AlbumsNovember 29, 201112,252 views

Hoods The King Is Dead


The King Is Dead
01. The King Is Dead 02. Lost Hope 03. Drawn Out 04. 26 Seconds Of Hate 05. Ernie Cortez 06. Heartless 07. Coward 08. Addicted To Dying 09. This Time 10. End Of Days
2005 Eulogy Recordings
Our score 6

by Cory
10/20/2005

As far back as I can remember, Hoods have been a support act for the heavyweights of the hardcore world. While the bands on top have come and gone, Hoods have never gotten their day in the limelight, despite a fairly loyal following and highly visible releases on labels like Stillborn and Victory. After spending a few hours with their latest, The King Is Dead, I think I understand why they've eternally been doomed to mid-level notoriety despite their longevity. Hoods repeatedly produce good hardcore records that are poorly marketed and, frankly, aren't creative enough to set them apart from the pack. There's no lack of heart, no flaws in production or performance and no real downfalls to speak of, but there's just not a lot on this release to make them your favorite band either. If you're a fan of angry, tough-guy hardcore but want substance with your breakdowns, Hoods is an excellent alternative to the mind-numbing stupidity and repetition of the most recent wave of mosh-core garbage. Sure there's lyrics like "conversations get bad / motherfuckers get stabbed," but there are also quite a few mature reflections on mortality like a tribute to a fallen friend ("Ernie Cortez") and the complementary verbal assault on a god that allows tragedy to strike ("Heartless"). Songs like the aptly titled "26 Seconds of Hate" are just plain fun to listen to and that's one of this disc's strongest points. Not once in twenty minutes does The King Is Dead get boring, and each of the songs has its own personality, like the handful of piano notes in "Drawn Out." Bottom Line: If anyone can get away with playing tough-guy hardcore these days, it's Hoods. These guys have been playing for over a decade and have consistently put out quality releases. While they may not stand out from the pack, they certainly do fit in nicely, right next to Madball, Hatebreed and Skarhead in the pantheon of "beatdown" hardcore bands. While Hatebreed and Madball have managed to gain enough momentum to make a living off playing hardcore, Hoods definitely do what they do out of love and respect, and it shows on The King Is Dead.

20 comments

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carl the truth_ 10/20/2005 8:20:01 PM

HHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOFLEM

tigolebitties_ 10/20/2005 8:22:08 PM

uno

Brian Peppers_ 10/20/2005 9:37:01 PM

Great music to beat to!

har_har_ 10/20/2005 10:03:15 PM

good band

mefuckyeah_ 10/20/2005 11:12:49 PM

98% of tough guy hardcore bands blow. but The Hoods own and you all know it. 10/10 bitch

bolognapony_ 10/21/2005 3:13:18 AM

I've seen the Hoods live once. I listened to them before that, but I always thought they were a 6/10 band. After seeing them live, I am willing to give them a permanent 7/10, and occasionally an 8/10. Fun band, good guys.

joehardcore_ 10/21/2005 5:16:07 AM

words like toughguy and beatdown were created to describe a group of bands and a certain sound. now anything that is remotely heavy gets this label. its not only misleading but its way off mark in this case.

foojah_ 10/21/2005 5:48:45 AM

last time i saw this band mikey hoods was eating fries while playing and telling racial jokes...it was awesome.

xgregx_ 10/21/2005 2:59:10 PM

HOODS are a tight, fun band live. I fully back them and I can't wait to pick up this CD.

spit_ 10/21/2005 6:07:29 PM

f*ck yes hoods destroy everybody! get your teeth kicked in bitches!

Strongarm_ 10/21/2005 7:32:06 PM

f*ck I'm so sick of these tough-guy bands and their macho meathead attitides that go along w/ them and their fans, but Hoods seem to do it out of pure genuine love and respect and not for the sake of being tough, like 99% of the rest of the shitty no talent tough-guy bands out there today.

Biggy_BTL_ 10/22/2005 11:01:05 PM

already got this shit,10/10.shits hot

HC4EverDistro_ 10/23/2005 10:55:56 PM

http://www.hc4everdistro.shoppingcartsplus.com/home.html

mydixiewrecked_ 10/24/2005 11:24:31 AM

without a doubt the best hoods album yet. can't wait to see them again.

sXeSolider_ 10/25/2005 5:13:23 PM

Man this album BLOWS!!!! SO BORING! Save your money.

hxchris_ 10/25/2005 10:15:29 PM

great band

daveheck_ 1/13/2006 8:43:22 PM

great album.

throwbreedengage10_ 12/20/2006 6:03:14 PM

9/10! prefect hardcore album of 05 besides the throwdown vendetta.

gfdgsgdgdf_ 1/21/2007 11:17:33 PM

gfdsgsd

KILL YOURSELF_ 9/3/2008 6:36:30 PM

If you listen to this dumb shit you should probably...............