First Press, 2014
Black Vinyl /500
I'd paid virtually zero attention to Not Afraid from Belgium before this LP of theirs came out last year. This kind of polished hardcore certainly isn't the stuff that I listen to normally so I'd kind of taken a less than positive opinion about this band until for whatever reason I listened to a few songs online. Thoroughly impressive New York styled Hardcore is what's happening here, and in very typical Euro fashion, the band is aping the heavier parts of the Revelation catalogue, most notably and very obviously- Judge. Now, I don't really find any interest in that band, but this is just excellent stompy, mid paced Hardcore. The songs are super catchy and the recording makes the band sound like they're coming straight outta '89. I think the singer from this band is also the singer from that group True Colors, while various members have done time in notables such as Justice, Dead Stop and Loud And Clear. That pedigree is probably enough of an indication of the quality here.
