Review of "Step To The Plate" by IZ of WMTD Zine Step To The Plate is a four way split featuring Down My Throat (Finland), Denied (NYC, USA), Full Court Press (Belgium) and Strength For A Reason (PA, USA). Down My Throat are another Finnish promise, these guys play a mix between old- and new school hardcore. The songs are very aggressive and the vocals are quite extraordinairy. The sound should've been better though, the drums for example, are way to to weak. I'm curious for their mcd, which will be released on Full House Records. Next up are Denied, they play metalcore but somehow these four songs can't really convince me. Don't know why but it just doesn't impress me. Full Court Press from Belgium made a big step forward from their split with Crawlspace to these songs. Four excellent songs mixing metalcore with some hip hop flavours. Where the sound with the songs from the split kinda lacked strength these songs are recorded way better and sound aggressive and solid as they should. Especially "Better Days" and "Sunrise" are great songs. Last band is Strenght For A Reason and they're a great surprise to me. Brutal metalcore reminding me of Hatebreed and such bands. Excellent songs and great sound. I've got high expectations of these guys. Furthermore there are some bonus cuts on the disc but check that out for yourself cause you should check this sampler anyway. Features four good up-and coming bands so worth your money