Myrtle Beach, South Carolina death/thrash metal act THE CLASSIC STRUGGLE pound some fury into their second full-length, Bring Back The Glory. With two different directions of music colliding in merciless fashion, THE CLASSIC STRUGGLE put a unique spin on the heaviest of genres. Tim Zlinsky’s demonic lead vocals align with the NAPALM DEATH camp of metal, while the dual thrashing guitars go Gothenburg one minute with rapid arpeggios, and pulverizing mosh metal the next with enough chugging to power a freight line, all while drummer Tyler Solnosky does his best to keep his wrists from snapping (Solnosky has since left the band). With UNEARTH’s Ken Susi mixing this release, a comparison with their labelmates is tenable, but it also undercuts THE CLASSIC STRUGGLE’s overt deathcore influence (which peaks on the rampaging “You’ve Got to Die of Something”). It’s a shame there isn’t more melody in the crafty guitarwork, but it’s not surprising in that the band’s image and lyrical posture suits a rougher premise than that of the slick overachievers across the pond (think CALIBAN or HEAVEN SHALL BURN for reference). Not jaw dropping – but not cookie-cutter either.

Ironclad / Metal Blade

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