Cali's own Hardcore fanatics LIONHEART are back with a new album. Valley of Death. They will bring their usual aggressive stance of Hardcore mixing with a more Metal approach. This is their 2^nd album after disbanding from 2016-17. Let's see if they still have what it takes to kick out a great album, from the West Coast. LHHC

"Burn" dos have a good build up from the off. The Hardcore vocals are in full, along with the Meal Hardcore mix you may have heard band like HATEBREED doing. The aggression in the vocals is clear to hear. These guys have a message through the lyrics. The pace is slower than other bands do, but LIONHEART hold it well in their own way, as per usual, it's a true skill.

"For the Record" is about album reviews and critics. Hopefully I'm not one of the people they are talking off in the negative ways. They are aware of who they are and what they represent. It's a slower song than "Burn" but it has a purpose it makes reference to "LLHC" on their album "Welcome to the West Coast" where they say about they do this shit for the fans not the money from selling records. They have principles and they want everyone to know.

"Rock Bottom" is not just a WWE finisher, it's a decent hardcore song too. It's all about personal issues and overcoming them. The beat keeps ticking over really well. There is a Hardcore breakdown towards the end where the aggression builds into a climax, exploding. If you have heard the LHHC before you know this is a formula, they have used before to perfection.

"When I Get Out", before the song starts, this sounds like a threat from the wrongfully accused. It starts with a burst of energy from all the band. The lyrics make it seem like the subject is no the wrongfully accused, but this is a hate song. The song is centered towards a snitch that is going to pay when the other subject is free. The beat at the end is full of breakdowns. Towards the end of the song it contains 3 words which are the next song

"Born Feet First" continues the sludge style guitars from the previous song, more KINGDOM OF SORROW than HATEBREED, but awesome nonetheless. The vocals have the customary aggression we come to expect from these guys. The beat ticks over, looping the structure of the song perfectly. It's thicker Hardcore than most expect, but it's awesome.

"Stories From the Gutter" if ever there was a back story to tell life to go fuck itself, it's this. The breakdown is aggressive, frantic, but effective. There is little need for extended lyrics. These seem like stories from other people, like KING 810 did for their first album. So when you think you have it bad, is it as bad as these stories?

This is old school Hardcore length songs throughout. No song over 3-minutes. The songs are all effective, and each you want to keep going for longer, leaving you wanting more every time. The band have not changed their sound or lyrical influences from Day 1. It's still all about the fans. LHHC!