Band:	Hardcore Superstar
Album:	Beg For It
Style:	Glam metal, Glam rock
Release date:	June 02, 2009
A review by:	Doc G.

01. This Worm's For Ennio
02. Beg For It
03. Into Debauchery
04. Shades Of Grey
05. Nervous Breakdown
06. Hope For A Normal Life
07. Bad Behaviour
08. Remove My Brain
09. Spit It Out
10. Illegal Fun
11. Take Them All Out
12. Innocent Boy
13. Welcome To Your Own Death [USA bonus]
14. When I Glow [USA bonus]

Isn't it just downright nerve-racking when one of your favourite bands has to replace a core member? Especially after releasing an album as solid as Dreamin' In A Casket. Enter Vic Zino; former Crazy Lixx guitarist. Anyone who has heard Crazy Lixx would agree such a guitarist seems like a perfect fit for the band. I, on the other hand, was a little bit sceptical about this mix. Crazy Lixx play the similar glam rock style as Hardcore Superstar, but lack the aggressive riffing and metal edge that can be found on their previous two releases. Well, we can all breathe a sigh of relief with this one - Beg For It is just as (if not more) aggressive than anything they have done to date.

Unfortunately, despite keeping the level of intensity up with this release, one can't help but notice the slight stall the band has put itself into. I wouldn't exactly call this album a "setback" by any means; it's Hardcore Superstar, and it sounds like Hardcore Superstar. Where the problem lies is the lack of progression. With each album they put out they always make astronomical changes in their sound while still sticking to their guns to some degree. Before the self-titled album they stood closer to the pop-punk side of glam rock, then moved to something more arena-rock influenced in Hardcore Superstar, which brought us to Dreamin' In A Casket; the band stuck up the middle finger to derivation and came out with a ballsy, pissed-off attitude. Now we have Beg For It; a weakened attempt at recreating their previous album - the riff styles, the song structure, and the overall dark, pessimistic tone of the album sounds like it could be just a collection of songs that didn't make it onto Dreamin' In A Casket.

Judging by the previous statements, it probably sounds like this album is a complete write-off, which is just untrue. The catchy hooks & unforgettable chorus' performed in the 80's Sunset Strip style are still present in this album (albeit to a lesser degree), and the essence of what the band is about isn't lost at all, despite such a significant member change-up. I guess the best way to sum this album up is that it's just a fairly decent upkeep for the band - none of the outstanding leaps forward we've seen from them in the past. Basically Beg For It is Hardcore Superstar's way of saying "We're still alive and kicking". If you are just starting to get into the band, I would highly recommend listening to Dreamin' In A Casket or their self-titled for a glimpse at the band's true capabilities first. This is one for the already existent fan base as far as I'm concerned.