Terror - Live By The Code

LA's Terror may not have been around as long as scene legends Sick of it All, but through consistency, hard work and quality album after quality album, they deserve all the attention and success they receive. I can safely say I have not heard a bad Terror song. Admittedly there are highlights on each album, but no songs are worth skipping altogether.

The only thing I can't click with is the use of American high school football style font for the band logo, and the use of imagery and fonts that would be more suited to a gangsta rap group. Maybe it is inevitable considering their upbringing and locale, but I think it sends mixed messages and clashes with the virtues of the genre. The ideas of giving the middle finger to authorities, corrupt business people and governments are shared, but you don't hear Terror boasting about drug use, bitches and drive-by shootings.

The band's albums have always been personal, honest and open, and this is no different. The opener 'The Most High' is a great nostalgic and inspiring look at the scene that Scott Vogel fell in love with back in the late 80's. The booklet accompanying the record is full of intelligent debate about the scene what it was and how it has changed and continues this theme of transparent hardcore music and ethos.

The production is perfect for hardcore, a little bit muddy and raw. This is how hardcore should sound, not polished and perfect. When the songs are as strong as 'Live By The Code', 'The Good Die Young' and 'Shot of Reality', any minor quibbles go straight out the window.