Reviews

Energy and honesty make the hardcore band, no doubt about it.  A fan wants to know the band will play it straight as well as play with everything they’ve got.  Tradition and work ethic also play huge parts, and these qualities are obvious even to the casual hardcore kid (or adult).  Death Before Dishonor knows all of the above and absolutely crushes with their new release, Count Me In.
 
In a sonically limited genre spawned from the urban landscapes of America, hardcore bands are best enjoyed live.  However, the living room or driver’s seat mosh pit is the true test of the band.  Luckily, in the 1990s clean and clear production came along for hardcore albums, which finally placed the entire scene in the domain of serious musicians.
 
DBD’s studio sound is thick and precise, and their songs are brutal and direct.  The Agnostic Front-inspired vocals are an instrument right along with the pummeling guitars, bass, and drums.  Throw in some cool Jane Doe-esque artwork and you’ve got one hell of a hardcore album. 
 
When it comes to the Boston scene, if Blood For Blood are (were) the satirical bullies and The Dropkick Murphys are the musical all-stars, then Death Before Dishonor are the torchbearers of tradition.  They Keep it Real, they Set it Off, and they are Victims in Pain.  They are definitely not Back With a Bong, but are most certainly Built to Last, and this album catches Death Before Dishonor at the dawn of a brilliant epoch for a young band.
 
Death Before Dishonor is the band to see on tour when they destroy both your local club and bands.  They are now a finely tuned wrecking crew that will easily appeal to any hardened scene veteran or metal head.  Count them all in. Props for being from Southie, too.