Atanaria
Stick To Your Guns have long been heralded as stalwarts of the hardcore genre, blending thought-provoking lyrics with the kind of sonic aggression that stirs both the mind and the mosh pit. With their eighth studio album, “Keep Planting Flowers,” they reaffirm their place at the forefront of modern hardcore, offering a raw, cathartic exploration of resilience and social justice.
A Cathartic Journey through Life’s Challenges
Produced by the adept Beau Burchell, “Keep Planting Flowers” is a seamless continuation of the band’s ethos. This record captures Stick To Your Guns at their most stripped-down and potent, as guitarist Josh James reflects on how the band has distilled their music to its purest form of expression. This unfiltered approach allows the album to serve as an outlet for the band’s collective frustrations and joys, turning personal and societal struggles into a source of strength.
The opening track, “We All Die Anyway,” exemplifies this philosophy with its haunting introduction of a shovel breaking ground—a metaphor for confronting and nurturing life’s adversities. Jesse Barnett’s vocals propel this call to action, urging listeners to find courage in the face of life’s inevitable end, setting a powerful tone for the album’s journey.
Standout Tracks and Musical Evolution
Tracks like “Severed Forever” and “More Than A Witness” display the band’s mastery of intensity and introspection. “Severed Forever” is especially notable, its relentless pace and existential lyrics resonating deeply. With its punk-infused energy, it addresses themes of time, loss, and awakening, punctuated by some of the most compelling riffs Stick To Your Guns have ever produced. In contrast, “Permanent Dark” offers a brooding meditation on a world shrouded in fear, illustrating the band’s capacity for both ferocity and vulnerability.
Collaborative Energy and Hardcore Solidarity
The album’s collaborative spirit is palpable, particularly on tracks like “Who Needs Who,” featuring Scott Vogel of Terror, and “H84U,” with Connie Sgarbossa of SeeYouSpaceCowboy. These partnerships underscore the band’s deep roots in the hardcore community, bringing additional layers of intensity and authenticity to the record. The visceral back-and-forth between Barnett and Vogel on “Who Needs Who” epitomizes hardcore’s confrontational yet unifying ethos.
Thematic Resonance and Natural Metaphors
A recurring theme in “Keep Planting Flowers” is the integration of natural elements, which threads the album’s tracks together. From the sounds of rain and wind to the crashing of the sea, these details symbolize the nurturing of growth amid struggle. This metaphor is poignantly captured in the album’s title track, which balances intricate guitar work with anthemic choruses, reinforcing the message of perseverance and hope.
A Rallying Cry for Resilience
Emerging from Orange County, CA in 2003, Stick To Your Guns have consistently raised the bar with each release, garnering critical acclaim and a dedicated following. Albums like Diamond (2012), Disobedient (2015), and Spectre (2022) have cemented their status as a powerful force in hardcore, with “Keep Planting Flowers” continuing this legacy. Their ability to transcend boundaries is exemplified by their historic performance in Nairobi, Kenya, becoming the first American hardcore band to play in East Africa.
“Keep Planting Flowers” is not just an album; it’s a rallying cry, a balm for the weary, and a testament to the power of resilience. Stick To Your Guns channel their unrelenting energy into anthems that inspire both personal and collective growth. In a world fraught with challenges, this album is a reminder that beauty and strength can emerge even from the darkest struggles, urging us all to keep planting flowers in the face of adversity.
Upcoming Tour Dates
Stick To Your Guns will be supporting “Keep Planting Flowers” with a series of European tour dates:
- 13.01.25 – Germany, Hamburg, Docks
- 14.01.25 – Germany, Hannover, Capitol
- 15.01.25 – Germany, Nürnberg, Löwensaal
- 16.01.25 – Germany, Karlsruhe, Substage
- 17.01.25 – Germany, Köln, Carlswerk Victoria
- 18.01.25 – Germany, Münster, Skaters Palace
- 19.01.25 – Netherlands, Utrecht, Tivoli Vredenburg
- 21.01.25 – Switzerland, Geneva, PTR L’Usine
- 22.01.25 – Italy, Bologna, Locomotiv Club
- 23.01.25 – Germany, Wiesbaden, Schlachthof
- 24.01.25 – Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Atelier
- 25.01.25 – France, Paris, Trabendo
- 26.01.25 – Belgium, Brussels, AB
- 28.01.25 – France, Lyon, La Rayonne
- 29.01.25 – Spain, Barcelona, Razzmatazz 2
- 30.01.25 – Spain, Madrid, Mon Live
- 31.01.25 – Portugal, Lisboa, LAV
- 01.02.25 – Spain, Pamplona, Totem
- 02.02.25 – France, Toulouse, La Cabane
- 04.02.25 – Switzerland, Solothurn, Kofmehl
- 05.02.25 – Germany, München, Backstage Werk
- 06.02.25 – Hungary, Budapest, Dürer Kert
- 07.02.25 – Austria, Wien, Arena
- 08.02.25 – Germany, Dresden, Reithalle
- 09.02.25 – Germany, Berlin, Huxleys
