After years of relative silence, The Warriors roar back into the scene with Burn Yourself Alive, an album that doesn't just pick up where they left off—it barrels forward with a renewed sense of urgency and purpose. Rooted in the California hardcore sound that helped define their legacy, this record delivers a dense and groovy blend of metallic hardcore with sludgy undertones, wrapped in raw, occasionally uneven production that somehow enhances the grit.

The guitars hit hard with sharp, often crushing riffs, but it's the bass that frequently stands out—murky, vibrant, and thick, giving the songs a low-end weight that pulls everything down into darker, heavier territory. At times, the production veers toward lo-fi, muffling some of the instrumental clarity, but the grit only adds to the intensity. When the mix does clean up, especially in the record’s midsection, the instrumentation locks in tighter, offering a more dynamic and polished punch.

Vocally, there's a consistent fire—gruff and aggressive, yet clear enough to follow. The band occasionally channels the rage and cadence of Rage Against the Machine, especially on tracks where vocal rhythms drive the momentum just as much as the instrumentation. Gang vocals and layered screams add urgency without ever feeling overdone, giving several songs that all-important pit-call vibe.

Rhythmically, Burn Yourself Alive strikes a balance between punk speed and groove-driven stomp. Some of the record’s strongest moments come when The Warriors slow things down just enough to let a riff breathe before crashing into a breakdown. Drums are tight and commanding, often making full use of the kit, especially in tracks where fills and tempo shifts bring dimension to otherwise straightforward arrangements.

There’s a real sense of evolution here—not just a reunion or retread. The band experiments with more melodic sections and solos without sacrificing their core heaviness. And while a few tracks fall into familiar hardcore tropes, the energy never dips for long. Toward the end, the record feels like it kicks into a higher gear, culminating in some of the heaviest and most fully realized material they’ve ever written.

Ultimately, Burn Yourself Alive is both a statement of defiance and a celebration of survival. The Warriors prove they still have something to say, and they’re more than willing to say it loudly, messily, and with everything they've got. It’s a record that might not reinvent hardcore, but it doesn’t need to—it simply reaffirms why The Warriors still matte

RATING: 7.5/10