Metal Monday: The Warriors Want To See Who You Are

posted in: Reviews & Playlists

Finding the line between awesomely simple and just plain old boring can be a major struggle for many bands, but The Warriors have found just the way to separate mundane and pure with their second Victory Records release, See How You Are. Forgoing lofty string sections, extensive and elaborate guitar solos, and just about every other frill on modern hardcore/metalcore records”The Warriors are back to basics.

The first two tracks on See How You Are don’t set the mood very well for the nine tracks that follow. “See How You Are” acts as the overture of the record, giving you only a glimpse of what is to come. Even the upbeat “The War Unseen” feels quite leashed in with both the riffs and vocals in”The War Unseen” packing less than the expected punch. Immediately starting at track three, however, the album gains a lot more power. Guitar riffs hit harder, Marshall Lichtenwaldt’s vocals are more abrasive and the brutal march to the finish begins.

Songs such as “Where I Stand” and “Mental Chains” serve as the only room for a breather in the densely-packed See How You Are, as they toss in some catchy riffs and licks to sweeten up the mix. Outside of that, every riff, breakdown and lyric is as densely packed with fire and vitriol as any fan of hardcore could ask for. The level of intensity increases with each song after “Mental Chains” until the final breakdown of the album as “Along The Way” comes to and end and it feels like the band has reached its breaking point.

See How You Are doesn’t bring a whole lot to the table in terms of new and innovative things, but what it does bring is very well executed. If you’re looking for powerfully presented intelligent lyrics, breakdowns to make you move, gang vocals and emotion, See How You Are is worth checking out. Not sold yet? Check out the video below to see if you might dig what The Warriors have going on: