All Hell Breaks Loose

All Hell Breaks Loose (2004)

Derrick

Now, I'm not normally one for uber-broham breakdowns and the like (actually, I am into that stuff but not as much as most of the other stuff I like) but this disc is brutal as shit. The anger contained in here is unbelievably fierce and uncompromising. From the dark strings of the intro, you know this isn't gonna be a pleasant experience; then "The Butcher" kicks in and straight into a brutal circle pit riff we go.

As goes the formula for this CD, this soon gives way to a back-cracking breakdown. Indeed, the record is formulaic: fast punk circle pit beat, two-step part, breakdown, two-step, breakdown, sing-along etc., but they pull it off really well somehow. I'm not easily impressed when it comes to this worn-out genre, but these guys have a spark that even I can't deny. They certainly know how to get the dance floor moving. Check out the breakdowns in "Showdown At The House Of Blue Leaves" and "Family Portrait" and see if you can stand still listening to them. Didn't think so. Those are probably my highlight tracks; the sing-along in "Showdown…" is inteeense.

There's not much else that can be said about this record. It's fucking heavy and it'll get you dancing…and that's really all you need in this genre, honestly.

Unfortunately for everyone who loved this band and everyone who called them friends, Joe Lamadrid, their drummer, passed on in November of last year. The band subsequently broke up, understandably. Their last show was about a month ago and I was lucky enough to be there. I tell you I've never seen that level of emotion at a show of this type and they played one of the most brutal sets I've ever seen. R.I.P. Joe and All Hell.