If we’re being honest with ourselves, it is much more likely that you’ll find me in a meeting with a Fidelity financial advisor, discussing college payment and retirement planning than sporting a MADBALL longsleeve and discoursing on the finer points of holding it down, standing ground, and commanding respect. But that’s never been an obstacle for me in appreciating in the rawness in the rougher side of hardcore, all of which exists far apart from my daily windshield.

Empire, MADBALL’s eighth full-length is another headstrong declaration of the band’s all-or-nothing approach to life. Ever since their comeback full-length Legacy, the band has tilted towards to more positive anthems, and though Empire certainly has its fits of bravado and glimmers of violence (“Hurt You” – natch), a ‘seize every opportunity’ mentality is the imposing take-away (plus a notable, unexpected swipe at energy conglomerates and hollow politicians). MADBALL doesn’t do musical surprises, just refinements of the classic NYHC template that they’ve hashed out now for 20 something years – a tightly-composed grid of groove, mosh, and ominous bass that differ enough throughout the tracklisting to avoid monotony. Freddy Cricien might be getting older, but his vocals hit harder than ever, and the extra emphasis on the vocals in the mix is one of Empire’s clear improvements from the guitar saturated sound of 2007′s Infiltrate The System.

“Dark Horse” is one of the most intimidating songs from MADBALL in ages. There’s just something especially chilling in the way Cricien warns the world to not count him out after being left for dead. No worries here Freddy – MADBALL and doubt are two things unlikely to cross ever again.

Good Fight