RECOGNIZE
Revenge
[Unsigned]
Verdict: 8/10

In just 2 short years Modesto/Fresno’s 6 man wrecking crew, known as RECOGNIZE have made an impressive name for themselves through relentless touring and and releasing music in the vein of FIRST BLOOD and AMERICAN ME. Heavy. Punishing and filled to the brim with groove. It’s a shame, and very sad to type this but…after releasing Revenge, a very impressive slab of beatdown, pit worthy material, the band have announced they are stepping down from the platform of artists. With that bit of news out of the way, the music. Revenge starts off with the ominous pit mover ‘Hail Satan’. It serves as an introduction to the destruction that awaits in the next 14 tracks. From there we are treated to ‘On To The Next One’. A very heavy, brutal afair that damages the senses. Between Aaaron Sy’s Karl Schwartz-like shouted vocals to the triple guitar attack everything about this song is right. While nothing on Revenge is absolutely mind numbingly inventive, it’s the heart and the actual passion the band put into each and every track that makes this shit so special. Displaying a knack for THE GHOST INSIDE kinda ‘realism’ in their lyrics helps the bands sound out immensely. This has to be a California trait as pretty much every hardcore band dropping anything from over there has this crazy emotion in everything. That aside, it’s the breakdowns that will unfortunately be the main focus here as the throngs of ‘scene kids’ will only flock to RECOGNIZE because they can show off their ‘cool moves’ they’ve been practicing at home. Rest assured though, those breakdowns are heavy as hell and sick as fuck. Worthy of tearing up any venues floor for (or sadly, your living rooms now). On ‘G.F.Y.S.’ the band start things off managing to show off their more comedic side with an intro that will leave you chuckling before you start banging your head off. In a world where every genre is over loaded with douche bags and tools champing at the bit just to make some quick cash or have as much sex as possible, trying to live up to the ‘Sex. Drugs & Rock’n'Roll’ lifestyle, it’s a welcome relief to listen to a band that makes/made music from the heart. If you haven’t heard of RECOGNIZE, Revenge is you’re chance to redeem yourself. -by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: ‘On To The Next One’ & ‘New Friend Request’s From California’s Girlfriend’
Release date: October 19, 2011
In conclusion…Recognize have unknowingly released an amazing farewell record with Revenge. Show the band some love and get this destructive piece of music ASAP!