No Apologies
Survival (2007)
Brian Shultz
No Apologies should never have to offer such, because despite carrying a meaty, heavy hardcore sound seemingly inspired by the likes of Cro-Mags and (early) No Warning, they temper their standard fare lyrics with vivid imagery and a coating that's harsh without thick-headedness.
Thick's a good word to describe their musical bravado, though. And one look at the hilarious subtlety -- and scenic flair, as well -- of the Australian act's album cover and one knows they're willing to mix it up. Survival is varied enough in tempos and structure to make up for its occasional dullness and mildly lengthy course (35 mins.); track 5, "Mandala" is even a soft instrumental of distant percussion work and piano.
If No Apologies' presentation isn't impressive enough (aforementioned artwork, blunt song titles, chunky sound), they even boast Todd Jones as a writing credit for two tracks: "Crushed" and "Survival." The rest of the one-word song titles (minding "Dying to Live," "Can't Won't" and "No One" of course) features those familiar metallic licks, a few pure solos and infrequent double-bass rolls, but never to the point of overbearing -- a bit cheesy, sure, but not entirely suffocating.
There isn't much more to say. If you usually aren't one for this style, No Apologies' sporadic moments of real ambition may be enough to pull you in; if you're already part of the crowd and looking for something a little different, this could be it.