Onesta - the american dream

This is Onesta's third album and once again on a new label as they gradually make their way around the Euro hardcore club - starting with France's Disagree records and ending up here on Berlin's Mad Mob records via Belgium's Goodlife. Why do I feel the need to mention this? Well all three labels have a reputation for releasing tough streetwise hardcore, and Onesta are a textbook example of that - what you see is what you get. These guys do have a couple of aces up their sleeves though, and firstly credit has to be given for their intelligent and critical lyrics that firmly point the finger at the new world order. Apart from a couple of obligatory tributes to the hardcore scene in the vein of Donnybrook and Death Threat, they make no bones about their contempt for UN and NATO policies and knowing of singer Bogdan's Serbian background, this is no empty posturing either.

Musically it is top notch mid-paced NY influenced hardcore - "Europe?s answer to Madball" springs to mind. Big heavy guitars, bass crunching and drums laying down the heavy groove. As you would expect, Bogdan?s vocals have that rap style delivery, spitting out hate and with the gang-style back ups on the choruses where you would expect them. They do pick up the pace at times bringing to mind Holland's No Turning Back, but then bringing the pace back down to a groove that is sure to satisfy the pit Olympic contenders on the dancefloor. A couple of heavyweight guest musicians from Barcode and Skarhead lend an international flavour to proceedings, and with some impressive touring schedules (Poland, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia ? and that's just 2012!) behind them, Onesta seem poised to put French HC firmly on the map with this new album. (powered by www.http://www.massmovement.co.uk///////)