Forget what you think you know about Boston Hardcore.
Beyond the stereotype of “beatdowns”, the “tough guy” exterior, the simplistic “chugga chugga” riffage, and so much more than just a mosh pit is one of the hardest working bands in hardcore: Death Before Dishonor. In the four years since they originally joined the Bridge Nine roster, Death Before Dishonor has released two full-length albums, two 7”’s, and played over 1,000 shows around the globe. Now, Death Before Dishonor is gearing up to release their third and most accomplished studio album to date - Better Ways to Die. This album not only solidifies Death Before Dishonor’s commitment to what they do as a band, but it also displays their unflinching ability and desire to establish themselves outside of clichés and the pre-defined constructs of what it is to be “hardcore.”
With their 2007 release of Count Me In , Death Before Dishonor caught people off guard as the album debuted on the Billboard Heatseekers Charts, Independent Albums and Top New Artist charts and stayed there for over four weeks. Regional and National press took notice, as did radio and video outlets. Death Before Dishonor embarked on a world tour to promote Count Me In, supporting cornerstones of the hardcore world like Agnostic Front, Madball, Sick Of It All, and Hatebreed, as well as modern powerhouses Have Heart and Terror. DBD hit every nook and cranny around the world - Europe, Australia, Japan, Great Britain, Mexico, Canada and the entire continental US – Count Me In was officially a success.
Fast forward to 2009 and Death Before Dishonor returned to Boston to write and record what would become Better Ways To Die – which did not come without obstacles. Member changes ensued, a new drummer was added into the fold, and the band found themselves in a spot of free agency as their contract had expired with their home since 2005 - Bridge Nine Records. Vocalist Bryan Harris stated, “It was a weird position to be in since we’ve pretty much been with Bridge Nine since the beginning, but staying with the label was an easy decision for us. They’ve always cared about our band and since Count Me In came out, they’ve grown to become that ‘next level’ label that our band needed to move forward.”
And move forward they did, as Better Ways To Die showcases Death Before Dishonor reaching outside of the safe hardcore formulas both in songs and content while still retaining their roots in the South Boston upbringing. Produced by Jim Siegel, Better Ways To Die lies somewhere between the harder punk edge of Rancid, the working class anthems of fellow Bostonians Dropkick Murphys, the hardcore attack of Hatebreed and the precision and riffage of Slayer – this is the sound of a true Boston Hardcore band.
Lyrically, Better Ways To Die is an undeniable view into the world that is Death Before Dishonor; the blue collar, overlooked, undervalued segments of society and how we all survive in the face of adversity. However, this album pushes beyond just anger and rage as songs like “Remember” and “Our Glory Days” remind us of the hope that can be found in punk and hardcore music. Further diversifying the album is “Boys In Blue”, which takes the punk mentality of “fuck the police” and turns it on the wrongful arrest and abuse of Harris’ brother. The title track is a unique view on war and its effects in a poorer neighborhood and is perhaps one of the best Death Before Dishonor songs to date.
Better Ways To Die is the sound of defiance when all one is surrounded with is defeat and marginalization. “If it weren’t for this band, I would be sitting in Massachusetts. In the last two years I’ve been to Australia, Russia, Ukraine, Japan, all across Europe, the US and Canada and I’ve seen all four oceans. We have no reason to stop now- people are now starting to pay attention”, said Harris. So pay attention: Better Ways To Die is the new definition of Boston Hardcore.
