If you're in the hardcore scene, you'll be familiar with the over-used breakdowns or new bands ripping off other bands. Sigh no more. Advent graces our ears with Grade-A hardcore. They also crush, beat, and destroy our ears, and they use their latest record, Naked and Cold to do it.

Advent provides it all: chants, for fans to scream their lungs off to, a crushing beat to stomp your feet and hardcore dance to, a groove to bop your heads or swing your fists to, and gritty, spirit-filled lyrics to worship to.

After the intro, Advent kicks off Naked and Cold with "Nothing," a fast, brutal, two-minute song. Advent has a relentless rhythm, delivering punch after punch. Song two, "Overcome," gets better with a dirty and pounding rhythm. Lead singer Joe Musten screams, "Spit in the face of the Savior. Save your breath," which will get every listener shouting along without fail. "Revival" is by far their most popular song; it's hardcore worship at its best. It's an easy song where fans can sing along through the entire song. The rest of the record is brutal. Advent are not your average tough guy hardcore band like Terror or Hatebreed.

Lyrically, the band writes from a very personal and realistic view toward their faith and lives. The song "Nothing" is about the times in our life when we struggle with believing that God exists. "Naked and Cold" writes about the materials and evils in the world that never satisfy our soul. The hit "Revival" is all about the Holy Spirit igniting our hearts with the fire and love of the Lord. You'll quickly notice that there is no compromise in their lyrics and message, just as their intense music lacks compromise.

If I wasn't clear on the sound of this record, that's because I can't describe it. Words like "dirty, thrash, intense, groove" fall short in explaining Advent's sound. Whatever intensity the failed at showing on their first release, Remove the Earth, Advent made up for with Naked and Cold. Hardcore fans will not be disappointed.

While I'm typically quick to be critical with new music, the only fault and disappointment with Advent was the band's departure late 2011. They will be missed and the hardcore scene will forever have an empty hole that cannot be filled. If you're a fan of hardcore music, do yourself a favor and buy Naked and Cold.

JFH Reader Review: written by Joe Quinlan, 2/11/12, for Jesusfreakhideout.com