Verse (Straight Edge Hardcore) "Aggression" Album Review

For the past years in the New England area there have been many great hardcore bands, such as Guns Up! (R.I.P.), Shipwreck, Have Heart and Verse. The 4 major bands, in my opinion, that brought hardcore to a new level in the past 4-5 years. But Verse still remain the most melodic and energetic hardcore band to date. Consisting of members of the band What Feeds The Fire and shares the same drummer as Have Heart, Verse proves this to be their best album to date. With the infamous Boston Hardcore band BANE soon to throw in the towel, Verse is the new BANE for a new generation of kids. "Aggression" is to be released on June,10th 2008 on Bridge Nine.
The opening of the album, with the song entitled "The New Fury" kicks it off with political points of view from the band on this world and what is going on lately. To me it's probably the best political album I have ever listened to; the views are just amazing, even if you don't agree with what is said. The lyrics "We still struggle with the fact that one percent has ninety-nine on their knees. Washington’s drawing up war plans, while there’s still no hope for the homeless man. No one should have to live under these men, iron fists with gun in hand. No more control.No more rules." Those lyrics give me the chills and are very well thought out and speak about how our Government is these days.
There are three songs that go back to back, entitled"Story of A Free Man." With three different chapters it's basically a long, hardcore song that goes into each other. It's like the "Ziggy Stardust" album that David Bowie put out, or The Who's "Tommy." Not to say it's a hardcore opera, but the songs just go into each other so perfectly that it tells a story. This is my favorite song off the album. It is something different to the hardcore scene, and it's just amazing how intense it gets. Sean Murphy's vocals and lyrics are at their best on "Aggression."
In the song entitled "Earth and Stone" Sean actually sings. This is a first for him. In past songs he would talk and make speeches, kind of like Aaron Bedard in BANE, but this is so different for this type of music. It is so exciting!! This album has melodic jam interludes that make you realize how good this band is, even if you don't like hardcore or punk, you would still appreciate the music. There are riffs that remind me of this melodic, pop, indie band FAR. Which is a good thing.
The album ends with the song "Sons and Daugters" it opens with clean-toned guitars, and then goes right into the fast hardcore, punk riffs. Towards the end of the song there are gang vocals, screaming "AGGRESSION!" and after Sean saying "I wont stop, Everyday". The song fades out with the instruments back to the clean-toned guitars. After the album is over you think about how powerful it is and how there are underground movements such as hardcore, punk, political views and other important causes in the United States and in the entire world that we do not get to see everyday.
Even if you do not like hardcore music or punk you should still give this album a shot. It is worth it. This is an album of 2008 not to miss. So go buy it when it comes out!