Massachusetts' own Since The Flood have assaulted the New England hardcore/metal scene for close to two years delivering their energized brand of metallic vengeance to the masses. After releasing two sought-after demos, Unearth's Trevor Phipps came calling, and a short time later the group found themselves signed to his Ironclad Recordings label. With their aptly titled debut, "Valor And Vengeance", the group stride forth with their goals quite clear: decimate the hardcore world while spreading their beliefs of standing up for oneself and one's associates.

The unmitigated aggression that courses through the songs offered here have a savage quality that is fairly common but rarely this accessible. There is also a dominant sense of loyalty and honor felt throughout the album, as the band feel it is necessary to make a positive statement amidst the hardcore mortar shells exploding left and right of them. The intensity that forms the group's pulse manifests in every raw scream and the breakdowns found here hit with the impact of a herd of raging elephants. "24K" carries a devastating blow akin to New York heavyweights Full Blown Chaos, and the relentless explosion of hardcore tenacity should prove to be a crowd favorite. There is little variation to be found though, as Since The Flood have clearly set out to simply destroy all in their path, and this juggernaut approach does leave the album feeling rather repetitive as it progresses. Though the momentum is on their side and the band rely heavily on their strong-arm tactics to carry the nonstop blitz. You may not be able to distinguish one song from another if only giving the album a quick spin, but if you're looking for chunky metalcore with a thirst for violence you should not go away disappointed.

"Valor And Vengeance" is a standard hardcore album laced with heavy metal tendencies, chronicling the tried and true formula of the New England underground. The band never try to expand upon the given style, and instead practice inside the expected boundaries that they have chosen to perform. The songs captured here are full of break-neck energy and surprisingly catchy moments - traits that are shared like-minded bands such as Sworn Enemy and Hatebreed, and fans of this particular style should find plenty on this debut to be satisfied by. Since The Flood have joined the forces of today's hardcore/metal in an all-out war against those who dare oppose, and while their form of aural warfare is quite routine, it is exceedingly skilled in slaughtering all those that stand upon this hardcore battleground.