Hold It Down
Madball · 2000
26 min · 14 tracks · hardcore punk
A relentless blend of fierce riffs and aggressive rhythms that encapsulates the raw energy of New York hardcore.
Top tracks — play these first
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Can't Stop, Won't Stop — This high-energy opener sets the tone for the album with its relentless pace and defiant message, embodying the spirit of perseverance central to hardcore culture.
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Hold It Down — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of resilience and loyalty, showcasing both lyrical depth and powerful instrumentation that resonates with longtime fans.
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Show No Fear — This track stands out with its anthemic chorus and driving beat, serving as a rallying cry for listeners to confront challenges head-on, exemplifying Madball's motivational ethos.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album delivers solid hardcore punk energy but lacks standout compositions and cohesion.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief instrumental intro, leading directly into the high-energy track 'Can't Stop, Won't Stop', which sets a fast pace.
- Most tracks maintain a consistent tempo and aggressive vocal delivery, with only slight variations in dynamics across the record.
- Several songs feature breakdowns that emphasize rhythm over melody, creating moments of intensity that are typical in hardcore punk.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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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5/10
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
- short bursts of raw energy
- intense anthems for motivation
- for energetic workouts
- front-loaded adrenaline rush
- aggressive sound for stress relief
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, reflective pieces
- seek mellow background sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2000, Hold It Down is Madball's fifth studio album, following their critically acclaimed record, Look My Way. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their status as a cornerstone of the hardcore punk scene, building on their legacy while exploring deeper lyrical themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- H2O· Sick of It All· Earth Crisis
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Intro 0:49
- 2 Can't Stop, Won't Stop 1:00
- 3 Hold It Down 2:18
- 4 Fall This Time 2:27
- 5 Everyday Hate 1:15
- 6 Done... 1:37
- 7 Say What? 1:50
- 8 D.I.F.M.M. 0:39
- 9 Show No Fear 2:34
- 10 Never Look Back 1:46
- 11 Still Searching 2:13
- 12 Confessions 1:44
- 13 Thinking To Myself 3:38
- 14 Semper Fi 2:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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