Oh Boy! Hardcore for the thinking person! Endeavor's lyrics are both personal and political and cover a depth 99% of hardcore can't reach. They put a lot of words in a song, yet the vocals are an instrument on their own, so you can choose to bounce your head along to the music if you're not up to thinking. This CD has me excited about hardcore all over again! GET IT!

I have been hearing a lot about them recently and was rather happy when this was put in my review box. The first track "Kill Traitors" had me scrambling for the inlet card. I could have sworn I was hearing Chain of Strength's "True Til Death." Obviously, I wasn't. This album just fucking woke my ass up on a very late Sunday night. If you love, I mean LOVE real hardcore, then check these guys out. Screamed, throaty anthems are accompanied by relentless bass and drums and crunchy guitar work. Songs with titles like "Luke Perry Wears Sweatpants" are fronts for very serious, well written documents. Don't miss the boat, get this one now!

One wouldn't expect this to be a quasi-conceptual album, and these gut-bustingly funny song titles like "Luke Perry Wears Sweatpants," "Koko Puffs," "Skippy Loves Malory," and "Beard and Wifebeater" have nothing to do with the politically charged lyrical content. Endeavor injects super-serious hardcore attitudes with a much needed dose of humor. But all laughs aside, Endeavor is no joke, proven by its unrlelenting, vinegary riffs and glass-shattering screams, reminding one of a less-refined yet equally entertaining version of Despair.

Endeavor is one of the few bands that has a unique, original sound. Don't let the song titles like "Green Gumballs," "Koko Puffs," and "Luke Perry Wears Sweatpants" fool you into thinking this is a cheesy joke band. This is intense hardcore that lyrically speaks out against drugs, society, and various other topics. Intelligent lyrics with some of the most innovative music I've ever heard, makes this a must have record. If you liked "Crazier Than A Shithouse Rat," you'll love this.

It is no secret how I feel about the music these five New Jersey kids write and play. They have an intensity that is matched by a very select few. Combining that with their politically motivated lyrics makes this band a sure fire candidate for a winner in my books! This follow up to their label-juggling last full-length "Crazier than a Shithouse Rat" (Happy Days Records and Conversion Records), Endeavor seems to push it to the next level. This music is just as heavy as before, but seems to have had an added element of technicality. Even though it cheapens the seriousness and intesity of Endeavor's serious lyrical content here are a few lyrical samples: "Kill Traitors an ideology. A standard by which to breathe within the machine without a mind. Patriotism dfined as a passive reaction to the inexcusable," and "Third World come home. 'Workfare' can keep them here with a guarantee to profiteer. Free labor, no union rights, and a public subsidy to lock it all in place. And the layoffs make room for this slave labor. The laid off enter poverty. Real wages fall, but blame it on the poor, blame it on anyone but the corporations responsible. Yeah, don't bother to pack, the Third World is coming home." Hopefully this band will continue to stick around, for they are a dying breed. Highly Recommended.

The energy, intensity, and anger displayed on this record are like that of no other. To me this is what hardcore is all about. Music you can feed off of and lyrics you can learn from. Musicwise, Endeavor isn't breaking any new ground here except in the energy and intensity department. Go ahead, try and find one riff, just one, on this entire record that doesn't make you want to shake your booty, bang your head, and raise your fist. With as many lyrics as there are here you would never believe that these 14 songs clock in at less than 26 minutes. Politically motivated lyrics about the CIA and their drugs, the economy and classism, and following blindly. While the vocals maintain the energy the music conveys, halfway through the record they all start sounding the same. Nevertheless, a great record that will remain in rotation on my stereo for some time to come.

Another debut full length from a band that's been around for years. That's the good thing about hardcore - bands can test the waters with a few seven inches before subjecting themselves to trying to create a whole album. Jersey's endeavor play that current mix of hardcore and metal, never treading too far into metal to lose their solid roots in the hardcore scene. A good bit of creative guitar work keeps them from being too typical. Songs dealing with real life issues as well as touching on a few political statements such as such as government corruption and patriotism. I think the best song of the 14 is probably "Drug Song."

This New Jersey quintet is back again with their full on political and social hardcore attack. Growly, screamed vocals take complete control over this 14 song record. It seems that Endeavor has progressed since their past releases to a more angry and violent sound. Endeavor still seem to have their lyrical subject of importance, even though their bassist's other band is a bunch of homophobic thugs.

Having heard much about rhem, but never hearing them, this 14 song full length really impressed me. It is unusual for a band to have such a produced metal hardcore sound, and still be able to catch my attention. Matter of fact, these guys have almost a Victory Records feel to them, except that their lyrics have some redeeming political intelligence to them. Song titles such as "Luke Perry Wears Sweatpants" and "Skippy Loves Malory" surprised me as well, showing a humorous side to Endeavor. Vocals are chaotic enough though, to keep them seriously interesting.

This is a band that hits you in the head at a million miles an hour, and after that, you have to sit down and think about what the hell just happened. The songs included on Endeavor's second full length are no longer than 3 minutes each. Fast and to the point. The way hardcore should be played. Take the power and aggression of older hardcore, but don't think youth vrew, give it a brash, 90's feeling and mix it with some great breakdwons. Maybe then you'll have an idea of what this CD is like. Some metal grooves included, but not too many. The lyrics are political, but they aren't thrown at you like bricks. Endeavor is a band, that I'm sure, at times, leaves the karate kings of the dance floor stumped. Circle pits, kids having fun, sincerity, anger... Yes, it still exists.

Hailing from good old New Jersey, Endeavor play brutally intense hardcore. This is not a band for the weak at heart. Combining crushing riffs with flame-thrower vocals burning with rage, these songs are a violent attack on your senses. The incredibly clear, raw production quality of this CD suits the music perfectly. Every one of the individual tones can be heard combining to create a beautifully catastrophic effect. On a personal note, I have to respect a band that writes songs about serious social and political issues, and then, gives them names like "Luke Perry Wears Sweatpants" or "Beard and Wifebeater". Emdeavor is an intelligent band but they also have a sense of humor to keep things in perspective. Too many bands these days either take themselves far too seriously or else only write songs about toga parties. It's a nice relief to see someone with a good blend of ideas.

Constructive Semantics... destructive music. Endeavor lash out with a progressive agenda and an intensity that erupts with profound anger and viciousness. A strong balance of speed and heavy lurch. "Koko Puffs" attacks economic disparity and the stigmatization of the poor, "Drug Song" deals with the hypocrisy of the drug war while the CIA pushes drugs into the ghettos. "Sabbath" deals with media consolidation. Outraged cynicism and a pulverizing soundtrack.

This may be the best hardcore album of 1997. Musically, it is in true Endeavor fashion. Layered, chaotic riffs driven by a heavy churning rhythm section. The vocals are great as well and are more mature than on the "Kill Traitors" EP, and the lyrics are really well done. This basically tears a new asshole for any and everything to come out in 1997.

Wow, these guys are good. And I mean good with a capital G. Hardcore that really moves you and I mean moves you with a capital M. The music is not only powerful and well executed while the lyrics are not out of placenor are they simply lofty and without meaning; they burst with content and wity song titles (i.e. "Luke Perry Wears Sweatpants"). This is simply a great late 90's hardcore record.

(**Editor's Top Ten of 1997**) Although a bit too clean, this record is what hardcore should sound like in 1998.

I saw these guys like 3 years ago in some basement in Milwaukee, and honestly didn't remember what they sounded like. But this CD is rad. Musically it takes the aspects of hardcore that I like and throws them all into one; groove parts and emotion driven singalongs, while still being heavy throughout. If that was it, the band would be okay, but they also possess the main and important aspect needed in hardcore these days, and that's political subjects. Important issues that people can actually learn from, no that "fuck the man" or "burn the flag" type shit. Rather subjects dealing with CIA drug running and corporate slave labor shops. Great release.

The packaging claims this record was "five years in the making", while actually the band just redoes songs that are five years old like "Kill Traitors" and "Luke Perry And The Sweat Lodge". Aside from that, this album is short, refreshing, and blurry. Fourteen songs breeze by in twenty-five minutes, leaving the listener breathless and speechless. This album finds Endeavor going for more of a straight-forward style. Think Mouthpiece meets Harvest, with a screamy vocalist. Some songs, like "Incentive", are melodic and insightful, while others, like "Beard And Wifebeater" seem to let in a bit of youth crew influence to Endeavor's arsenal. As always, the packaging is nothing short of wonderful, but isn't that standard fare for hardcore nowadays? Look out kiddies, Trustkill will soon take over the world.

Endeavor started out strong, but a lot of times hardcore bands turn into complete drivel as they get more popular and start working with larger and larger labels. I was happy to discover that Endeavor hadn't "progressed" into some mediocre crap. "Constructive Semantics" is Endeavor at their best. The songs are hard driving with lots of tempo variety. They can push the petal to the metal and then drop back for some boogie-mosh action. Hardcore pure and simple. Solid and groovy. Much better than "Crazier Than A Shithouse Rat.".

Absolutely raging politicore returns with a vengeance and a big step up from last year's delightfully titled "Crazier Than A Shithouse Rat." On this new disc the New Jersey quintet are more cohesive and focused, which takes away a little of the raw chaoticore of the last disc (as well as replace funny samples with politically slanted ones), but adds a more anthemic quality, that is if setting the Capitol Building on fire is anthemic to you. You'll even find some straight up hardcore and a couple of personal-leaning songs, as well as a rerecording of "Luke Perry..." and finally, a recorded version of "Kill Traitors." Nothing short of a full on screaming, blisteringly fast rage fest worthy of inciting riots to.

Thank God for second chances! After putting out a boring, unoriginal album "Crazier Than A Shithouse Rat" last year, New Jersey's Endeavor come back with a very original and powerful album. I was, and am very impressed with this release. It's a lot more hardcore and angrier, and they still have those great political lyrics. Overall, a great new album from a band that needs to been seen live before being heard. They're awesome live!

It was about a six months ago that Endeavor released an LP which sucked donkey balls, but since that time they have changed record labels and adopted a new school hardcore/death style. They are what might happen if Turmoil and bloodlet were intertwined, which proves to be refreshing. For those who know of Overcome, Endeavor is in the same vein but more fast and minus the hardcore christian lyrics. The lyrics are ridden with untrust and anger while the rhythm section is as fast and driven as can possibly be. With bands such as Endeavor I am reminded that hardcore is still a scene with a sense of creativity.

Even with all the hype in the hardcore scene surrounding Endeavor, I wasn't expecting to actually like this record. I don't know for what reason, but I was completely expecting another mediocre mix of metal and hardcore But you know, sometimes I just love it when I'm wrong. Endeavor hit the stereo slicing throats with their take on snarled, speed based style of metallic hardcore. Chafed screams accompany heavily political lyrics, with catchy song titles that rival those of Anal Cunt (Skippy Loves Malory, Luke Perry Wears Sweatpants, Koko Puffs, etc. etc.) This is the evolution of political based, abrasive hardcore -- stunning.

1. Being that New Jersey has, and always will, have the best bands, I simply do not need to review this, but I will anyways. The best release from Endeavor thus far. Finally, a band plays fast! Get this now, and for you collector types, get the vinyl, you may be able to put your kids through college with it. The best release from a New Jersey band since Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet." 2. The best release of 1997. Period. Endeavor is so underrated, but after this record, hopefully not for long. Its faster, more aggressive, more straight forward hardcore than anything else they've done. The political songs are intelligent, the emotional songs are heart wrenching, the music is amazing. The production is great, Jesus, will you just send Josh Trustkill your money already? Mines on marble grey, limited pressing of 100.

New Jersey based Endeavor have slowly been making a name for themselves up and down the East Coast, selling nearly 12,000 copies of their releases so far, including last years full-length debut on Conversion, "Crazier Than A Shithouse Rat." The band is becoming particularly popular with the hardcore kids, who go wild for their psychotic live shows. With their second LP, "Constructive Semantics," the band ventures from its more straight-forward hardcore roots by pushing the sonic "chaos" schtick, almost mimicking the crazy crustcore sound of Logical Nonsense. Olender's maddeningly indecipherable vocals howl over brief, metallic hardcore guitar riffs, while Rummel's even drumming supplies the only steady, relatively sane structure on the entire album. Give a listen to "Kill Traitors," Ajar," and "Drug Song."

NJ chaoscore heroes return with an LP which is just an extreme extension of their previous efforts. They keep the chaos, power, and politics on really heavy, but they beef up the sound, tighten up the ship, and make the vocals more bruising and powerful. If you liked 'em then, you love them now.

I hate to use the cliche, but Endeavor have taken it to the next level with this record. The music is driving (the album has 14 songs in twenty-odd minutes), heavy, chaotic, and intense, and the lyrics make me want to pick up the Chomsky book that's been sitting on my shelf half-read for the last couple of months. Well, some of the lyrics do. On this album, more of the lyrics head into a more personal vein, and those that do (especially "Incentive," my favorite of the bunch) do it well. To top it all off, this is one of the best produced albums I've heard in a while. Nice job guys.