So did I really need this album by the young American guys of LIONS LIONS to remind you people why I disagree with the notion that more than just several people has been saying that Metal is solely for kids? I don't think so but it is a good example for elaboration. With this example named "To Carve Our Names", via Hollywood Waste Records, I can safely say that Hardcore music, and I mean the modern version as I just can't abuse the strong old efforts of Hardcore / Crossover acts such as S.O.D. or M.O.D. never mind the Thrash Metal elements within, is simple and flowing just for kids and teenagers. Of course that Metal is here for kids as well, and I am a proof of that and I know many others in my age and a little less that have been also into Metal since early childhood. But for the new generation of modern kids, and I believe that it is a large number of them, modern Hardcore also added by elements of modern Punk Rock, yeah the stuff that you see on MTV as well, is their thing (And I don't mean Emocore).

The main basics behind the music of LIONS LIONS are simplicity and catchiness. You can say the same for some of the Glam Metal / AOR / Hard Rock acts, but at least within these Metal and Rock subgenres there are other ingredients that aided the songs to be more attractive and spicy. I think that you probably guessed that I am talking about the lead guitar work or when it comes to most of the AOR acts there are also the keyboards that provide a nice overhead. However, within the Hardcore nature of LIONS LIONS, there aren't any keyboards or lead guitar performances. Call it laziness but I do believe that some of the players just haven't really known how to produce good lead fretwork in the first place. So I was left with catchy choruses and riff driven compositions. As for the choruses some have good potential on running in the same formula such as many similar acts, but in overall there is a repetitive sense that just won't diminish. I liked lead singer's vocal work, he has a good voice pattern, even though it is quite similar to plenty out there. As for the rhythms, I wasn't surprised even for a moment. I knew what to expect right from the first main riff of the opening track "Milestones". There were two good examples where LIONS LIONS were able to attract my attention with the melodic "Grounded" that reminded me of an up to date version of early 90s and late 80s Metal creations while "The Right Steps" was plainly a fun track to listen with its catchiness and coolness. On the other hand the finishing cut of "Our Colors" reeks like a bad cheese, I suggest to not let these guys do ballads at all, so unappealing. There is also "Stable As Stone" that is a repeating venture with its kick down riffing and boring vocal work on the verses.

As I mentioned earlier, LIONS LIONS and "To Carve Our Names" is one of many modern Hardcore albums spread like flies among the world's music markets. I am afraid that there is nothing extraordinary within their material, even though they produced some songs that gave the notion that there is a positive direction.  If you already heard it all, this one won't be any different. However, I trust that if you give it a listen it would be some fun, even if you are not a kid.