Four Year Strong: ‘Rise Or Die Trying’

It’s clear that Massachusetts five-piece Four Year Strong are destined to be the darlings of the emo-pop-punk circuit, and with it’s popularity somehow still growing there’s never been a better time either.

With their harmonised vocals interlaced over thrashy guitar melodies, hardcore drumming and some unexpected synth running along with it, these guys are tipped to be big. Although it’d be easy to assume that they’re just another emo band, on closer inspection this does not seem to be the case.

With their upbeat punky demeanour blended with hardcore influences, Four Year Strong share similarities with bands such as I Am The Avalanche, New Found Glory and Daggermouth. And although the genre has ‘been done before’ as it were, Four Year Strong retain a fresh sound throughout. The album's highlight has to be ‘Beatdown In The Key Of Happy’, with its fast and lively sound it has some real priceless lyrical nuggets in it. This, their debut album, has a fantastic rawness about it, but still manages to sound tight and well produced.

Released on 28th April 2008 by Hassle.

Written by Louise Cooper.