Strongarm

The Advent of a Miracle (Tooth & Nail)
by Doug Sery

With the words “…only love can fill the void” on the inside of Strongarm‘s The Advent of a Miracle, I thought here perhaps was the rebellion-from-the-fold (Christian or otherwise) I expect from a clear-headed, independent hardcore band, but nope, same ol’, same ol’. Two guitars, bass, drums, and a vocalist owing a major debt to “Barney” Greenway and Phil Anselmo. Musically, the band doesn’t quite have the same impact as Overcome’s sonic onslaught. Apparently, the band has gone through a number of line-up changes and it shows. After two 7″s and a CD, you would expect a tighter sound than evidenced on their second full-length. It’s not bad, just not particularly good. And there’s those dammed lyrics again! What do these kids have? Some sort of supplication template on which to base their songs? Look, hardcore has been preachy since Ian MacKaye kicked it off with “Straight Edge.” But there’s a big difference between “I’m a person just like you/ But I’ve got better things to do/ Than sit around and smoke dope/ ‘Cause I know I can cope” and “God will break the yoke that burdens you/ But, those who refuse to see, leading others astray in your iniquities/ Terror will seize you/ the hour of judgment will come.” Lighten up, will ya?