This album, Warriors is a reasonably good release from New Yorkers Agnostic Front. I would say that it was great, except for the fact that it goes for far too long.

If you haven’t heard this band before, the vocalist’s style will sound weird to you. It sounds like he is trying to be tough as fu*k, but with a really strong attitude. Kind of like that tough-head you’ve always wanted to smash down a peg or two. While you could imagine that this would get old very quickly, it’s surprising how fast you get over it and accept that it is just part of this dude’s style. It’s a bit Rollins, actually, come to think of it. But not at all awful, and seems to fit Agnostic Front well.

So, just what is their style? It’s very New York, very Anthrax-y, a bit of ska here, a bit of thrash there, a bit of metalcore in the background. It’s furious and energetic, with a ton of attitude. All of the album is great, until about half-way through, when it starts to get a bit too much of the same.

Although it’s not a long album, at thirty-two minutes it feels like it has gone on forever. The other detraction, and it may not be a detraction depending on who you are and what you’re getting out of this music, is that the attitude is great – but the lyrics don’t always reflect it. For example, track seven, For My Family, is all about great family things. I’m all for that, but it softens that band’s image considerably.

For all that, though, it’s a good album. If you’re into Anthrax, or a bit of ska, or a bit of thrash, chances are you’ll dig this release.

Agnostic Front’s Warriors is out now on Nuclear Blast/Riot.