BIG POST. Yankees Game/It's Alive 1st Review.

First Yankee game of the season was witnessed yesterday, and hopefully it won't be the last in the house that Ruth built, as there are only 49 games left (according to the metlife countdown sign) at home.

Braving the sweltering heat, but also lucking out with seats under the canopy created by the upper deck, I had the chance to watch Joba make his 2nd start, and saw my boy Giambi blast his 14th of the season.

New joint. 2009.

All in all, great game. Could've been more hits but this isn't basketball so I'll take the score. 6-3 Yankee win keeps my streak alive of never attending a Yankee game that resulted in a loss. This one brings the total to 7. Like I said, homers by Giambi, as well as Abreu. Johnny Damon kept his fire in the heat rocking a triple as well. This was also the first time I've got to see Mariano close. The Enter Sandman intro is so dramatic with the fans it reminded me of a WWF(e) event. He killed it as expected

A-Rod. Sorry no zoom on the Sidekick camera.

Acknowledging victory.

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It's Alive's first review is up on the net!!!

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Name of Patient::
It's Alive
Date of Birth::
05/2008
Region and Country of Origin::
Albany, NY, USA
Height:
It's Alive have been brewing up a NYHC storm since 2006.
Weight:
This is the band's first demo, but make no mistake; the guys have done their time.
Significant Findings:
To say Upstate, NY hardcore influenced my lifestyle and values for a number of years would be an understatement. Albany especially. Of course every dog has its day though, and the hotbed status of Albany and its surrounding small towns has convincingly been seized by other areas, notably Boston (Bridge 9) and Philadelphia (Deathwish, Inc.). As much as I wish bands like One King Down, Wrath, Section 8, Cutthroat, and Another Victim were still playing weekends either Upstate or even farther up into Canada like I fondly remember, I'm realistic that kids these days don't seem to have an ear for the more metallic, edgy hardcore of the 90's. Finger-pointing has taken a backseat to two-stepping, if I could put it so eloquently. But who am I to complain? I had my fun as a hardcore kid, now the youth of today should have theirs. I find it both rare and intriguing, then, that a band of veritable veterans like It's Alive, whose rhythm section is comprised of Bill Scoville and Derrick Van Wie, two standout musicians who played and toured on two of Albany's most well-known and classic hardcore records, "Bloodlust Revenge" and "God Loves, Man Kills," could generate some convincing-enough new material to fan the flames of discontent among current hardcore kids. I find it admirable to be perfectly honest. And the way they pull off the Madball/Maximum Penalty/Agnostic Front/Biohazard vibe is just ruthless. Jesus, they sound ten times more hardcore than that new NYC supergroup, Bloodclot, and I doubt any of these guys have been through half of what the fully-sleeved lifers in John Joseph's new concoction have been. It's Alive even comes across sounding like "Ill Blood"-era No Warning at times which, as much as readers will cringe due to their controversial follow-up record "Suffer, Survive" (which was incredibly, by the way), is a straight-faced compliment. It's Alive vocalist Kyle Chard rips holes through the listener's ears, sounding like Mike DC from Damnation AD if he were to scream even less in key. So make no mistake, It's Alive isn't just a couple of old dudes looking for an excuse to sell merch. I don't even see t-shirts for sale on their Myspace page. This is abrasive, rough-around-the-edges, and hardcore through and through. Albany HC lives to see another day.
Possible Diagnosis:
While the band's name could almost be a metaphoric proclamation for the Albany hardcore scene itself, rather than a dying breath from the carcass of the once-central Albany hardcore scene, "Only Death Will Deliver" is fresh and new. Bitter, sure, but what hardcore kid over the age of 25 isn't? If the goal of It's Alive is to be signed and exposed to larger audiences, then so shall it be, as "Only Death Will Deliver" is not the sound of an unsigned band.
recomendation::
It's Alive delivers punchy, effective hardcore which reverently bridges the gap between the timeless NYHC sound and the much-missed but not forgotten metallic hardcore Albany scene of the 90's.

Siked! Thanks to Canada for the kind words. It's Alive.