Endstand - The Time Is Now
LifeForce Records - LFR 059-2 - 2006
By Philip Whitehouse
Finnish hardcore act Endstand have been knocking around since around 1996, making a decent name for themselves in their home country, but never really gaining much exposure outside of Finland. Their recent signing to LifeForce Records should change that, with The Time Is Now being the record intended to introduce them to the world.
With that in mind, it's a shame that the world has already pretty much gotten used to bands like American Nightmare and The Hope Conspiracy, because as energetic and vibrant as Endstand's melody-infused metallic hardcore may be, it doesn't sound all that special or different. The songs rarely break the three minute mark, which means the band don't have a lot of room to experiment structurally. Mika and Joel craft some intricate and hook-laden guitarwork, and Pekka whales on his drumkit with a ferocity and skill that never fails to impress, but it all seems a bit samey - a fact not helped by vocalist Janne's insistence on staying in 'unintelligible scream' mode throughout proceedings.
Despite occasional sparks of inspiration (namely closing number 'Sometimes Dreams Might Come True' and 'To Feel Alive'), for the most part The Time Is Now fails to show us anything we haven't already heard from a genre that is beginning to burn itself out. A shame, when you consider how long they've been going, but seniority only counts in this game if you learn from your experiences.
5.5/10
Endstand's Official Website
LifeForce Records' Official Website
LifeForce Records - LFR 059-2 - 2006
By Philip Whitehouse
Finnish hardcore act Endstand have been knocking around since around 1996, making a decent name for themselves in their home country, but never really gaining much exposure outside of Finland. Their recent signing to LifeForce Records should change that, with The Time Is Now being the record intended to introduce them to the world.
With that in mind, it's a shame that the world has already pretty much gotten used to bands like American Nightmare and The Hope Conspiracy, because as energetic and vibrant as Endstand's melody-infused metallic hardcore may be, it doesn't sound all that special or different. The songs rarely break the three minute mark, which means the band don't have a lot of room to experiment structurally. Mika and Joel craft some intricate and hook-laden guitarwork, and Pekka whales on his drumkit with a ferocity and skill that never fails to impress, but it all seems a bit samey - a fact not helped by vocalist Janne's insistence on staying in 'unintelligible scream' mode throughout proceedings.
Despite occasional sparks of inspiration (namely closing number 'Sometimes Dreams Might Come True' and 'To Feel Alive'), for the most part The Time Is Now fails to show us anything we haven't already heard from a genre that is beginning to burn itself out. A shame, when you consider how long they've been going, but seniority only counts in this game if you learn from your experiences.
5.5/10
Endstand's Official Website
LifeForce Records' Official Website
