DAMAGE CONTROL “What It Takes”
Storming out of Oslo, Norway, DAMAGE CONTROL truly bring back the spirit of ’88 with some heart stopping melodic straight-edge hardcore in the vein of their obvious heroes, GORILLA BISCUITS, CHAIN OF STRENGTH, UNIFORM CHOICE and 7 SECONDS. Without a doubt in my mind, if “What It Takes” was a part of the classic Revelations Records back-catalog, DAMAGE CONTROL would be a band known by every hardcore kid worldwide. A more jaded listener might take issue with the fact that in 16 years, DAMAGE CONTROL seem to have progressed nowhere from the origin of their influences, but that person would be denying themself some thoroughly enjoyable music. The key to the twelve songs on “What It Takes” is the generous infusion of melody into the lead vocals. DAMAGE CONTROL’s frontman has that necessary youthful exhuberance that elevates an ordinary hardcore band to the next level, and his ability to hold on to selected notes for extended periods of time, especially on the sixth song, “The Effort,” is a defining characteristic. You have most likely heard all the same chord progressions, dance parts, and well-placed gang vocals before, but nonetheless, DAMAGE CONTROL manage to stamp their own take on the fare in fine fashion. Maybe when this whole screamo thing dies down, another youth-crew revival will be just around the corner…
Livewire Records
