you guys a bunch of whinni

Skinhead J_ 3/19/2005 6:45:31 PM

f*ck all these Straight Edge pussies. I like to eat steak, drink Jack Daniels and smoke bud. Go preach to someone who gives a f*ck. Earth Crisis suck dck. This is about Agnostic Front not about your gay ass lifestyle. Live hard or die.

PALMER LCC_ 3/20/2005 3:15:13 PM

oh yeah and karl the rich kid?? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHHAA what a f*ckin fluke. and good for your dad workin his ass off, buy him a dropkick murphys cd and shake his hand. what a miserable f*ckin prick you are nate. maybe you should come back to the cuse and see all these frauds in action. or maybe catch karl in his limosine. call his rep or something. ass

natas-101_ 3/21/2005 3:36:38 PM

Hey, dumbshit, this review was for AF, not EC. Let it go, I think Earth Crisis sucks, you like them, whatever. I think Karl is full of shit, based on what I've been told from people who lived there (Sean Ingram) then, you do have to admit that a bass player that smokes pot in a straight edge band is pretty much bullshit, but you disagree, that's fine. I just pesonally feel that there is no good reason to have Karl doing vocals on an AF record, and I don't get it... that was my point. That's like

justin_ 5/12/2005 11:43:27 AM

agnostic front is the shit. they always have been and always will be. The new record is a little too moshy, but it has grown on me. No one (ESPECIALLY ON THIS SITE!) should hate on agnostic front, without them, hardcore as we know it wouldn't be the same...neither would metal, metalcore, or punk rock. and yes metal and metalcore...even jake bannon flat out said that converge is influenced by them. stop hatin kiddos.

anonymous 7/8/2022 10:49:47 PM

Whhaaaat are you guys talking about , Roger's vocals on this album are f*ckin wicked sick. This is probably his best vocal performance. This is probably my favorite Agnostic Front album! When this came out I f*ckin hit the roof hearing this for the first time! -JS