AlbumsNovember 29, 201118,876 views

Terror Always The Hard Way


Always The Hard Way
01. All For Revenge 02. Strike You Down 03. Survival Comes Crashing In 04. Always The Hard Way 05. Lost 06. Last Of The Diehards 07. So Close To Defeat 08. Test My Convictions 09. Hell To Pay 10. One Step Behind 11. You Can't Break Me 12. Dibbs And Murs Check In 13. Hardship Belongs To Me 14. Smash Through You
2006 Trustkill Records
Our score 6

by Cory
8/2/2006

Terror began 4 years ago as the collaboration of hardcore legend Scott Vogel and guitarist Todd Jones, then fresh off of success with short-lived but much-loved straight edge band Carry On. Before they even released their debut they were one of the most popular hardcore acts around and both that record and its follow-up, One With The Underdogs, are contemporary hardcore classics. Right after recording One With The Underdogs however, Jones left the group to focus on Internal Affairs and Betrayed, while Vogel carried on with original members Doug Weber and Nick Jett, adding Jonathan Buske (The Promise, Another Victim) and Frank "3Gun" Novinec (Ringworm, Integrity, Hatebreed) to the fold. [Note: Novinec has since departed the band to focus on Hatebreed, being replaced by Martin Stewart of Donnybrook.] While these guys are certainly worthy additions to any band, Terror just isn't quite the same without Jones and this record is the proof. This time around, the recording was handled by Hatebreed/Icepick collaborator Zeuss and it definitely sounds the part. Everything about this record is huge, polished and tidy. To be honest, it sounds an awful lot like a Hatebreed record. Is it a bad thing Not necessarily. Hatebreed are a good hardcore band who have established a signature sound. Terror were on their way to similar status but this record just doesn't seem to be a step in the right direction. Many of the guitar lines don't seem out of place, but some of the arrangements and the overall aesthetic of the disc just leave a bad taste in my mouth. Always The Hard Way isn't a bad record by any means, but it seems that a series of concessions and changes have taken place over the last two years or so that have transformed Terror from a standout hardcore band into a less inspired imitator with "better" production values. I'd personally take the sound of either of the first two releases over this one any day. It seems like Scott Vogel and company may have anticipated this reaction to Always The Hard Way, as they have intentionally recreated the formula of One With The Underdogs almost exactly, as if to curb criticism of its differences. This time around Eddie Sutton from Leeway and Aaron Knuckles from Death Threat are the hardcore heavyweights brought in to do guest vocal duty instead of Jamey Jasta, Lord Ezec and Freddy Madball. Hardcore kid turned turntablist Mr. Dibbs and LA rapper Murs provide the hip-hop flavor previously supplied by Rakaa Iriscience of the Dilated Peoples. This time around though, these touches just don't supply the same charm. Eddie Sutton's appearance is nice and makes a lot of sense considering Vogel's worship of Leeway, but Aaron's vocals don't really do a lot for me. As far as Dibbs and Murs are concerned, their portion of the disc is nothing short of a fiasco. It's not a guest appearance or a shout-out, it's a full rap song. None of the members of Terror rap on the track and Dibbs' involvement suggests that they weren't responsible for the track's beat either. Why is it there then The world may never know. Bottom Line: If you're a fan of Terror this record probably won't do much to change that. Scott Vogel still supplies all the attitude and energy fans have come to expect, the band just isn't quite doing their part. This record is either a reminder of Jones' importance to the band's success or an example of an established band going through the motions knowing full well that this release will sell just as well as the last. I can't say for sure what's wrong with this record, but I can say for sure that it just isn't as good as their previous releases.

60 comments

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omgfirst_ 8/2/2006 10:07:01 AM

omg foist

cutter_ 8/2/2006 10:07:17 AM

Agreed. Bring back Todd Jones!

lord_gold_ 8/2/2006 10:13:43 AM

shit album shit band fight me

Mike_ 8/2/2006 10:38:34 AM

No mention of Buried Alive?? Also Buske left the band, and Gook from Agents of Man/Sworn Enemy/Cold As Life is now their bassist.

hotdogpizza_ 8/2/2006 10:40:35 AM

i think that you can hear a lot more of frank 3 guns contributions to this album and i wouldnt say this sounds like hatebreed at all even though it is "thrashier". the drumming is also top notch and not boring-the fills seem so good you can tell the guy has been listening to metal, sorry but its true. i would also say this record is much better than one with the underdogs, this review was rushed listen to the record again.

Cory_ 8/2/2006 11:57:56 AM

You can sort of hear Frank's influence, but it doesn't sound like Integrity and it barely resembles Ringworm. It sounds like Hatebreed, plain and simple.

truthsayer_ 8/2/2006 12:25:07 PM

^^---Exactly. I was hoping he'd bring some of his outstanding lead/solo playing to Terror, and so I was fairly disappointed with the results of this album. I agree wholeheartedly with this review.

blessedxcursed_ 8/2/2006 12:59:08 PM

first, no mention of Carl from First Blood since he was in the band a LOT longer than Buske. second, Nick Jett wrote most (if not all the record) and Carl recorded all the guitar and bass parts as it states in the CD book (although, this makes sense no one knows that because no one buys CDs anymore). this record is f*cking awesome... and I think as long as Scott, Nick, and Doug are doing the band it's gonna be Terror. Martin definitely adds a lot to the band and Gook is a rad dude. f*ck hate

Mike_ 8/2/2006 1:28:41 PM

Are you their PR person or something?

xBORINGx_ 8/2/2006 2:06:00 PM

Buske is actually still IN the band, the next many years of Terror's life will prove that.

Cory_ 8/2/2006 2:10:57 PM

I would maybe have known that bit about Carl if Trustkill had sent out a decent f*cking promo. Garth, you're a f*cking bitch of the worst kind and you've bought your way into a hardcore scene that you definitely don't deserve to be a part of. Shut the f*ck up and go back to sucking off everyone on the B9 and Deathwish boards.

blessedxcursed_ 8/2/2006 2:15:16 PM

touched a nerve did I? wah, go cry... and I bought into a hardcore scene? hahaha, that's funny... at least when I write a review I'll actually do some research before I start talking about a record... are you just butthurt that I called out all your mistakes?

Mike_ 8/2/2006 2:38:32 PM

Hey Garth, YOU are the mistake here for taking this band so seriously. Let me guess, you're in a gang? bwahahaha

wolfpack_ 8/2/2006 3:18:30 PM

what the f*ck are you smoking...just stop reviewing dude...shoot yourself please! a 6..haha

Cory_ 8/2/2006 4:34:21 PM

garth: it states nowhere in any of the band's press releases or on their official website, trustkill's website or the band's myspace that carl played anything on this record. the only way i could have possibly known that is if Trustkill had sent me a promo that was something more than a disc in a paper sleeve. also, you DID buy your way into the scene by releasing records that had already been recorded by bands that were already established. you're a f*cking douchebag and no amount of sucking

lambgoatkids_ 8/2/2006 5:01:56 PM

FIGHT HIM AT A SHOW!

anonymous 8/2/2006 5:42:43 PM

Cory = 1 Garth = 0 all of us = -2 for seeing this

IronBalls_ 8/2/2006 5:44:44 PM

I would like to genuinly agree to disagree with this review. The production of this album was way better for the band's style and sound than One With The Underdogs. Music isnt all that, but this album is slightly but definitely a step up from the last one. Sometimes you truly disappoint me Cory.

anonymous 8/2/2006 5:46:36 PM

Always The Hard Way > Lowest of The Low > One With The Underdogs. ps. Cory is a gay.

anonymous 8/2/2006 5:47:42 PM

this album is easily better than one with the underdogs.

blessedxcursed_ 8/2/2006 5:57:15 PM

so because Trustkill didn't send you a total promo you are crying to me about it? I'm confused on this? and lets see, most bands on my label released their first release and then moved on to another label... but okay, whatever dude... apparently I pissed in your cereal a long time ago somehow and you've got it out for me...

whitelambpowergoat_ 8/2/2006 6:23:56 PM

you mean this is a different record than one with the underdogs? I thought they were just re-releasing the same album over and over. damn.

xdaretoscreamx_ 8/2/2006 6:37:40 PM

no mention of leeway and true blue influences? most of the guitars sound like leeway riffs recorded by zeuss. cd is def better than "one with..." but def not worth a 8

bird216_ 8/2/2006 6:44:53 PM

To clarify some things from the thread: Matt Sorg Plays ALL lead guitars in Ringworm. And on the terror side: The record sounds more like Exodus than Hatebreed. This record is FAR superior than "One with the underdogs". Nick Jett wrote ALL music on this new release. Vocally, vogel hasn't sounded better. My personal complaints: I wish the songs were longer or that they would go back into a chorus more than once. Things from the review i agree with: The rap song is bad.

TonyVictory_ 8/2/2006 8:31:55 PM

Buried Alive was better

willxcore_ 8/2/2006 8:42:52 PM

i went to listen to a track on trustkill.com, i'm not a fan of terror or anything, i actually think they suck but i was curious. am i the only one that thinks it sounds an awful lot like fear factory? haha

anonymous 8/3/2006 2:07:10 AM

^^^^ you're an idiot, kill yourself ^^^^

Dustin After Time_ 8/3/2006 2:40:01 AM

This record is solid. 8 / 10

XOmeletX_ 8/3/2006 3:22:43 AM

no listen ever

CuntSnot_ 8/3/2006 3:23:37 AM

This band and this album beat the shit out of 99% of Hardcore bands...

Anthony _ 8/3/2006 3:31:25 AM

Cory is a gay...you don't like hardcore, you like dudes. I hope that Garth dude really did piss in your cereal pssy. I wonder if Cory has ever been to a hardcore show.This album is a great follow up to one with the underdogs. Cory,stop reviewing and take your mop top hair to your boyfriends house so you can comb each others hair and talk about how ground breaking the new Aiden cd is. Reviews and those reviewing are useless. who gives a shit what this pillow biter has to say about the new terror

sleazy p xvx_ 8/3/2006 3:55:19 AM

this band has never written a good song before. 0/10. oh, and by the way "good dudes" or "people" are capable of making shit music....just for your information.

riz_ 8/3/2006 6:29:08 AM

not to join in on this stupid argument going on here between cory and someone named "garth" (this must be what all the bands sing about in their internet-hatred songs...you guys are all such a waste of time)... but this review was definitely one of the weirdest one's i've read on lambgoat in a long time. just because Zeuss produced this - how does it sound at all like Hatebreed? first of all, Terror guitars aren't tuned down like Hatebreeds - anyone in any sense physics of sound would know th

TheWood_ 8/3/2006 1:49:23 PM

They really don't sound that much like Hatebreed on this record and they sure as f*ck don't sound like Fear Factory (thank god). Always The Hard Way is solid, top to bottom. Although, I was slightly disappointed with the cameos by Murs and Mr. Dibbs; it sounded like they put that track together in no more than 5 minutes. Anyone who is familiar with past work of both Murs and/or Mr. Dibbs knows that they have a lot more to offer than what is displayed here.

gozer_ 8/3/2006 5:18:50 PM

cry about it why dont you?

hotdogpizza_ 8/3/2006 5:54:48 PM

why dont all former members of sworn vengeance just go back to that and quit all their other bands-including terror. i think that would make everyone happy. more jesus slamming hardcore=more smiles.

TonyVictory_ 8/4/2006 12:43:06 AM

Slugfest & Despair were better

anonymous 8/4/2006 1:00:09 AM

this album is good, cory is a gay

Vogel_ 8/4/2006 1:43:07 AM

Yo what you all NEED to do is give it up for my man NICK JETT the dude wrote the entire f*cking lp from SCRATCH. We respect EVERYONE so you best not be disrespecting us, kid. See you all on tour. -Vogel

TonyVictory_ 8/4/2006 11:37:53 PM

Vogel, come back to Victory...no more vans...only jets, busses and limos..that's how we roll

Steve_ 8/5/2006 6:05:09 AM

This band is unorigonal and bores me when i listen to it, f*ck you breakdowns and f*ck you hardcore.

Broseph_ 8/5/2006 12:35:48 PM

this band has sucked since the demo. Slugfest was great, buried alive was better. Terror just sounds like a rehash of the bullshit fairweather "old school" hardcore that all the stupid hardcore are jocking. One with the Underdogs was crap and so was everything before and after. Comtemporary hardcore classic my ass.

fetch_ 8/5/2006 2:00:40 PM

shitty review. good album, far better than one with the underdogs. also sounds nothing like a hatebreed record.

youhavenoidead_ 8/5/2006 5:50:58 PM

So this is "thrashier", straight forward, fast hardcore? Terror is f*cking boring as hell. I would give this record a 2, if that. Why does everyone go apeshit for this band? I would recommend burning your entire record collection if you feel this is as good as hardcore gets. This is hardcore for "hot topic kids" or however that saying goes.

Pat_the_gates_ 8/5/2006 8:46:09 PM

This band sucks complete shit. MTV2-core gays. Go f*ck yourselves hxc gays, leave metal out of your shit gimmicky hardcore. JUN JUN JUN STFU!

anonymous 8/6/2006 12:11:09 PM

By that logic, Gorilla Biscuits were metal (palm-muted chords, aka 'JUN JUNS'). Terror is a HARDCORE band, these dudes are vets of this scene. If you hate it, fine, waste your energy. But calling this out as bogus throwback music is bullshit.

jim_ 8/7/2006 2:51:18 PM

why the f*ck did they need to put out another album that sounds exactly the same as the last one so soon

jim_ 8/7/2006 2:52:17 PM

i mean i like them and all but how many cds/dvds can they pump out

ThisxBlessedxThisxFag_ 8/7/2006 9:50:24 PM

im gay, nw record out on thisblesed this gay recordings

Gay Man_ 8/7/2006 11:00:23 PM

i live "the hard way" too

Rob G_ 8/10/2006 6:32:46 AM

Pffff, a 6... Hahaha, why do I even bother checking this site, so lame...

ckk_ 8/12/2006 4:49:15 PM

im homo as f*ck

ktownhcore_ 8/15/2006 2:30:03 PM

terror=sellout hardcore to make money, not music

sic blud_ 8/25/2006 11:57:48 AM

man, terror is thr most unterraded band in metal rite now. u f*cks don't no wut good metal is. this is the hardest cd to come out since fear factery put out obsolete. the reason terror is so un populur is bc they have screaming in evry 1 of there songs. f*ckin, the screamin is wut makes them good. ne1 else can go listen to all american rejects emo homos. u guys probably have nvr been to a real metal concert, if ne1 disagrees, check out my band

sic blud_ 8/25/2006 11:59:39 AM

oh ya lol, i 4got to tell u the name of my band. pathogen cliff. look 4 us on myspace or purevolume,

throwbreedengage_ 12/17/2006 10:10:53 PM

old shits better, theres a difference from being a hardcore band and have rap song about hardcore. since when did wiggers f*ck up hardcore!

xBBBx_ 1/12/2007 12:24:35 PM

Terror is and will always be HARDCORE no matter what.

FICKLExFUCKER_ 3/1/2007 3:24:03 PM

I disagree with this review. Always The Hard Way is a great album. Scott Vogel (sound wise) is much more pissed off and has much more to be pissed off about. But "Smash Through You" seems to be out of place because it is very "self hating". not common with HC.

james_ 3/13/2008 10:56:35 PM

i'm just gonna say this cause i always wanted to but this sounds nothing like hatebreed at all. at all. i don't even think cory really listened to it.

anonymous 6/5/2008 5:22:04 PM

Trust me after hearing their new album, "The Damned The Shamed", You'll appreciate this album a whole lot more...Trust me, their new album is horrible