Take Phil Anselmo's vocals, add some badass double bassdrum action along with some pummeling riffs and throw in a shitload of vicious breakdowns. That's Throwdown's "Vendetta"! Throwdown has got to be one of the most consistent bands around, never deviating from their chosen path and further perfecting their brutal sound with every release. I see no reason why with this album backing them, they couldn't have the same success as Hatebreed. They sound equally pissed off and they certainly pack the same punch!

Throwdown has once again created something that cannot be replicated, their sound. Unlike their previous CD, Haymaker, Vendetta has stepped up the band's sound. It is much more metal-core with twice the intensity. If you are looking for a soft sound, this is not your band. If you like your music powerful, and meaningful, check out the new release from Throwdown entitled Vendetta.

MOSH PIT MOFIOSIS: Black Flag promised to “rise above” when the Throwdown boys were barely out of diapers. Shelter trumpeted “a better way” while they were in the throes of puberty. And another straight edge band, Earth Crisis, wrote a song called “The Discipline” more than a decade ago, when Throwdown was probably little more than a twinkle in teenagers’ eyes. So Vendetta may not be covering much new ground thematically or musically. But at its core, this record works. There’s no explaining it. Throwdown is fantastic at laying down the chugga-chugga, but, then, so are million other bands. No, there is a charisma others lack at work here. The musical competency Throwdown clearly possesses is without a doubt helpful, but the main ingredient for successful hardcore is something less tangible—heartfelt conviction. It isn’t impossible to fake that fire, but it is difficult in a scene so quick to crucify former heroes for even minor offenses. Throwdown has plugged into something special that connects them and their message to audiences, as evidenced by their omnipotence and impressive success. According to ads, Throwdown is “the future of metal,” which may be a bit excessive. They are, however, a hardworking, honest hardcore band. And that’s good enough for a lot of us.

You've heard them featured on Fuse TV's Metal Asylum and for the second time they will be reigning at MTV's Headbanger's Ball - Throwdown has come into their own as an icon in today's metal/hardcore genre. If you aren't familiar with Throwdown, they've shared the stage with various bands such as Lamb of God, GWAR, Every Time I Die, Norma Jean and As I Lay Dying. Their brand of metal sounds like the spawn of Pantera and their hardcore stylings has been compared to Agnostic Front. Possibly the biggest Throwdown surprise is that they have a new drummer, but it's not just that, it's that their new drummer was the original vocalist for A Simple Plan. Are you kidding? That is one of the most amazing things I've heard! This definitely brings a certain amount of odd respect for their drummer, Ben Dussault, and respect for the band as a whole. Lead vocalist Dave Peters dominates this record with a constant, raging hardcore scream and intense singer's growl. Even though he is a heavy vocalist throughout the entire album, it is not the type of continuous growl that some find annoying. The way the album is produced, the vocals blend perfectly with the fast bass lines from Dom Macaluso and the driving, metal leanings of guitarist Matt Mentley. I have listened to this album probably a dozen times in a row already. It's not wearing and repetitive like a lot of metal bands tend to be in their recordings. Overall, this album features 11 tracks providing you with approximately 40 minutes of train-like metal riffs and hardcore breakdowns. If you are a fan - from A Simple Plan to Norma Jean - I suggest you invest in this album.

It seems like I can’t go more then two months, these days, without talking about the OC. No, not the stupid teeny-bopper TV show, but the county it is supposed to be taking place in. Orange County, California has become the equivalent of what Seattle was for the grunge scene back in its day for punk and hardcore, consistently churning out the scene’s heavy hitters left and right over the last few years. One of the bands that helped get the movement started in the OC would have to be Throwdown, who have transformed over the years into a finely-tuned machine fitting of their name (which by the way, was intended to be a joke originally). With the release of their second full length with Trustkill Records, “Vendetta,” all eyes are on Throwdown, and now with successful stints on 2004’s Ozzfest and this summers Sounds Of The Underground tour under their belt, there are quite a few eyes looking their way. “Vendetta” also marks the second album in which Throwdown is fronted by former guitarist Dave Peters, who was forced out of the guitarist position by back problems that, reportedly, still plague him today. Pair that with former Throwdown vocalist Keith Barney’s ongoing voice issues, Throwdown went with a little switch-a-roo, with Barney since exiting the band to focus on Eighteen Visions and allowing both bands to tour full time. While the move has worked, with the Peters-led Throwdown increasing in popularity on a day by day basis, my preference still leans towards Barney as a vocalist. Again, it’s pretty tough to argue with the success the band has had with Peters on the mic, but I guess that’s just my personal preference. Peters brings an Anselmo-esque bark to the fold that goes over even better on “Vendetta” then it did on “Haymaker.” Most of that has to do with the newer, metal influences that play into the music behind him, and needless to say, I think the music has steered towards Peters’ strengths as a vocalist. The themes are the same, with songs about staying together, being true and all that kind of stuff. You know, Throwdown being Throwdown… just a little more metal. It’s pretty much as simple as that. I mean, these are the dudes that put the bro in brocore. Peters has charisma, and that I can say I like. Musically, well, it’s Throwdown gone a little more metal. Wait, is there an echo? Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to explain it. This could be for a variety of reasons, namely because of the revolving door that seems to plague the band and their members. Pretty soon, you’ll feel like your reading Orange County’s phone book when simply listing off former members of Throwdown. The thing I like about the music on “Vendetta” is that it’s really easy to get into. It’s easy to bang your head, two step, mosh and pump your fist to the riffs and beats. Hell, this is music MADE to bang your fist to… even if you just so happen to be playing it at the same time. I know that may seem like a knock, and it’s not really meant to be, but that doesn’t hide the fact that it happens. I guess I really just don’t know what to say. There’s nothing here that blows me away, but the music is solid and will keep you interested. I mean, you pretty much know what you’re going to get, it’s Throwdown… just a little… you get the point. Hardcore, through the years, has systematically been a little predictable and formulistic. For that reason alone, I applaud Throwdown for trying something new and mixing new influences into their music. That said, they are going from one sound where they don’t really stick out to another where they won’t really stick out… besides for the fact that they’re Throwdown. But are they really? Like I said, this is a band that has gone through member-changes galore, but it’s all good “Vendetta” is a nice step in a different direction for Throwdown, and is sure to make a lot of fans very happy. They do an extremely good job at making songs that will stick in your head, to the point where that’s pretty much their bread and butter. Fans of bands like Pantera, Bury Your Dead and Hatebreed will dig “Vendetta,” which is in stores now.

Man, it was so funny witnessing this band at Sounds Of The Underground, trying to preach its message of unity, loyalty, and straight-edge to jaded/broken-hearted/white-belt-wearing/size youth-large black t-shirt-sporting/eyeliner- abusing/emo-hair hipsters. Further confusing those kids was Throwdown's rip-roaring cover of Sepultura's "Roots Bloody Roots," a definite copout for any true Sep devotee but a coup for fans at Sounds Of The Underground who were there for metal. Anway, this isn't a show review, but a record critique so, hey, let's talk Vendetta. Much like predecessor Haymaker, Vendetta is chock-full of sloganeering anthems a la Hatebreed, Throwdown shouting them out with all the moral authority invested in Hatebreed's therapy-core/Dr. Phil-core. But where Hatebreed gets all carpe diem on us with every track, Throwdown deals with the street-level repercussions of theorizing your way to more of a life-affirming existential path (i.e. Throwdown will tell ya to live good but then probably get into a fight, whereas Jamey Jasta's crew will back away and feel more like men for the restraint and Jamey's the one who's right, lest you wonder.) Vendetta, on the musical end, finds Throwdown becoming less harecore/metalcore and embracing plain-out metal: the comparisons have all been to Cowboys From Hell, and while I was initially skeptical of such hyperbole, the Pantera-isms run through and through Vendetta, Throwdown obviously aiming to expand out of its current cicles. This is a bold, (sorta) new vision for Throwdown, and it might even reign in a few of our readers. In '87, this kind of effor was called crossover, with hardcore being the genre to conquer. It's funny that these days metal's the coveted genre, those 'core kids catching on to decade-old Cowboy-like records that spoke to a metal generation previous.

Google the term "Throwdown review" and the first thing that pops up is the Ultimate Fighting Champions video game that shares its name with one of hardcore's heavy hitters. It's quite appropriate considering that Throwdown (the band)'s brand of music is a perfect combination of thrash and trash; of circle-pit verses and floor-punching breakdowns. I know the Pantera references to this band must be getting tired, but if the shoe fits. Anyway, think Far Beyond Driven-era Pantera, when they weren't as metal as on Cowboys From Hell, but still too grand in scope to label as just hardcore. Here's the thing: It's not 1994 anymore. Vendetta is good for what it is, and to their credit, Throwdown avoid all the "emo" clichés of the modern hardcore scene, but not all of the clichés. They add the always popular straight-edge lyriscs, which, like that drunk kid who brags about how much he can drink, always rubs me the wrong way. But for any band to justify themselves as hardcore, it's not their look or the words they speak, but the emotion they convey and inspire in others. And while it may not be anything new, you get the impression that what Throwdown brings to the table is conviction. Hey, it was enough to provide Earth Crisis with a very long career, so there's no reason to think it can't work for Throwdown.

This is the fourth full-length release from Throwdown and Vendetta is by fat the best. This album is tight, polished, and ready to strip you down and make you anti-mosh in your underwear. Over the years Throwdown has always delivered a steady onslaught of brutally heavy hits, and Vendetta is no exception. “We Will Rise” is the first track on the record and it will make you do exactly that. Get the fuck up and start doing windmills in your living room. With topics ranging form friendship to straight edge to life in general the heartfelt lyrics of Dave Peters, aren’t to be taken lightly. With several line up changes over the years these boys from the O.C. seem to have found the right roster. Anyone that was at Sounds to the Underground can verify that. So there you have it. If your a straight edge kid and don’t have this record what are you doing? Don’t let your edge dull any longer go out and get it. If you’re just a fan of brutally heavy music what are you doing? Get this record so your ears will bleed.

Orange County, California is known for its palm trees, sunny beaches, the annoying television show, and its music scene. It has given birth to such bands as Atreyu, Avenged Sevenfold, 18 Visions, Bleeding Through, and of course, Throwdown. This straight edge quartet plays aggressive hardcore that’s up there with the best of them. After losing former vocalist Keith Barney to the fashioncore outfit (pun intended) 18 Visions, they added Dave Peters to the lineup. Replacing a vocalist is very hard for a band and is often times unsuccessful, but Throwdown prevailed in 2003 when they released “Haymaker.” Throwdown’s latest offering, “Vendetta,” doesn’t stray too far from their previous record; both are quality, forceful hardcore records put out by Trustkill Records. At the same time, “Vendetta” is also a step up from their last release. Don’t worry; there’s no accoustic songs, love ballads, or clean vocals to be found, it’s definitely more diverse than previous efforts. Despite the similarities, “Vendetta” shows a little bit of the band’s metal influences. This isn’t metalcore or anything, but there are a few times when Pantera came to mind after hearing some choice riffs. This is a refreshing change and a step in the right direction. When speaking of this disc’s musical diversity, the track “Annihilation (N.W.D.)” Comes to mind. Clocking in at nearly six minutes, it is easily the longest song Throwdown has ever written. That’s not something you’d expect from a basic hardcore band, so that’s more evidence that Throwdown are pushing the limits with this one. It kind of drags after about four minutes or so, but I still give them credit for mixing things up and trying something new. Aside from those slight differences, it’s still your classic Throwdown. Dave Peters yells his signature throaty vocals with some gang vocals thrown in here and there. The rage-filled lyrics are nothing new, but still well written for what they are. They touch subjects such as hatred, loyalty, retribution, and respect. Some lyrics have an underlying straight edge tone to them, but aren’t blatantly obviously like some of the bands previous material (see “Raise Your Fist,” “Forever,” “The Edge Is Strong”). Heavy, face-smashing guitar riffs, hooks, and breakdowns by guitarist Matt Mentley are just begging to be moshed to. The production on the guitars sounds great, thanks to disc producer Zeus (who has also produced the likes of hardcore heavyweights Hatebreed). The pummeling double bass by drummer Ben Dussault is also ever-present. Dom Macaluso’s bass is seldom heard, but who has audible bass in hardcore these days anyway? The songs have a generally similar structure to them, so it may be kind of difficult to differentiate between the tracks at first, but there are certainly differences. My favorite tracks are the disc’s opener “We Will Rise,” the first single “Burn,” and the title track. Killswitch Engage/Blood Has Been Shed front man Howard Jones does guest vocals on “The World Behind,” adding a good variation in sound. This is another standout song on the album for me because Jones is one of my favorite vocalists. His voice is higher in pitch than Peter’s, so they complement each other well. Throwdown have outdone themselves with “Vendetta.” Many people focused too much on Peters addition to the band on their last release, but now that he has helped the band make a name for themselves, the comparisions have stopped. Last summer they had a successful stint on the second stage of Ozzfest and this summer they are one of the attractions for the Sounds of the Underground tour. If they keep up the good work and continue putting out solid releases like this, things will indubitably go well for Throwdown.

Orange County straight edge (that means no drugs, no drink) band Throwdown have built a fanbase themselves thanks to their chugga, violent riffs and intimidatingly barked vocals. Their latest, Vendetta, pulls back from the jud-jud thuggery and the band focuses on stronger song-writing and more technical riffing, and after several listens to Vendetta, we at Hit Parade, as longtime fans, have concluded that this TxDx's best effort. While the album shows artistic progress and growth, Throwdown still know how to design the kind of potent, tougher-than-a-motorcycle-gang breakdowns that cause carnage in moshpits. Pit picks: "We Will Rise" "Burn" "Speak The Truth" "Discipline." Again, nice work, lads.

It's too bad THROWDOWN didn't start off Vendetta with the title track, because the moment vocalist Dave Peters screams "THIS IS A VENDETTAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!" in the opening seconds, I think Pastepunk's stock "intense-o-meter" melted itself. On THROWDOWN's fourth overall full-length, and second for Trustkill, Vendetta keeps up the band's crusade to become the PENNYWISE of modern metallic hardcore. That comparison, of course, should not be taken as an insult in any way. THROWDOWN have established themselves as one of hardcore's most ruthlessly consistent and brutal bands on the prowl. Stylistic evolution be damned, Vendetta is a perfect compliment to the tenacity embedded in their prior album Haymaker, and a blueprint for any band attempting to extend an appendage to the voluminous HATEBREED audience. THROWDOWN have long been masters of the floor-clearing breakdown, and Vendetta practically overflows with such rhythmic gyrations. Track four, "Burn," (heard on countless Trustkill promotion samplers, ecards, etc.) is probably the most memorable song the band has ever written, with the word "Burn" (shocking!) featured prominently in the chorus. There's a great deal of buoyancy in this track as it swings forth with a seething anger. Catchy, and ragin', this song is just begging for a spot on a movie soundtrack. The tag-team of tracks six and seven, "To Live Is To Sacrifice," and "Give My Life," are silly good. While the latter sports some gnarly guitarwork and enough bass-bombs to flatten a shantytown, the former flexes a repetitive anvil toss that is tightly welded to screams of "Time to live is to sacrifice / always bleed / but never surrender your pride." While not likely to be subject to a lyrical dissection in the New York Times' "Arts and Leisure" section anytime soon, THROWDOWN have always instilled fairly simple sentences with a heroic jolt of life, and the eleven songs on their album are no exception. The tenth track, "Annihilation (N.W.D.)" is a bit of a trip for the band, holding down a slower tempo with gloom-and-doom themed vocals. On first listen, the drop in speed will catch you off guard, that is, until the huge guitars clock you upside the head. Vendetta closes shop with the swift and callous "This Is Where It Ends." While there's certainly plenty of energy on this track, it lacks the swagger and dramatic engagement of a normal finale. Perhaps the breakdown well went dry. Vendetta shows off a leaner and meaner side to THROWDOWN. Still standing strong after all these years, the group remains steadfastly committed to representing the voice of those unloved, disrespected, and ignored. With a quality of musicianship that clearly holds it own, and Dave Peters' relentless vocal leadership, THROWDOWN keep on cutting a wider path for their future. With this album, it's obvious that for this band, the flame still burns.

Because of their knuckle dragging, chugga chugga riffs and the drill sergeant barks of singer Dave Peters, Throwdown have earned the reputation of playing thuggish tough guy metal. Vendetta doesn't shatter notion, but at least they can shed the Hatebreed Jr. tag, thanks to the thicker, slightly more technical guitar work. The album is testosterone fueled, neck breaker metalcore, full of chunky, moshable breakdowns that will cause the kids to jump a few rungs down the evolutionary ladder! Vendetta is an exercise in barely bipedal rock that will cause HxCx kids to put on their angry faces and pile up in the pit. This Orange County straight edge crew keeps it tight, simple, and brutally as well as cathartic.

Based on my lukewarm feelings about "Haymaker", I was prepared to give THROWDOWN's "Vendetta" a mediocre review. I seem to be one of the few that weren't knocked on their asses by the 2003 release. The album has its moments, but seems to drag at times; something about those extra thick, breakdownish grinding parts I guess. By contrast, the very first spin of "Vendetta" felt like a 2x4 upside the noggin. You won't find one goddamn second of drag on this bare-knuckled bastard. It's 11 vicious blows to the head, a concussion similar to the one doled out by TERROR's "One with the Underdogs". In this case, metallic hardcore seems a more accurate description than hardcore or metalcore. While it is not necessarily inaccurate to call "Vendetta" a hardcore album, the metallic edges are quite sharp, the aggressive riffing (tone and all) often bringing to mind the fire of PANTERA. Songs like "Discipline" sport copious amount of that Texas heat — not so much from a technical standpoint, of course, but more in the way of general delivery. Matt Mentley's riffs on all 11 tracks are friggin' ravenous. When the odd guitar solo is unleashed, such as on "Give My Life", it's quick and dirty, but of the high impact variety. The occasional squealie is thrown out there for good measure as well. When a slow-to-mid tempo riff grind does appear on "Annihilation (N.W.D.)", the result is far more crushing than what is heard on "Haymaker". The songs that really set things ablaze though are the faster tempo ones (for instance, "We Will Rise", "Burn", "This is Where it Ends", and the title track). Vocalist Dave Peters tosses his metal hat into the ring too, stretching his scream-shout into an agonizing Anselmo shriek. Peters gets assistance from Howard Jones (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE) on "The World Behind", making an already deadly approach that much more lethal. HATEBREED's F. Sean Martin makes a guest appearance on "Shut You Down". Finally, the hard-hitting production comes courtesy of — surprise, surprise — Zeuss, while the mastering is done by — surprise, surprise — Alan Douches. Hey, the pair is good at what they do, so who wouldn't want 'em on their album? I could end by saying that "Vendetta" is the height of aggression or the epitome of rage, but I've come up with a more apt description: motherfucker.

Here's the latest set of burly, moshy metallic hardcore tracks from Orange County's finest, which is an odd conundrum in and of itself. Why? Well, because on the one hand I could definitely see this record turning away some of the band's more hardcore oriented listeners, while at the same time it's not far off from the direction of their last record. Though, beyond that, it is different: More metallic, more diverse, and you can tell they're trying to branch out and mess with a few new things – just nothing that's terribly far removed from the general spectrum of crushing power chords and chugging picking patterns. Have they added in more melody to their approach? Nope. Are they sounding like more of a metal band these days? Ehhh, just a tad, but not particularly. Have they added in a few singing choruses to try to make the songs catchier or more palatable? Hell no! Check the band name, people, it's still Throwdown. Honestly, the most important factor in separating "Vendetta" from "Haymaker" is that the production is a shitload better this time around. They've still got a hint of an overproduced churn to the guitar tone, but everything is way heavier, way more polished, and way more powerful in that department. So for that, I commend them. Writing-wise there's definitely nothing herein that can hold a candle to "Hate for the Weak" (by far the band's greatest achievement, and one that will be difficult, if not impossible, to top), and there's not always a ton of differentiation from track to track, but there are some surefire winners – and oddly enough most of 'em are on the latter half of the disc. Early on it's mainly textbook Throwdown with cuts like "Speak the Truth" or the title track, while the slightly too grooved out "Burn" is among the only tracks that leans a little too far into that territory for me to stick with for its duration. But "Discipline" is among my favorites, opening with a cool pull-off run before bringing in a Phil Anselmo inflection to the vocals, which sort of highlights the surging Pantera circa "Far Beyond Driven" influence that permeates a decent amount of these songs. (Remember back when Pantera was being marketed as sort of a pre-"nu-metal" form of "nu-hardcore"? This is kind of like a more legitimate spin on that, since it's hardcore borrowing from metal.) "Give My Life" is simply among the catchier tracks, offering a straightforward blend of hardcore power chords and tactful grooves with a ripping lead break that comes pretty unexpected. Despite being one of the longer tracks, the quick little lead melodies and powerfully chunky rhythms of "The World Behind" are actually pretty god damn memorable as well, while the prominent bass runs and chugga chugga grooves heard in "Shut You Down" are about as effective as it gets without going overboard. "Annihilation (N.W.D.)" runs damn near six minutes, which is certainly almost twice as long as your average Throwdown tune, flirting with some slower, post-"Arise" sounding Sepultura stuff in addition to some way Zakk Wylde styled pinch harmonics – and that's fine, but I've gotta say, this one's definitely a lot longer than it needs to be, so it drags on… even if the drawn out melodic instrumental passage near the tail end does kick ass. Ironically, "This is Where it Ends" then closes things out at less than two minutes with a mix of contemporary metalcore thrashiness and some staccato rhythms that are so "Chaos A.D." it almost hurts! Visually this one's quite similar to the last disc, just with less color. So expect lots of big, bold photography, lots of artistically arranged blank space granted to either deep blacks or metallic gold, tiny text that's still crisp and easily legible, etc. The lyrics? Hatred, friendship and loyalty, lies and betrayal, fighting for what you believe in and refusing to give in, and so on. The usual. There are a couple of straightedge sounding songs without blatantly stating as much, and one track deals more with the pitfalls of religion as opposed to personal turmoil and all that, so… they're not rewriting the book with this stuff, you know? Also included is a bonus DVD that runs about 15 minutes and mainly includes interview footage with the band regarding the recording of the new record and all that jazz. It's a little short, and it can be a sort of strange to see these guys talk about this music as if it's a bit more lofty and creative than it actually is, but it's still entertaining. And I have to say, much like the "Together, Forever, United" DVD, these guys really come across as likeable, down to earth dudes that don't really fit the stereotypical mold cast onto a lot of these types of bands, and that's definitely something I can appreciate in how they handle themselves. When all is said and done this isn't some huge benchmark release for Throwdown, or the hardcore genre, or anything like that – it's just a solid slab of hardass music. Yes, they're moving forward, and yes, they're starting to explore new realms. But again, they're doing so at a comfortable pace, so… if you're not some hardcore purist and you liked their last disc, there's very little reason not to dig these jams as well.

Because of their knuckle-dragging, chugga-chugga riffs and the drill-sergeant barks of singer Dave Peters, Throwdown have earned a reputation as being tough-guy metalists. Vendetta, the band's second effor for Trustkill Records, doesn't shatter that notion: The record is testosterone-fueled, neck-breaker metalcore, full of chunky, moshable breakdowns. Throughout, the Orange County straight-edge crew keeps it tight, simple, and brutal. Vendetta is an exercise in barely bipedal rock that will cause HxCx kids to put on their angry faces and pile up in the pit.

Replete with the charged, unforgiving violence of a bar-room brawl, Throwdown's Vendetta takes no prisoners. Though they're commonly known as a hardcore band, Throwdown is indisputably an equal part metal. Musically, the band is akin to early '90s aggressive metal like Machine Head and Crowbar. In other words, there is an effort to craft brutally heavy, well-rounded tunes- unlike the striving of today's bands to be the fastest or darkest or (fill in any superlative). Instead, Throwdown pays attention to songwriting. Long after you've listened to the CD, Vendetta keeps playing in your mind with an almost hypnotic sense of addiction after only a few listens. Vocalist Dave Peters shouts with clarity a la Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta, yet it is obvious he grew up listening to and singing along with the caustic vocals of Pantera's Phil Anselmo. Speaking of Pantera, Matt Mentley's riffs have clearly been influenced by Pantera's late great Dimebag Barrell. Traditional hardcore breakdown arrangements are non-existent, but the abrasiveness and ideological theme of unity is present. Peters' lyrics are typically hardcore in their anger, outward pessimism, and though it's very cliché, they are steeped in that hardcore scenester creed of brotherhodd and unity. I'm not referring to Throwdown, but I've always found it difficult to reconcile the hardcore scene's notion of unity with its claim that it encourages people to be themselves. By design, unity generally leads to conformity because of the pressure to transmute individual beliefs to espoused group ideals. At any rate, if you're looking for something avant-garde on the heavy end of the musical spectrum, look elsewhere. But what Throwdown lacks in originality, they more than make up for with songwriting prowess and high-quality vocals and guitars.

These guys are hard- there's no other way to describe the power of the recordings on this CD. Crushing power chords that sound somewhere between Sheer Terror and Sepultura, and vocals that sound like a cross between Max Cavalera and Mcfarland from Blood For Blood make up this beatdown masterpiece. This album screams like a stripped down Sepultura release (with Max in the band of course), maybe Chaos AD light. Throwdown will appeal to Metal fans and Hardcore fans alike; this is the exact formula that has raised the stakes for bands like Hatebreed and Shadows Fall. There is a lot of heavy here, a lot of anger, and of all the bands around, I think Throwdown will prove themselves to be one of the few with real staying power.

Throwdown have certainly come a long way since we first brought you a taste of their brutality in issue 42. That was before they'd singed to Trustkill, laid waste with the fucking heavy "Haymaker", and had kids stumbling bleeding out of the pits and tours the world all over. Now, with this, their major label debut, things are about to get even bloodier! "We Will Rise" they say - and if this slice of heavy hardcore is anything to go by, we're sure they will! The first album with a solid line-up. "Vendetta" is here with a capital V. Vocalist Dave Peters promised us crushing, and right from the off there are riffs heavier than a weigh-in at a truckers' convention - just check out the ball busting boot of "Burn", the total destruction of annihilation (N.W.D.), and the hulking stomp of "Give My Life" for proof, Fucking great!

Much like their proverbial mentors in Pantera, Orange County's Throwdown are very much a band who stick to the "if it ain't broke then don't fix it" approach. A brawny display of bareknuckle metalcore, the band relish in pummeling breakdowns and charging verses that ensure each and every mosh pit is a flurry of whirling arms and reckless spinkicks. Essentially, "Vendetta" is no different. A thick metal assault that finds the band a bit leaner than usual, the brutality level none the less remains the same. Crossbreed the works of Pantera with a band like Hatebreed, take out the technically challenging solos and focus on the straight-forward viciousness of it all and "Vendetta" is your end result. A maelstrom of dense basslines, monstrous double-kick drumming, grinding riffs and brutish vocals that would make Phil Anselmo proud; Throwdown are one of the select few who can focus on the basic ideals of what metalcore has evolved into and make it work. That's not to say it's all old hat here though. Songs like "Discipline" see shunting riffs climax into an epic breakdown, that although borderline melodic, sacrifices none of its thunder. With rock-solid production courtesy of Zeuss the band have delivered what is perhaps their vulgar display of metalcore and in that regard, this album doesn't disappoint. However, the band do practice a familiar song-writing formula which is straight-forward enough to hamper the albums longevity. Sure, the initial few listens are nothing short of bludgeoning. But with intensity favored over depth repeated listens barely leave a mark.

Throwdown has a new record titled properly as "Vendetta". This album is a driving experience of taking hardcore to the limits of metal by making it even more heavy and forceful than "Haymaker". It took me a couple listens to get into it due to previous listening of the band but after that it seemed like an amazing record to me. The guitar work is forceful yet technical which is something that's hard to see nowadays in the heavy music scene. The bass keeps the music all in check and the drums are very sharp and both the drums and the bass both drive through their breakdowns as heard in "We Will Rise". Now, in this release Dave's voice is even more developed than before and sounds twice as abusive in your ears than when heard during "Haymaker". The lyrics have also developed into a general message of rising above the hatred and fighting back. Through this album Dave's voice is absolutely amazing that just puts you into the mood to go all out. Throwdown overall is a heavy band and supports this through this album and is a force to be reckoned with among hardcore. Definately is a must-see live.

Arguably surpassing Hatebreed as the kings of brutish, burly, anthemic hardcore, California’s straight edge moshers, Throwdown return with a bigger, bolder and better follow up to the simplistically efficient Haymaker. Right of the get go, it’s obvious that Throwdown want to develop their sound while maintaining their hardcore roots, and they have done it perfectly, much like A Perfect Murder’s shift from Cease to Suffer to Unbroken, Throwdown have added some Bay Area thrash and more than obvious Pantera-isms to their already concise hardcore chug. And I don’t mean subtle Pantera-isms either; vocalist Dave Peters should be giving Phil Anselmo royalties based on his new found vocal range that deviates from the usual gruff hardcore shout and guitarist Matt Mentley has been injecting Vulgar Display of Power directly into his blood stream amid his usual breakdown heavy diet. The result is a more varied, yet still punishing form of hardcore that will have more appeal beyond hoodie wearing vegans and wife beater clad tough guys. Apt opener “We Will Rise” starts the new slightly less single minded approach with some riffs and crescendos mixed in with the crowd chants and brotherly lyrical themes. “Speak The Truth” then really kicks in the Pantera influence with a similar cadence to “Hold Your Mouth for War”, yet still Throwdown manage to keep their own integrity with gritty, down tuned grooves. These moments, while still satisfying to the hardcore fans and undeniably punishing, seem more varied and metal based rather than the simplistic, predictable beatdowns that most other hardcore offers; Standouts “Vendetta”, “Annihilation (N.W.D)” and the short but painfully ass kicking “This is Where is Ends”, while offering up pummeling breaks, will make most ninja kickers have to rethink their style, as they simply don’t fall into simple D-beat repetition. There is even some solos, and ‘real’ thrash metal guitar work as heard on “Discipline”, “The World Behind” and “Shut You Down”. Sure, there’s still plenty of those and plenty of power chord, punk riffs as tracks like the rather weak single “Burn” (obviously chosen for its fan base appeal), “To Live is to Sacrifice” and “Give My Life”, but when compared to Throwdown’s new found sense of song writing development, seem a little shallow. With hardcore producer extraordinaire Zeuss at the helm, Throwdown’s sound matches their subtle musical shift; a little metal has been added to the core sound, resulting in a thick, crunchy tone that retains its street fueled integrity. Lyrically, Throwdown are still about scene unity, social injustice and rising up against all odds but with less gang chants and chest pounding machismo from Peters, they are easier to swallow. Simply put, and whether the fans and band like it or not, Vendetta is this generation’s Vulgar Display of Power; a ballistic, clarion call for hardcore and metal to unite.

On the eve of their sophomore release, Throwdown are in a precarious position. They've been dismissed by some of the hardcore underground for having sold out (ie: succeeded) and gone 'too metal', but haven't established enough of a secure fan base within mainstream metal for this not to worry them. Due to this, Vendetta will provide the soundtrack for one of only two occurrences: their arrival as future heavyweights in metal, or the cessation of the Orange Country quartet's very existence. Style and 'scene' concerns aside, Throwdown have recorded a kick-ass album of, sometimes ridiculously simple, but spine shatteringly brutal riffage that will force your fellow passengers to turn their own iPods up to full volume in order to drown out the abuse blasting from yours when this LP is looping through your shiny white headset. Laying their full house hand on the table from the outset, opener We Will Rise crashes in with some awesome vocal talent on display from Dave Peters, who manages to emulate Jamey Jasta's guttural bark, whilst still paying attention to his annunciation (which makes for a considerably more interesting listen!) as he makes his battle cry known: "Can we rise?, We will rise! Yeah we will rise above the lies and move on!" Move on they certainly do, with the production skills of the godlike (groan) Zeuss shining through on title track Vendetta the perfectly layered instruments dart along in a frenzy, all awaiting the chance to jump off the disc and begin their assault on your eardrums. Even if the band do stray a little too close for comfort into the Hatebreed camp on this sure single, follow up number Burn will be certain to set it off in pits from Melbourne to Manchester, as In Flames meet Terror in a head on collision, and the beauty of metal and hardcore amalgamated is realised in 3 minutes of blistering rage. Although the musical divergence from their pure hardcore roots is in my opinion nothing but a positive factor, one element of their foundation that's clearly ever present throughout the album is the focused, personal, and purposeful lyrical content of each song. To Live is To Sacrifice and Give My Life are both lessons in loyalty, honour and raised fist dedication that serve to inspire all. The latter of the two takes an unabashed look at allegiance to one's cause: "For my enemies I have nothing to give but hate, for those who doubted me you're my enemies just the same. For those who give respect, my respect to you is paid; but for those who stand there by my side, I give more than blood for you... I give my life!" Bold words from a bold band who no doubt had to weigh up the risks of standing by their decision to branch out, risking ridicule by from their fans and the somewhat narrow-minded hardcore faithful. Nevertheless, their unashamed belief in their goals has earned them the somewhat ominous label of being the next Pantera and in contrast to final number This is Where it Ends, for Throwdown I hope this is the beginning of something beautiful.

Hardcore bands are the easiest things to hype in music right now. You can take any band out there and tell your friend it is the heaviest thing he has ever heard, only to find a new band the next week that owns that title, and so on and so forth. Throwdown are exactly one of those bands. This So-Cal straight-edge moshcore group spends their entire lives brutalizing anyone that stands in their way, and they do it with a growing efficiency with each new album. Their new album Vendetta is chalk full of heartfelt, growling lyrics over some absurdly infectious guitar hooks. In their previous albums, Throwdown wasn’t necessarily trying to escape mediocrity, but their music was just too simplistic. This time around, they have taken a bit more of a metal approach, but not enough of one to make this anything but hardcore. The one thing that stand out are the lyrics, which although filled with anger and rage, aren’t just angsty because that is the cool thing to do. There is a conviction here and it somehow emerges through the constant growling and screaming. There is a definite straight-edge tinge here, but Throwdown, unlike many other straight-edge groups, still makes it accessible by avoiding an overt preaching tone to the album. Even someone like me who consumes alcohol at any and every given moment can still relate to these lyrics. Granted, if you are also like me, then you don’t exactly listen to this genre of music for the lyrics, but more for the sheer adrenaline rush that comes from the constant blasts of explosive noise. Vendetta incorporates plenty more catchy guitar hooks this time around that still retain a heavy moshcore sound. The album is chalk full of delicious power riffs that make you want to gorilla punch the world into oblivion. There is no musical ingenuity here, but there doesn’t need to be. Throwdown isn’t trying to be much more than a looming presence in the hardcore world. Vendetta won’t come remotely close to changing the state of the scene, but it will give the foundation another boost for hardcore to stand on.

It's too bad THROWDOWN didn't start off Vendetta with the title track, because the moment vocalist Dave Peters screams "THIS IS A VENDETTAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!" in the opening seconds, I think Pastepunk's stock "intense-o-meter" melted itself. On THROWDOWN's fourth overall full-length, and second for Trustkill, Vendetta keeps up the band's crusade to become the PENNYWISE of modern metallic hardcore. That comparison, of course, should not be taken as an insult in any way. THROWDOWN have established themselves as one of hardcore's most ruthlessly consistent and brutal bands on the prowl. Stylistic evolution be damned, Vendetta is a perfect compliment to the tenacity embedded in their prior album Haymaker, and a blueprint for any band attempting to extend an appendage to the voluminous HATEBREED audience. THROWDOWN have long been masters of the floor-clearing breakdown, and Vendetta practically overflows with such rhythmic gyrations. Track four, "Burn," (heard on countless Trustkill promotion samplers, ecards, etc.) is probably the most memorable song the band has ever written, with the word "Burn" (shocking!) featured prominently in the chorus. There's a great deal of buoyancy in this track as it swings forth with a seething anger. Catchy, and ragin', this song is just begging for a spot on a movie soundtrack. The tag-team of tracks six and seven, "To Live Is To Sacrifice," and "Give My Life," are silly good. While the latter sports some gnarly guitarwork and enough bass-bombs to flatten a shantytown, the former flexes a repetitive anvil toss that is tightly welded to screams of "Time to live is to sacrifice / always bleed / but never surrender your pride." While not likely to be subject to a lyrical dissection in the New York Times' "Arts and Leisure" section anytime soon, THROWDOWN have always instilled fairly simple sentences with a heroic jolt of life, and the eleven songs on their album are no exception. The tenth track, "Annihilation (N.W.D.)" is a bit of a trip for the band, holding down a slower tempo with gloom-and-doom themed vocals. On first listen, the drop in speed will catch you off guard, that is, until the huge guitars clock you upside the head. Vendetta closes shop with the swift and callous "This Is Where It Ends." While there's certainly plenty of energy on this track, it lacks the swagger and dramatic engagement of a normal finale. Perhaps the breakdown well went dry. Vendetta shows off a leaner and meaner side to THROWDOWN. Still standing strong after all these years, the group remains steadfastly committed to representing the voice of those unloved, disrespected, and ignored. With a quality of musicianship that clearly holds it own, and Dave Peters' relentless vocal leadership, THROWDOWN keep on cutting a wider path for their future. With this album, it's obvious that for this band, the flame still burns.

From the initial note of 'Vendetta', Throwdown simply burn, pillage and satisfy one's need for adrenaline-fuelled music at any time of the night, or day! It is a huge, ass-kicking, blowing, bursting out, it is enormously furious! The Orange County four-piece wrote and rehearsed the album in Huntington Beach [spiritual home to Korn, as well] but recorded at Planet Z Studios in Massachusetts with Zeuss [producer of Hatebreed and Shadow's Fall]. As a supplant to 2003's breakthrough 'Haymaker', it is more diverse as well as madder at' well, everything. 'Vendetta' is more pissed [off] than 'Haymaker', vocalist Dave Peters explains, and a lot more diverse too. The fast parts are faster, the breakdowns more crushing and the guitars, drums and especially vocals are a lot more dynamic than anything we've done. Everyone from Madball fans to Pantera and Slayer fans can get into it. Mixing elements of hardcore history on the title track as if honouring Black Flag while other more mentally metallic tracks side them along the colossuses of the genre, including Sepultura [whose 'Roots' they were covering on the last year's OzzFest US tour]. 'We Will Rise', 'Speak The Truth', 'To Live Is to Sacrifice', 'Burn', 'This Is Where It Ends'. Although their song titles speak volumes, as if their own forces - alongside Peters we have Matt Mentley (guitar), Dom Macaluso (bass) and Ben Dussault (drums) - weren't enough, they invited Howard Jones (Killswitch Engage) to guest on 'The World Behind' and Sean Martin (Hatebreed) on 'Shut You Down'. 'Vendetta' is as heavy as the heaviest thing you can think of. It also demonstrates why fans of the band believe they could take over the vacancy left open since Pantera's demise. Throwdown are set to tour the UK this Autumn. In meantime, get to know them well via this killer disc that lasts just over 39 minutes!

All I have to say is this album absolutely jams and destroys almost anything that has been released in 2005. Throwdown manage to keep their hardcore roots but take a more direct metal approach reminiscent of Pantera and Sepultura during the 90's. "Vendetta" is just as brutal and heavy as "Haymaker" and is even a better record. Throwdown manages to grow and get better with each album they release and that is rare to find in any band these days. "Vendetta" opens with the heavy hitting 'We Will Rise' which instantly shows the new metal direction Throwdown has incorporated in their sound. The song moves into a sick break down but throws in a solo that will throw some people off who are used to the Throwdown of the past. It is just another example of how they have grown and what we can expect for the future. 'Speak The Truth' (best song) is another brutal track that reminds me of Pantera's 'Becoming'. It has a great riff and chorus. Front man, Dave Peters, definitely shows his influences of Phil Anselmo vocally that compare to the "Vulgar Display of Power" and "Far Beyond Driven" days. The song comes to a close in true Throwdown fashion with one of their sickest break downs to date and the drumming is executed perfectly. 'Vendetta' just continues to pound you from beginning to end. I like every song on this album but other stand out tracks are 'Burn', 'To Live Is To Sacrifice', 'Give My Life', 'Shut You Down' and the surprising 'Annihilation (N.W.D.), which showcases a whole new side to Throwdown, but impressive none the less. The album comes to a close with 'This Is Where It Ends' which brings back in the old Sepultura sound with brutal vocals. Revolver said it best when they stated Throwdown is "The Future of Metal". "Vendetta" is an instant classic and fans of both hardcore and metal should dig this album. I have heard so many bands and so many different albums over the past few years in the metal and hardcore scene; it is just nice and refreshing to hear an album of this caliber. While it may not be as technical as Pantera or Sepultura, both bands should be proud of "Vendetta". Even if you do not like Throwdown, give "Vendetta" a chance and I guarantee you will agree that it jams. It is definitely top 5 in metal and hardcore releases of 2005 period.

Although 2003's Haymaker was a tough act to follow, Throwdown don't lose any creative ground on their inspired follow-up, Vendetta. Those who use bloated phrases like "the future of metal" to describe Throwdown are going overboard with the hype; however, it is no exaggeration to say that the southern California outfit is one of the more impressive bands in the metalcore field -- and considering how many metalcore bands were formed in the late '90s and early to mid-2000s, that is saying a lot. All of the things that made Haymaker a winner are equally prevalent on Vendetta; from the intelligent lyrics to the infectious hooks to the conviction that Dave Peters brings to his blistering lead vocals, Vendetta is easily one of 2005's strongest metalcore discs. While the lyrics are full of angst and anger, Vendetta isn't just an exercise in angst for the sake of angst; Throwdown speak of the importance of dignity, self-respect, and friendship in a world where those things can be hard to come by. The Orange County residents are definitely coming from a straight-edge perspective, but they manage to avoid sounding preachy. Some straight-edge bands can be overbearingly preachy and remind listeners that a smug, self-righteous politically correct vegan can be every bit as annoying as a Religious Right gasbag like Sean Hannity. But Throwdown has a message that listeners can relate to on some level even if they aren't part of the straight-edge scene. Of course, some Throwdown fans aren't going to spend a lot of time analyzing their lyrics -- they simply enjoy the exhilaration that the band's forceful songs (which draw on influences ranging from Sepultura to Black Flag) give them in the mosh pit. And moshers who enjoyed Haymaker in 2003 won't find Vendetta to be the least bit disappointing.

Throwdown has always stayed true to themselves, their friends, their families and most importantly their sound. While some might complain that every Throwdown song sounds the same, and every breakdown sounds the identical to the last, the band has always made some undeniably heavy and brutal music. Some of these naysayers might be surprised to hear more of a metal approach and some of the best riffs Throwdown has ever put on an album. Whether it has to do with having a new guitarist or maybe just having a goal to put out one of the heaviest records yet, Throwdown has stepped up to the plate with Vendetta, and have overcome the odds. Instead of making Haymaker version 2 like most of us might have expected from this band, they've taken some of the best elements of that album, and added a whole lot more metal. The lyrics on this album show a much more mature side than what was show on Haymaker. The most noticeable change in the lyrics is the large decreases in those "potty mouth" words that we came to love, memorize, and scream at shows. Fans need not worry; however, the lyrics are still brutally honest and straight from the heart, which is just how Throwdown has done it since day one. While some might call Throwdown an Orange County rip off of Hatebreed, this album should stop that comparison dead in its tracks. Though they started as a joke, they've gained tons of fans and attention on television and with Vendetta their step forward to success will continue. If you've ever been a fan of Throwdown, unite the masses and go pick this album up.

It's amazing how much a once 'joke band' can progress over the course of four proper full-length albums. Returning with their fourth effort, the boys, now men of Throwdown have easily unleashed a package so raw it's conceivably hard to think that perhaps one day someone could out do and over power the sheer brilliance witnessed in this powerhouse of an album known as none other than "Vendetta." As good as their previous albums have been, and as hard as they've played themselves to be it is undoubtedly real that "Vendetta" can be marked as one of the most punishing albums thus far this year. With eleven full-fledge, in your face, and straight to the point attacks, Throwdown have compiled quite the thunderstorm of insanity. With the opener "We Will Rise" leading the album off with a punishing start to the hearty title track "Vendetta" there is a hidden promise that from start to finish this album won't lack the potent blend of frenzied breakdowns and luminous vocals heard this early in the album. Brutality being the key ingredient in this mix, the driving breakdowns and malicious screams ensue as tracks like "Burn" and "Give My Life" demonstrates the true meaning behind the serious hardcore business in which Throwdown live by. A fury of dense bass-lines and pounding double-kicks keep the monstrous sound in full-force while Dave, Dom, Matt, and Ben capitalize on the current popularity of hardcore by unleashing the ever consuming "Annihilation (N.W.D)" before bringing their fourth masterpiece to and end with "This Is Where It Ends." These men from Orange County, California have once again delivered a formidable mix of some of the most estranged metal-core to date. With Zeuss engineering and producing this feat of metal-core history it is no wonder the sounds from within leave you in the wake of what terror to expect next.

Their name describes those early stages of a fight, where two angry people size each other up, toss out insults and the tension fills the air. Their sound matches the moment, breath for breath, blow for blow, capturing the class war building in their hometown of Orange County, Calif., better than any act around. There’s nothing sunny about this follow-up to their equally unrelenting debut Haymaker, no harmonized guitars, no pop-punk breakdowns, no melodic vocals. It’s a mixture of what’s left on the pavement from the night before: spit, sweat, blood, alcohol, maybe even a few tears and chipped teeth, all set to boil by the fiery single “Burn” and ready to repeat again tonight, this time with a vengeance.

Though this album actually came out a couple weeks ago I didn’t have a whole lot of interest in it. The band’s last album, “Haymaker” was pretty solidly in the Hatebreed vein of hardcore—meaning crunching, bouncy riffs with a guy yelling over them in a monotone. I can take it in short bursts, but it’s not something I’ll seek out. It wasn’t until a few days ago when an associate who knows my musical tastes recommended the album to me to give it a listen. What a change a few years can make. It’s evident from the opening track “We Will Rise” that this is a band that’s undergone an evolution. Oh, the hardcore element is still there, but there’s a more complex and melodic metal influence here. It’s even more pronounced on “Speak the Truth,” which looks into a Pantera-style power groove. Even vocalist Dave Peters has added more variation to his vocals, at times seeming to be channeling Phil Anselmo. In fact, the blend of hardcore and metal on this album is very similar to Pantera’s “Vulgar Display of Power.” Pantera came at it from the metal angle, adding hardcore influences, Throwdown comes at it from the other direction, adding metal to hardcore. The result is the same potent mixture of aggressive styles. There are still a few pretty standard hardcore tunes on the album, like “Burn” and “Give My Life,” but they’re overpowered by thrashterpieces like “Annihilation (N.W.D.)” and the title track. Is this album a new “Vulgar Display of Power?” No. It can’t match the sheer intensity and groove that album. But in a world without Pantera (and now with No hope of a reunion), “Vendetta” is about the closest thing you’ll find.

Hardcore giants throwdown are back with vengeance and have a serious “Vendetta” to settle. Preaching more than just a straight edge lifestyle and A positive outlook, Throwdown have created a well-produced album that Features some of the most aggressive hardcore music to date. Although the band Has suffered line-up changes and band member fallouts in the past, this does not Hinder the brutal guitar parts, pounding metal and hardcore influenced percussion, or the positive lyrical stance on life, in general. Throwdown deliver A powerful and explosive album featuring some of their best music to date. Essentially, each song on this album takes a certain aspect of life and builds off of that. The first single from this album, “Burn” features a positive lyrical stance on how to take every single negative idea or notion that someone has thrown at you, verbally or physically, and turning that negativity into a positive outlook on life. However, positivity isn’t the only good aspect of this album, and, in many cases, only builds on how musically explosive and impressive this album is. Songs like “Vendetta” “Discipline” and “Shut You Down” feature some of the most aggressive, vehement, and brutal music Throwdown have produced in comparison to their former releases. This is a band that is clearly strengthening their core musical style with every song they write. “Vendetta” is an excellent musical addition to Throwdown’s previous repetoire of past albums in that it still has that same positive outlook, as well as gripping, heavy guitars and aggressive vocals that make their sound indistinguishable. However, “Vendetta” does seem to lack progressively versatile music in that every song is structurally similar. Although Throwdown pack an abrasive punch from “We Will Rise” all the way to “This is Where It Ends” after awhile, the lisener might find themselves a bit bored with what is being produced in a musical sense. Regardless, this is an impressive album considering the band’s previous musical Recordings. If you’re a fan of Throwdown or just someone looking for a good hardcore album with some positive lyrics, “Vendetta” is definitely an album you should check out.