Beginning life in 1995, Bane stemmed from Converge guitarist Aaron Dalbec and friend Aaron Bedard as a mere side project. Numerous recordings later the band unleashed their debut in late 99 titled "It All Comes Down to This" which went on to be a hardcore punk classic. Now, 2 years later the band have unleashed the eagerly awaited follow up which continues in much the same style of previous efforts with its socially aware lyrics delivered against anthemic sing a long choruses and a melodic metallic edge.

"Give Blood" finds the band in good form with this being their hardest sounding music to date, taking a positive approach often typical amongst bands in the straight edge scene. The singer's exasperated yells add gravitas to a vocal subject, which alone has enough substance to read like a gospel. Taking on such difficult subjects as life and death and more to the point, Americas war with Vietnam and the internal decay of a country's moral fibre. Heavy stuff indeed with songs like "Release The Rounds" taking on an added poignancy in light of recent events in America.

Ultimately the albums appeal will be limited by its very nature yet the fact that the band don't like to shout about their straight edge credentials may open them up to a wider audience. Whilst the metalcore scene has come more and more to the forefront, old school hardcore is as resolute and firm as ever and what better band to demonstrate this than Bane.