Scare Don’t Fear ~ Destroy|Rebuild

By Jennifer Russo

Some believe that rap and hardcore are two types of music that have no business sharing the same iPod playlist, let alone the same song. But, in a way, the two unique brands of expression are extremely similar. Both genres are always passionate, sometimes angry, and are usually trying to get a point across. It makes sense to take these two fraternal twins and merge them into one.

Rhode Island-based Scare Don’t Fear is a band that does just this ~ giving us the hard-hitting backdrop of instrumental metal, with its wailing guitars and speedy rhythm, that incorporates screams and singing with an in-your-face, hip-hop lyrical assault. Whether you want to bang your head or bop it, there is a balance to Destroy|Rebuild that is better than other bands who have attempted this style.

Destroy|Rebuild is what you would expect given the title. The songs focus on ripping situations apart and turning them into something better. It’s not about hiding, running away from or ignoring problems and the stuff that society throws at us every day;  it’s about facing it all and coming out on top. It’s not about complaining about what you don’t like; it’s about what you’re going to do about what you don’t like. Entertaining and empowering, hopeful and relentless ~ the album breaks boundaries and will blast Scare Don’t Fear right through the wall of anything that tries to stop it.

Destroy | Rebuild is currently available for purchase on iTunes as well as on YouTube for free streaming. Take a minute to like Scare Don’t Fear on Facebook, facebook.com/scaredontfear.

Tom Keifer ~ The Way Life Goes

By Jason Savio

Everybody loves a comeback story, and Tom Keifer fulfills his with his debut solo album The Way Life Goes. Keifer has been put through the ringer since his rise to fame as front man for the glam metal band Cinderella in the ’80s, but after a series of both professional and personal struggles, he has come out the other side with a redemptive effort.

And no, The Way Life Goes doesn’t sound like a forgotten ’80s rock star trying conjure up some of that old magic. There’s no leftover glam-grime to clean off. Instead, Keifer sounds new and fresh. If you didn’t know better, you’d think he’s a promising young musician recording his first album. He gets back to basics by embracing his blues roots throughout, oftentimes evoking the confident strut of classic Stones, such as on the rebellious spark of “It’s Not Enough” and the energetic opener “Solid Ground.”

Kiefer also takes this opportunity to shed his skin and fearlessly incorporate sounds he isn’t typically known for. The country-tinged ballad of “Ask Me Yesterday” is heartfelt and honest, while the majestic pop of “A Different Light” sounds like a Shania Twain and Keith Richards love child.

Not everything here shines (the kindergarten sing-along of “The Flower Song” is embarrassing), but Keifer proves that he still has enough fuel in the tank to keep himself moving forward. It was a long time in the making, but The Way Life Goes was worth the wait.

For more info, visit tomkeifer.com.

Hawthorne Heights ~ Zero

By Katey Khaos

Odds are, if you were one of those kids who were into screamo eight or so years ago, you’ve probably heard of Hawthorne Heights ~ post-hardcore prodigies who made the screamo trend popular with songs like “Niki FM” and “Ohio Is For Lovers.” However, Hawthorne Heights fell off the face of the earth ~ or so it seemed ~ when guitarist/screamer Casey Calvert passed away. The good news is these guys are back with their fifth full-length album, Zero, which caters not only to newer Hawthorne Heights fans but also to the band’s original fan base.

There are more than a few standout tracks, including “Dark Side,” with its pulsing beat and low range vocals, and “Put Me Back Together,” with its vocal grit and nostalgic background screams. Other tracks like “Zero” maintain the raw and less-polished sound for which the band is best known. In addition to catering to old-school Hawthorne Heights fans, the album offers up a softer side with the lone acoustic track “Hollow Hearts Unite.”

Zero is not what most would expect, given the bands more recent albums. They weren’t necessarily bad but had a much different sound when compared to what Hawthorne Heights used to be. Zero appears to be a return to the band’s roots ~ back when the late Casey Calvert was screaming his heart out. It seems as though the band has realized what it’s best at and is rolling with it.

To find more on Hawthorne Heights, visit hawthorneheights.com.