BLOOD STANDS STILL ‘Salvation Through Struggle’ (Mediaskare) RATING: 5/10

By JEFF MAKI

“What doesn't kill me makes me stronger!” That's the first lyric barked by Blood Stands Still vocalist Mark Williams on Salvation Through Struggle, the California band's first album on Mediaskare. If that isn't a dead giveaway to the band's sound, I don't know what is. Yeah, you guessed it, this is toughguy hardcore metal, still somehow making it's rounds year after year. There's nothing truly bad about Blood Stands Still's music, it's just way too predictable and the album comes across as a cliché. You get your screaming, barked vocals, gang vocals, hardcore riffs and yes, breakdowns, and “can't hold me down” lyircs. From what I can hear, Biohazard and Sepultura influences add more metal to their attack than the average hardcore band. But let's face it, band's like this are a dime a dozen. Something can be said for a band that has toured with Throwdown and Terror, but I have heard 40 bands like Blood Stands Still in the last two years and nothing here catches my attention or peaks my interest.