DEAD ICONS
Condemned
[Bullet Tooth Records]
Verdict: 9/10

Hardcore is one of those genres that gets lumped in with a bunch of nonsense. Violence. Negativity. While it’s true these things do occur, hardcore music and its fans aren’t the only ones. Regardless, musically, too many bands consider themselves ‘hardcore’ and they aren’t. This ultimately misleads throngs of unknowing fans to believe their favorite Hot Topic supported bands are ‘hardcore’. Then there’s the few that really are what they claim. One such band is Lexington, Kentucky’s DEAD ICONS. These guys paid attention when hardcore bands like MADBALL, TERROR and DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR came barreling through town or dropped a meaty slab of hardcore goodness. The 12 tracks on Condemned are vicious, furious and filled with the determination and intensity that makes this genre great. There’s no real need to go into great detail and pick apart individual tracks here. Just know this, DEAD ICONS will be a name we all will hear more of soon. Condemned proves that the spirit of true hardcore hasn’t died or been 100% diluted.      -by Jon Hole

Recommended listening: The whole thing. No, seriously.
Production credits: Produced/Recorded at Warrior Sound Studios in Chapel Hill, NC and Mastered by Jaime King.
Release date: January 24, 2012
In conclusion…If the state of True Hardcore has seemed a little lackluster, have no fear. It is in very capable hands with young bands like Dead Icons.