Artist: Stretch Arm Strong Album: Engage Label: Solid State Records Rating: 7 out of 10

Following shortly after a run of opening dates with pop-punkers Good Charlotte and New Found Glory, Engage finds positive hardcore veterans Stretch Arm Strong in fine form. Abandoning the slicker production of 2001's A Revolution Transmission, the band's third full-length for Seattle indie Solid State Records is a fast and furious summary of their strengths. On opener "We Bleed," SAS does what they do best, mixing heavy breakdowns with surprisingly catchy choruses. Likewise, strong tracks like the duel anthems "Raise Your Fist" and "Rising Again" are both mosh-ready and melodic. Other songs bear a punk influence, as memorable tracks like "Miles Apart" and "Black Clouds" are more akin to The Bouncing Souls than Sick of it All. And though SAS aren't at their best in punk mode, these made-for-mic-passing songs provide a nice break from the screaming and only make the heavy tracks seem heavier by comparison. The band hasn't lost touch with their hardcore roots though, as they tear through screamers like the fast and furious "Ignition" and first single "Devil Meets Devil," on which lead singer Chris McLane declares, "Avarice, envy, pride have set this world on fire." It's not your typical hit single subject matter, but Stretch Arm Strong have always been about addressing difficult issues and telling it like it is, no matter how unpleasant the subject matter. Overall, Engage is a good record, but these songs will hit hardest in a live setting. Stretch is always on the road with someone, so before you get down on their latest because it's not as complex as Revolution, see how these songs get the pit moving. - Todd Thatcher