Urban aggression through sensitivity

By Mairim Martinez, Special to the On-Line Forty-Niner

Wednesday, November 25, 1998

Maximum Penalty's latest album, "Superlife," expresses urban-flavored aggression through a creative culmination of emotional lyrics and hard-core music.

The sensitive subject matter and strong vocals help display the band's inner soul and sensitivity. The spiritual and often divulging lyrics cater to a variety of listeners.

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CD REVIEW

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Musically the band combines heavy bass and guitar to create hard-core melodies that are focused and intense.

Vocally, the band's profound lyrics are theme oriented and engaging.

The emotional lyrics of "Too Little Too Late" deal with the pain of losing a father.

"Time to think about what we had. Too young to know I'd really miss you dad. Look down on me and tell me what you see. Wake me down, I feel you inside of me."

Maximum Penalty addresses the homeless problem in "East Side Story."

The song "Among Friends" documents the story of an HIV-positive man who has been abandoned by his friends.

On a lighter note, the track "Could You Love Me" is a simple love song with light lyrics.

"I need you to hold me tight. I dream about you almost every single night. Could you love me. Could you love me."

The band's 20-track album is an intelligent addition to today's

hard-core rock genre.

The album provides insight on provocative subjects that deal with the realities of life.