Having visited our shores for the first time last year, Orange County hardcore outfit Stick To Your Guns have finally managed to get their third album The Hope Division a long overdue local release after being available overseas for the better part of a year.
Although their debut effort For What It’s Worth was impressive, follow up effort Comes From The Heart was quite disappointing, primarily because the band’s sound beame downright predictable and tired. Thus, based on their track record, it was hard to expect much from a new Stick To Your Guns record, and the fact that apart from vocalist Jesse Barnett, the rest of the band are all newcomers to the group doesn’t help matters.
But despite low expectations, The Hope Division marks a return to form for Stick To Your Guns, and proves beyond any doubt that the sound and direction of their last album was nothing more than an experiment that didn’t quite work for either the band or their loyal fan base.
Where The Sun Never Sleeps provides a strong start to the album with its heavy riffs, infectious chorus and huge gang vocals, while the frantic What Goes Around, the relentless chug of Wolves At The Door and Faith In The Untamed proves the band’s old-school hardcore roots are still intact and bruising when in full-on attack mode.
Amber boasts a good balance of aggression and melody, while tracks such as the slower paced/post-hardcore effort Some Kind Of Hope, the moody Scarecrow and its acoustic sequel Erida showcase the band’s broadening sound beyond anything heard on their last release.
Towards the tail end of the album, Life Through Western Eyes and 3/60 are definite stand out cuts, before the band finish things up in punishing fashion with No Cover and the towering Sufferer/La Poderosa.
Overall, faith in Stick To Your Guns ought to be fully restored. The Hope Division is the sound of a band reinvigorated and inspired once again, and nothing like the generic mess of Comes From The Heart some three years ago.
