On the OutsidePortland Maine’s On The Outside feature members from Outbreak and play mid 90's hardcore ala Madball and with the metallic approach of Biohazard and even some slight nods to metal gods Pantera. Tragic Endings comes off sounding like Terror’s One with the underdogs. I wouldn’t say that’s a bad or good thing, this album just falls into the grey area, not great, not bad just really not memorable. Lyrically, they don’t do much for me either. It’s pretty much like listening to every other band of this style except what really kills it is there are two songs about hitting rock bottom because of a girl. In my humble opinion is if you’re going to be pissed off and pessimistic don’t have one fifth of your lyrical content be about a girl because that leaves me with the impression that’s why you’re so pissed off. Not a good thing. The layout as well falls victim to just being tradionally mediocre. The production is top notch though. Give me some better lyrical content and some more well implemented solo’s that made the final two tracks the stand outs and I’ll definitely give it a listen.
Rating: 3/5
Songs worthy of replay: Tragic Endings, Everything I Used To Be
Thesis: Good metallic hardcore but nothing to write home about