Album Review

Although Seattle will probably forever be musically identified with grunge, back in the early '80s, the area had its fair share of hardcore bands. Hardcore may have taken a back seat to grunge come the early to mid-'90s, but by the close of the decade, the chaps in Champion decided to resuscitate hardcore once more in the region. Over the course of four albums from 2000 through 2004, the group built a sizeable following -- especially locally -- and when they decided to call it day in early 2006, it was only fitting to end it all in their hometown, as a final sold-out show was recorded and filmed at the El Corazon venue. A little more than a year later, a double-disc CD/DVD appeared, Different Directions: The Last Show, which documented Champion's live swan song. As the group was a tried and true straight-edge hardcore band, the music and performances are exactly what you'd expect -- high energy and faster than a speeding bullet, especially such ragers as "Different Directions" and "The Truth." Elsewhere, shouter Jim Hesketh can't resist getting on his soapbox during the intro to "Decline," and warning the audience of the dangers of alcoholism, especially within the hardcore community. A faithful and true live document, and Champion wouldn't have it any other way. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi