Content With Dying by Chokehold free essay sample

Chokehold is a metallic hardcore band from Canada that, while only staying together about six years, was a very established and influential act in the straight-edge/vegan hardcore scene. Their second album, â€Å"Content With Dying,† is easily their angriest and most passionate, which is really saying something; if theres one thing Chokehold never lacked, its passion. You can agree or disagree with their viewpoints, but youve got to respect a band that can put their message before their music and still come out with a near classic. Their messages arent uncommon either. In fact, they are still controversial with views on religion and abortion. The latter is discussed in the song â€Å"Not a Solution.† Now, Id be lying if I told you this band was made up of excellent musicians, but that wouldnt be the point even if this album did put the music first. We will write a custom essay sample on Content With Dying by Chokehold or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page A good amount of time on the album is spent playing clips from an old Young Republicans Youth Choir record – basically a man discussing the negative points of America, as the band goes on to counter his arguments in the next song. The musicianship is not the point, as this record is impressively simplistic. Keeping a mid-tempo throughout, the band just plods and chugs along with some of the most made-for-headbanging riffs in the genre, best demonstrated in the opening track, â€Å"Underneath.† As good as it is, the album could use a bit of remastering. The production is very raw and suitable for this type of music, but it feels hollow at points, with a lack of low-end, and the drums are turned up higher than they should be, even though they themselves are produced well and sound very tight. The guitars should dominate the album; theyre perfectly distorted and full of groove. Much more so than their previous effort, â€Å"Prisoner of Hope.† The band has cut back on the amount of breakdowns and melody from that album, and made the vocals more discernible while keeping them just as intense. Vocalist Chris Galas delivers his politically charged lyrics in a clear shouting style. His voice couldnt be stronger, and the same can be said for his lyrics, like those on the track â€Å"Conditioned†: â€Å"Does anybody care? Or are they too busy watching and learning? Glued to the TV while the rest of the world is burning.† Just like the musicianship, the lyrics are simple yet powerful. â€Å"Content With Dying† isnt the most varied record; its more or less the same kind of metal-influenced, chuggy riffs throughout, but this albums twenty-some minutes of music doesnt give them enough time to get old. In fact, if anything, theres not enough of them. Sadly this was Chokeholds last full-length attempt, but it remains one of the best in the genre, not to mention the heaviest and most memorable. Its an essential addition to any collection of ?s hardcore fan, and shouldnt be overlooked by those interested in the genre.