ARTIST: Downset TITLE: Maintain LABEL: Nuclear Blast GENRE: Crossover SOURCE: CD BITRATE: 268 kbps avg PLAYTIME: 36:51 RELEASE DATE: 2022-00-00 RIP DATE: 2022-06-14 ENCODER: LAME 64bits version 3.100 (http://lame.sf.net) -V0 URL: Track List ---------- 1. Maintain 2:58 2. Blackest Of Days 2:50 3. New Respect 2:13 4. Won't Forget 3:09 5. Wreck It 3:26 6. On Lock 3:26 7. The Place To Be 3:47 8. Your Power 2:43 9. Positive Mind 3:07 10. Hear Me Now 2:44 11. Deeper 3:51 12. Ready For This 2:37 Release Notes: It was in the mid-80s when a band called Social Justice started in Los Angeles, California. Social Justice was the predecessor of Downset. The renamed band premiered in 1994 with the ædownset.Æ album and the debut contains with æAnger!Æ a great crossover hymn that paved the way for the success of the sophomore longplayer æDo We Speak a Dead Language?Æ. After having unleashed their third album, æCheck Your PeopleÆ Downset couldnÆt continue their streak of success in the fields of crossover metal and line-up changes didnÆt support either. Although having released two more longplayer, the band couldnÆt get close to the furious first three longplayers and therefor the expectation hasnÆt been sky-high when receiving the information of Downset having a new record ready to go. What created a certain interest though was, that the band release the album through Nuclear Blast and after having had a first listen to the 12 songs, it became apparent why that label signed the band. æMaintainÆ is the title of DownsetÆs new album which is real blast. The positive surprise is that Downset can connect to the early days. The guys maintain the spirit of the early æ90s and transport it into 2022. Downset belong to the pioneers of a genre that blends hardcore, metal and hip-hop. The result of the musical melting pot is music with an extreme groove-factor and the hard riffs. Combined with meaningful lyrics about social life and politic, the band has something to say. And unforgotten is the æFood for FunÆ Campaign from 1996. The first loud signal of æMaintainÆ becoming a great album was the single release of æPlace to BeÆ. What a riff that kicks-off this monster track. An irresistible groove and slower pace make the song massive crossover anthem and itÆs not the only one on the album. The title track marks the starting point of the new longplayer, and it is a direction-giving one. A mighty beat, roaring guitars and a massive groove is what gets out of the speakers and invites for jumping around. The good thing is, that the quality of songs is consistent through-out. The album doesnÆt know a real weak spot and tunes like æNew RespectÆ and æWreck ItÆ, the latter with a strong bass-intro, belong the best Downset has released in decades. With æPositive EnergyÆ Downset has Prophets Of Rage-reminding song on the tracklist, something that doesnÆt surprise knowing that Downset and the legendary Rage Against The Machine started about the same time. æMaintainÆ is an album with many wow-moments. I really like the first three longplayers of the band and seeing Downset back with full power is a very good signal. Hopefully æMaintainÆ is the beginning of a thrilling next era of a band that plays an important role in crossover metal.