Wisdom In ChainsWisdom In Chains reside in Pennsylvania and have been kicking around the hardcore scene for a number of years now. Originally a side project from members of Krutch and Holland's Daredevil, WIC released a self-titled full-length on Gangstyle Records before reconfiguring their line-up with local PA members. The band then released their second full-length, Die Young on Spook City. Class War is their third full-length and first on Eulogy Recordings(not including the recent re-release of Die Young on Eulogy).
This album is almost a concept album in it's purest form. A hardcore concept album? Before you start to envision Mad Joe Black crooning Pink Floyd's The Wall…keep in mind that a concept album is one that each song follows a single theme or…concept. Yes, that's why they call it such. The music business isn't exactly rocket science. I say "almost a concept album", because a few tracks ('Cap City', 'Horrible Crimes') tell stories not fully in-line with the running theme at whole. So what is this so-called concept that drives this album? Look no further than the second track, 'Early Grave'. Late in the song is a lyric that catches Class War's predominant theme, "this is the last will and testament of a madman pushed over the edge by bad men". Mad Joe has no problem spitting out society's shortcomings with an injection of venom. Over this background of life's ills and oppressiveness, Mad Joe shows what drives these lyrics.
Wisdom In Chains show the world and society with all its inglorious flaws and still hold their head up high for their family and friend's sake. Songs such as 'Early Grave', 'My Promise' and 'No Justice For The Working Man' all make it known that it's Joe's family that drives him to bust his ass to provide for them. Of course when he speaks of himself, he is representing the working men of the world trying to make ends meat. Class War is Wisdom In Chains moving forward lyrically. In earlier recordings, WIC, spoke of revenge, hatred, hopelessness and general violence. Even though those factors are still present on this album, they aren't prevalent. Mad Joe's themes have gone from fucking around to be concerned with raising his children to the best of his ability. When you have kids to worry about, society's woes become consistently amplified which is clear on Class War.
The musical direction isn't too varied from Die Young to Class War. Whereas Wisdom In Chains have always incorporated different musical stylings into their brand of hardcore such as street punk, metal, rock, and thrash to name a few; this time around those underpinnings have moved more to the forefront. The guitars (courtesy of Richie and Tony) have loosened their shackles, so to speak, and seem to stretch their legs more. The rhythm section (Big Show and Shane) have always pummeled along and continue to do so here with even harder blows and more exhausting fervor.
Wisdom In Chains will be around for awhile. Unlike most of their peers in the hardcore scene there's little redundancy present in their music. They evolve without compromising and represent a multitude of musical backgrounds that allow their sound to weave in and out of the hardcore spectrum without becoming tired. Add this to the band's hard-working attributes in terms of touring and recording, and they own a formula for success. Being on Eulogy Recordings doesn't hurt either.
Rating: 5/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: Cap City, My Promise, The Land of Kings, No Justice For The Working Man
Synopsis: Wisdom In Chains MySpace and their website