Review
Donnybrook
Lions in this Game

Hand of Hope (2005) Michael

Donnybrook – Lions in this Game cover artwork
Donnybrook – Lions in this Game — Hand of Hope, 2005

Donnybrook take their namesake from a famous festival in Ireland that is notorious for its brawls. So taking that into account, it isn't a surprise that the California outfit plays a variation of tough-guy hardcore. However, on the band's debut full-length, Lions in this Game, Donnybrook attempt to break the stigma that there is nothing more to a tough-guy hardcore band than ridiculous breakdowns and antagonistic lyrics.

"Read Em and Weep" is either an album intro made into full song or just a really short song. Regardless of what it is technically considered, the song sets the stage for the twelve tracks of Death Threat-and-Terror-akin hardcore that comprises this album. Rather than relying on predictable breakdowns - oh you know when they're coming - something fairly typical to bands of their style and zest of hardcore, Donnybrook derives a more traditional style of hardcore reliant on fast-paced drum work and blistering guitars, with the occasional solo thrown in for good measure - see "Get Real."

The band does mix things up, venturing into the more mosh-driven hardcore realm over the course of the album. Tracks like "Purify," "Techno-logic Kill," and "Down for the Core" each make use of heavy-as-hell breakdowns, up-tempo spots perfect for two-stepping, and gang choruses for the sing-along kids.

Donnybrook again gives the listener a taste of something different on the track "Word is Bond." Toward the end of the track vocalist Dre Stewart throws in a little rhyme, a possible homage to local legends Downset, perhaps. The band follows it up with a cover of District 9's "Victim." The song fits in with Donnybrook's style quite well and demonstrates where the band takes a good portion of their influence from.

For the final two tracks, "Get Your Mind Right" and "Fist Over Fist," the band returns to what they do best: hardcore moving at a good clip with that brash ferocity that makes hardcore such a virulent style of music.

Outside of the music contained within, I felt it important to touch on the artwork used for this release. Depicted throughout the pages are graphic novel inspired - no, not comic book - drawings of a brawl at a hockey match done by artist Mike Bukowski, whose artwork you might recall from Comeback Kid's debut effort. His style is unique and I think the subject matter compliments the intensity of the music.

With Lions in this Game under their belt, Donnybrook will no doubt find their way into the hearts of many a hardcore kid. One thing that made me appreciate this album more than I normally would is that Donnybrook made attempts to distinguish themselves from the every increasing crowd of hardcore bands. For this I applaud them.

7.0 / 10Michael • June 29, 2005

Donnybrook – Lions in this Game cover artwork
Donnybrook – Lions in this Game — Hand of Hope, 2005

Related news

Donnybrook album set for release

Posted in Records on August 17, 2010

Donnybrook Canadian Tour

Posted in Tours on June 16, 2010

Grave Maker / Donnybrook Tourdates

Posted in Tours on March 11, 2010

Recently-posted album reviews

Errth

Errth
Uncle Style Records (2025)

What makes a gruff vocal melodic punk band stand out? That's the question I'm asking myself as I listen to Errth's debut on repeat. I've been playing this record for probably a month straight and I dig it. It checks the heart-on-sleeve style I enjoy but I'm struggling to figure out why, exactly. I think on this, it's the tones … Read more

1186

Histeria
Drunken Sailor (2025)

If you read enough press releases, you start questioning if you even know what genre names mean. Post-punk has been one of the most abused terms of the past 2-3 years and it seems to mean wildly different things to different people. To me, it’s always meant an ear for angular guitars and noise atop more traditional song concepts. 1186 … Read more

Li Jianhong

Shuttle Raven of the Dream
Utech (2025)

Li Jianhong's philosophy surpasses the direct relationship of a musician with their instrument of choice. Instead, Li has advocated for Environment Improvisation, where the urge to create and improvise is established by the artist's surroundings. Looking at Li's website you can find numerous instances that inspired him to settle down and start improvising, drawing energy from the surroundings. The music … Read more