Strength Among Us and Last Nerve Demos
By Ryan Rundell

Strength Among Us Demo 1:
This CD is important to me because not only is it the first hardcore CD I ever owned, but it is also damn good. The Whole Band works together, both on this disc, and live, through brutal vocals, fast as hell drums, well-put-together guitar work, and distinctive bass (a rarity nowadays). Every one of the songs on this disc is distinctive, but the one that will become a classic to everyone who will go to a SAU show is "Live By the Cross". As the song is played, it is an audience effort, as far as the chorus goes.

Strength Among Us Demo #2
When I got the second disc, I was expecting it to be more like the first one. As far as that went, I was let down, in a way. Even though it is not like the first one, THIS CD FUCKING OWNS! I am happy with it either way! Song #2, All I can Do Is Hope, is brutal! Instant classic. The CD also reveals SAU's true nature with the gang vocals on a remake of Live By the Cross, sung as it usually is sung. I play both of these SAU demos for all my friends who wonder what the hell I am talking about when it comes to hardcore. SAU lets them know.

Last Nerve's Demo
These guys, a mixture of members of Strength Among Us and Ex-Dead By Morning are the perfect old-school hardcore band for those who are new to the hardcore game and need to be schooled. See, too many bands go the old-school route and sound just that, old. (See: The Strokes) Last Nerve has the old sound but manages to keep everything fresh, somehow. The songs are short, sing-along-able and make me personally wanna go get my skate with the one kick-tail and circle pit with any number of random people. It' also damn danceable. By danceable, I mean both dancing AND circle pitting. Whatever, if you cannot get a hold of the disc, then you can download the MP3's from dallashardcore.com. If you do not do that, at least put on your old, raggedy, Agnostic Front shirt, and Jam to some Black Flag.