Mind Equals Blown

Hopes Die Last Trust No One

Metalcore Standby Records

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I should probably just turn in my metalhead card for this.

Yeah, I listened to Hopes Die Last’s Trust No One and enjoyed myself. My defense is as follows:

Just as long as you’re not taking this 1000 percent seriously, Trust No One is fun. Fun like Andrew W.K.’s usage of wearing all white. Fun like smashing a beer can against your head because Every Time I Die made you do it.

And the context is this is an Italian post hardcore band formed in 2004 that prepared to dodge a sophomore slump. Indeed, they avoided the trap as last week’s release of Trust No One is (for them) considerably heavier yet still retains that vocal style of guttural meets actual singing. After all, nothing says “Happy Valentine’s Day!” like a bloody zombie child on the front cover.

Now ultimately this proves that whether you mildly like hardcore or like seriously heavy music, there is something for everyone, especially in the beginning half. “Never Trust the Hazel Eyed,” “Sidney Shown,” and “Life After Me Life After You” aren’t all that different from say August Burns Red. Hopes Die Last even makes use of an early record instrumental. Rarely instrumentals make use of instruments, preferring that boring one note technique which is a.k.a. “we didn’t have a bridge.” Without “The Blue,” this record may become way too -core, so props to the skillful appropriateness.

Admittedly, the middle is filler. It’s like okay good enough filler until it becomes utter filler, except for a gem called “Firework.” Secretly you may wonder, “Does this mean the Katy Perry song?” Why yes, yes it does. And if you can’t laugh and have fun with a metal-injected pop song, then go stand in the corner and continue to be the turd in the punch bowl crossing your arms (we’re having a party over here).

But there are songs that certainly can’t conjure up excuses because it sounds like another band is performing them. Awkward and boring is “The Same Old Fears” while “Keep Your Hands Off (feat. Nesko)” brings in what’s popular with the kids these days a-la Korn and Skrillex combination.

I know, I know, the dreaded word: metalcore. But this headline shouldn’t shock you; it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon so condemn some of it and have fun with others like Hopes Die Last. Basically if you feel like you can’t even beat ‘em, then you probably already joined ‘em. Even at the risk of bringing in one cornier element of pop culture…I don’t listen to metalcore often but when I do, I’d choose Hopes Die Last. Now go listen to Slayer.

Author: Sammi Chichester View Staff Page for Sammi Chichester

I am currently a student at Hofstra University studying journalism and political science. Due to the fact I worked in a newsroom, I have a strange sense of humor, drink copious amounts of coffee, and how should we say… a style of language (capisce?). Even though I shout at the television news and read all things Ayn Rand, I am an unapologetic music nerd. I also produce, host, and engineer a metal/hardcore radio show in the New York Metro Area. My famous last words will be, “Let’s see what happens.”

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