Built to Last
Sick of It All · 1997
39 min · 14 tracks · hardcore punk
Fiery, relentless hardcore punk infused with an unyielding spirit and politically charged lyrics that resonate with urgency.
Top tracks — play these first
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Good Lookin’ Out Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Built to Last — The title track encapsulates the album's message of perseverance, combining aggressive instrumentation with anthemic choruses that invite collective defiance.
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Us vs. Them — This track stands out for its incisive critique of societal divisions, blending catchy melodies with a confrontational edge that sparks listener engagement.
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End the Era — A compelling closing track that reflects on change and continuity within the hardcore scene, it merges powerful lyrics with dynamic shifts in musical intensity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Built to Last delivers energetic hardcore punk with strong lyrical themes and solid production, appealing to genre fans.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a high-energy tone, maintaining aggressive tempos throughout most of its duration.
- Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, emphasizing the communal aspect of the lyrics and engaging listeners directly.
- The final three tracks slow down slightly in tempo, allowing for a moment of reflection before concluding with a powerful finish.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- quick impactful listening sessions
- energetic bursts of intensity
- reflective moments amidst chaos
- dynamic emotional contrasts
- short tracks for easy replay
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Sick of It All's influence in hardcore punk, gaining wider recognition.
- Themes
- New York hardcore resilience· societal division critique· punk rock perseverance
- Career context
- Released on February 11, 1997, Built to Last marked Sick of It All's fifth studio album and a pivotal moment in their career. Following their acclaimed 1994 album, Scratch the Surface, this record solidified their position in the hardcore scene while showcasing a matured sound and political commentary.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Madball· H2O· Earth Crisis
Tracklist
- 1 Good Lookin’ Out Start here 1:53
- 2 Built to Last 2:01
- 3 Closer 2:56
- 4 One Step Ahead 2:07
- 5 Us vs. Them 3:04
- 6 Laughingstock 2:42
- 7 Don’t Follow 2:02
- 8 Nice 2:41
- 9 Busted 1:37
- 10 Burn ’em Down 2:55
- 11 End the Era 3:05
- 12 Chip Away 2:02
- 13 Too Late 2:00
- 14 Jungle / Culo Con Cado 8:10
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Destroy the Machines
Earth Crisis
Shares an urgent political message and heavy, relentless sound that defines hardcore punk.
Go
H2O
Combines melodic elements with hardcore intensity, echoing themes of resilience and community.
Set It Off
Madball
Captures the same New York hardcore spirit with aggressive riffs and socially charged lyrics.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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