More Than Just a Supergroup
Considering the insular nature of hardcore, there are many bands in existence that could call themselves a supergroup, but not all deserve the title… and even fewer actually do something interesting. Featuring vocals by Terror’s Scott Vogel and including members of bands like Envy, Strife, Judge, and the all-mighty Gorilla Biscuits, World Be Free are undoubtedly deserving of the title, and they’re making it count. Their debut release The Anti-Circle, is a thoroughly solid hardcore record from start to finish. While it may not be an instant classic (though this group certainly has the potential for that in the future), the bar has been set for hardcore in 2016 and it is exciting.
Though many of the members of World Be Free are known for playing in bands on the tough-guy, angrier side of hardcore, one of the most interesting things about this band is their focus on playing more melodic, posi hardcore. This is noticeable immediately with the fun, danceable opening track, “World Be Free.” The band’s name may be familiar to some as the chosen name for basketball player Lloyd Free (World B. Free), because the group was inspired by his mission statement, “I’ll say what I’m going to do, and then I’ll go out and do it.” That sort of straight forward determination and honesty is really what hardcore is all about, so the connection makes sense.
And World Be Free is definitely honest. Songs like “I’m Done,” featuring Quicksand’s Walter Schreifels (seriously, emphasis on supergroup), is sure to resonate with fans and will have kids of all ages singing along at shows. With songs like “Of My World” and the title track, “The Anti-Circle,” there will be no shortage of dancing and moshing, a good time to be had by any sort of hardcore fan.
The Anti-Circle may be a bit formulaic, but heck these are the guys who invented the formula, and they definitely still know how to make it fun. With all of the crossing over and reinventing happening in hardcore, it’s refreshing to hear a band play energetic, upbeat, straight-forward hardcore and make it stand out. Keep an eye on this band, folks, they are a welcome addition to the scene.
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