### End Begins: One step forward, a lifetime back

#### 24/03/11 || Habakuk

Apparently, every country needs their Madball. America’s got, well, Madball, Germany used to have Ryker’s, Finland has End Begins. Are there any other countries? Nevermind. In case you don’t know said band, they play tough guy NY Hardcore of the decent kind, think Hatebreed with more punk and less breakdowns.

That’s that, and End Begins change nothing in their “metal influenced hardcore” (metal apparently makes for a pretty weak influence, but I do understand they couldn’t call it Madball influenced hardcore), leaving all the ingredients in place: thick, downtuned guitars, d-beaty drumming, songs under 3 minutes, tough guy shouting and a few (!) chugging one-note riffs thrown into the groove soup for good measure.

So, is that a problem? If you ask me – and let’s assume that for a second, shall we – no. Let Finland have their own New York, and let them have their own NYHC accordingly. At least if they do it well, and End Begins sure do that. It comes across as genuine despite the obvious parallels, so I wouldn’t call this a mere rip-off either. On the other hand, less-inclined listeners might of course dismiss this as “just another Hatebreed clone” and that is understandable as well. End Begins sure won’t win them over, and they fortunately don’t try, but focus on their strengths instead: playing pumping, straightforward jock NYHC.

One more thing though – there is no excuse for using the following vocal line in any song anymore, let alone a hardcore song. Fasten your seatbelt, dear reader:

Don’t push me ‘cause I’m close to the eeeeeedge!

Yep, that’s in there. That’s not cool, fellas. Apart from that, enjoy your:

- Information
- Released: 2011
- Label: Fullhouse Records
- Website: End Begins MySpace
- Band
- No Infolaainnen: vocals
- Tompe Unknowniinnen: guitars
- Ville Obscurunen: guitars
- Jussi Whoknowslund: bass
- Tuomas Härdcoriöönen: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Anger management
- 02. Scapegoat
- 03. Empty bottles
- 04. Curse of indecision
- 05. Angel heart
- 06. Bear witness
- 07. Prove me wrong
- 08. In chains
- 09. Bullet
- 10. Yellow tape