Downtread – Stand Your Ground 2012

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Getting a package from SKH Music is always exciting as I never know what to expect. Their latest package contained three new discs and I listened to the first couple and they were fairly good but the last disc I popped in was from the Minnesota band DOWNTREAD. I never heard of them but they did have a prior disc called “Without You Now” that featured a few tracks with George Lynch (LYNCH MOB/ex-DOKKEN). The new CD “Stand Your Ground” has ten new songs that to say the least were very impressive. Not only were the tracks written well but the music was killer and had great hooks with incredible guitar licks. I like the rawness of the songs that can reach an alternative crowd but the guitar work by Brett Petrusek pushes these guys up a notch to a more aggressive level.

The opening track “Stand Your Ground” blasts the track to mass appeal levels. Just listen to the lead guitar work by Petrusek, which is over the top. DOWNTREAD is one of those bands that possess three guitars that adds depth to the sound and the midsection of drummer Eric Domagall and bassist Robert Berg brings the power. These guys are the full package and you will hear that throughout the entire disc.

If you’re looking for songs that have radio air-play desire you basically can pick any track on “Stand Your Ground”. Just check out “Silent Location” it’s a song that will have great crowd participation and will have the screams coming from corners of the arena. It sure has that rock anthem vibe.

“Half Awake” has the pop of an eighties tune brought to the modern day. The chorus on the song is what gets you in gear for an incredible adventure of foot tapping music. The melodic guitar work soars and that is what I mean by DOWNTREAD being the full package of diversity. They bring melodic, aggressive and at times an AOR vibe on the disc.

My highlight song has to be “Take A Bow” “Get up, Get Up, Get Up, Get Up., Get Up”! You will not know what I’m talking about unless you hear the song (Now go buy the disc!) This is a great song! Listen to Petrusek go off the hook with those melodic/aggressive riffs and with the addition of guitarists Teddy Gordon and
Marc Paradise trading off licks these guys are pure gold.

Looking for a pop rock song then check out “Can’t Get It Straight” but don’t let the candy coated sound fool you. Just listen to the shredding guitar. Damn I almost went through the entire disc without mentioning vocalist Brett Petrusek who shines on “Lost In The Moment” (and every track on the disc). Once again the guitar work on “Lost In The Moment” is amazing.

Ending “Stand Your Ground” is another phenomenal song named “Black Remains” and it is sure to be a crowd favorite. I can’t say enough about DOWNTREAD’s “Stand Your Ground”. It’s a great release and the band should be very proud to put a product out that has platinum quality. I have been listening over and over and this one must be added to your collection as one of the top rock releases of 2012 so far. Pick it up…

Track Listing:

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