Album Review: Stray From The Path - 'Anonymous'

13 September 2013 | 12:31 pm | Staff Writer
Originally Appeared In

At least someone is still fighting the machine.

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Stray From The Path have always had something about them that sets the band apart from most other hardcore bands. A little quirk, something unique that steers them away from the often paint-by-numbers elements of the genre.

Their latest release 'Anonymous' is no exception. This time however, the music far outweighs the lyrical content in this field. More so than ever before, the band are taking their cues from groups like Rage Against The Machine, the chant like, pump up lyrics, the groove heavy riffs and hip-hop influenced beats, it's new age Rage.

Opening track 'False Flag' is cathartic chaos at its best. Vocalist Andrew York spits his lyrics in a high pitched tone, while the drums blast punk paced beats matched with squealing guitar lines. It's pretty much exactly how the record needs to begin, energetic, aggressive and unforgiving. 'Badge And A Bullet' is the main reason for the earlier RATM comparisons, and is the main moment in which the band pull it off extremely well.

The first of the two guest appearances follows with Stick To Your Guns frontman Jesse Barnett letting loose on the punk drenched 'Radio' before letlive's Jason Aalon steals the guest star spot light with his smooth yet aggressive vocals on 'Scissor Hands'.

There is certainly a stronger political focus lyrically for the rest of the songs, the band heavily question our freedom and are clearly unhappy with their current government, a theme that has always been present throughout their works, but more so here for some reason. The penultimate moment in which the lyrics fall flat is 'Counting Sheep', a song with far too many social media references to be considered any kind of good.

Luckily, the band picks things back up with some serious groove and mosh in their riffs for the closing tracks, 'Landmines' and title track 'Anonymous'. The first of which has actually been included in the band’s live set for some time now and doubles as the album’s latest single.

It is hard to say that 'Anonymous' is up their with some of Stray from The Path's best works. It is certainly awesome, with the band delivering pretty much what you would expect from them, perhaps with a little more aggression if possible. Considering it is their seventh record a few more surprises would be nice, but for the most part, SFTP still have the energy and passion to deliver hardcore music still worth hearing.

1. False Flag

2. Badge And A Bullet

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3. Radio

4. Scissor Hands

5. Black Friday

6. Counting Sheep

7. Slice Of Life

8. Tell Them I'm Not Home

9. Landmines

10. Anonymous