- Release Info -------------------------------------------------------------- -
Artist: Death Before Dishonor
Album: Better Ways To Die
Label: Bridge Nine Records
Playtime: 24:17 min
Genre: Hardcore
URL:
Death Before Dishonor
Rip date: 2009-06-27
Street date: 2009-07-28
Size: 41.55 MB
Type: Normal
Quality: 226 kbps / 4410kHz / Joint Stereo
- Release Notes ------------------------------------------------------------- -
Forget what you think you know about Boston Hardcore.
Beyond the stereotype of "beatdowns", the "tough guy" exterior,
the simplistic "chugga chugga" riffage, and so much more than just a mosh
pit is one of the hardest working bands in hardcore: Death Before Dishonor.
In the four years since they originally joined the Bridge Nine roster,
Death Before Dishonor has released two full-length albums, two 7"'s, and
played over 1,000 shows around the globe. Now, Death Before Dishonor is
gearing up to release their third and most accomplished studio album to date -
Better Ways to Die. This album not only solidifies Death Before Dishonor's
commitment to what they do as a band, but it also displays their unflinching
ability and desire to establish themselves outside of clichés and the
pre-defined constructs of what it is to be "hardcore."
With their 2007 release of Count Me In, Death Before Dishonor caught people
off guard as the album debuted on the Billboard Heatseekers Charts,
Independent Albums and Top New Artist charts and stayed there for over
four weeks. Regional and National press took notice, as did radio and video
outlets. Death Before Dishonor embarked on a world tour to promote Count Me In,
supporting cornerstones of the hardcore world like Agnostic Front, Madball,
Sick Of It All, and Hatebreed, as well as modern powerhouses Have Heart and
Terror. DBD hit every nook and cranny around the world - Europe, Australia,
Japan, Great Britain, Mexico, Canada and the entire continental US -
Count Me In was officially a success.
Fast forward to 2009 and Death Before Dishonor returned to Boston to write and
record what would become Better Ways To Die - which did not come without obstacles.
Member changes ensued, a new drummer was added into the fold, and the band found
themselves in a spot of free agency as their contract had expired with their
home since 2005 - Bridge Nine Records. Vocalist Bryan Harris stated, "It was a
weird position to be in since we've pretty much been with Bridge Nine since the
beginning, but staying with the label was an easy decision for us. They've always
cared about our band and since Count Me In came out, they've grown to become that
'next level' label that our band needed to move forward."
And move forward they did, as Better Ways To Die showcases Death Before Dishonor
reaching outside of the safe hardcore formulas both in songs and content while still
retaining their roots in the South Boston upbringing. Produced by Jim Siegel,
Better Ways To Die lies somewhere between the harder punk edge of Rancid, the working
class anthems of fellow Bostonians Dropkick Murphys, the hardcore attack of Hatebreed
and the precision and riffage of Slayer - this is the sound of a true Boston Hardcore
band.
Lyrically, Better Ways To Die is an undeniable view into the world that is
Death Before Dishonor; the blue collar, overlooked, undervalued segments of society
and how we all survive in the face of adversity. However, this album pushes beyond
just anger and rage as songs like "Remember" and "Our Glory Days" remind us of the
hope that can be found in punk and hardcore music. Further diversifying the album is
"Boys In Blue", which takes the punk mentality of "fuck the police" and turns it on
the wrongful arrest and abuse of Harris' brother. The title track is a unique view
on war and its effects in a poorer neighborhood and is perhaps one of the best
Death Before Dishonor songs to date.
Better Ways To Die is the sound of defiance when all one is surrounded with is defeat
and marginalization. "If it weren't for this band, I would be sitting in
Massachusetts. In the last two years I've been to Australia, Russia, Ukraine, Japan,
all across Europe, the US and Canada and I've seen all four oceans. We have no
reason to stop now - people are now starting to pay attention", said Harris.
So pay attention: Better Ways To Die is the new definition of Boston Hardcore.
- Track List ---------------------------------------------------------------- -
01. Peace And Quiet ( 1:15)
02. Remember ( 2:12)
03. Coffin Nail ( 2:23)
04. Fuck This Year ( 1:51)
05. Boys In Blue ( 2:15)
06. Better Ways To Die ( 2:50)
07. So Far From Home ( 3:02)
08. Black Cloud ( 2:04)
09. No More Lies ( 1:54)
10. Bloodlust ( 2:03)
11. Our Glory Days ( 2:2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -
Death Before Dishonor - Better Ways To Die (2009)
