Last Call and CheechIt doesn't get any better than this, two of my favorite and most underappreciated bands in hardcore today doing a split together. Plus this is the most original concept for a split to date, the World Series of Hardcore, New York Vs. Boston. And the design and layout ain't too shabby either. New York's Last Call comes out swinging with 3 new tracks and two old tracks re-recorded with some mosh added to both. It seems as if Last Call has added even more thrash to their sound. It's really evident in the opening track "God Can't Hear You." After the intro of the song it goes into a really thrashy verse that chugs along it's path of destruction. The redone Temp. Service sounds great with the new part added, a great song to put on after a hard work week and not having dick to show for it. "Pissed upon, pushed to the side, you set the rules with no compromise." Laborers should definitely feel that. Rusted Gates and Battered Heroes the two other new songs reaffirms the more thrashier Last Call with even more dance-able parts than their previous effort, the full length "The After Hours." "Rusted Gates" was definitely my favorite song on this side of the split. The main riff in the song is just fucking brutally amazing and is perfect for a heavy breakdown transition. Closing off their side of things is the redone version of "All They Gave," and let me say the dance part they added adds so much to the song, "Just roll the dice and let's dance." Ended it perfectly. Now for Boston's Cheech side of things. They hit a lead off home run in my book with "Choking on Your Teeth," which features everything that makes Cheech great. A great hardcore anthem with humor on a serious topic. It's about the MTV2 hardcore kids, "Good days gone, now we got mascara wearing dudes playing half assed metalcore." C'MON BOOGIE LET'S BURN THIS MOTHER FUCKER DOWN! In the number two spot is a re-recorded version of "Junkie Death" which appeared on their first full length "A Day Late and a Dollar Short." The next track is two songs (xNERDCRUSHERx and Thanks for Nothin'), which would is the only thing you could complain about this cd, but onward we go. Hitting 3rd is "xNERDCRUSHERx," a really fast paced song, even in comparison to Cheech fast. Lyrically, kind of reminds me of "Cheech2000" from their first full length, well except for last few lines which, rightfully so bash haircore, fagcore, and fashioncore, etc. bands trying to capitalize off of hardcore with the trends and fads. Hitting cleanup is the song "Thanks for Nothin,'"is a song about a friendship that headed south, "Tried to lend a hand but you refused, turned your back and took the easy path, left without a trace." In the five hole is "Pull Ya Card" which is my favorite song of the bunch. About a person you know that falls victim to pills. It starts off fast as fuck then goes into a great little bridge with some catchy guitar work. Then the chorus kicks in with a great sing along shout. "Live your life on the run," isn't that the truth. Batting last is "State of Fear," a song about the current Iraq situation and once again like "Keep Your Pimp Hand Strong," closes off on a heavy note. Like the ALCS Boston pulls it off in game 7. As always Cheech just keeps getting better and better. On the flipside, Last Call improved from their last effort and I can't wait to hear their full length due out early 2006. Thrashin' destruction and knife in cheek humor rolled into one compact disc for your enjoyment.
Favorite Songs: Cheech-"Pull Ya Card" Last Call-"Rusted Gates"
Score: Cheech 5 Last Call 4
Overall Score: 5/5