Up In Arms

Up in Arms have been called "Milwaukee's answer to Hatebreed" and one listen to their brutal, punishing, and floor-stomping metallic hardcore can easily explain why. Their songs have passion, sincerity, and even a bit of depth and color; but most of all they possess uplifting, energizing, often menacingly brooding, and heavy-as-a-train-wreck riffing and shouting. Up in Arms formed in 1998, releasing a 7" EP through Undecided relatively soon afterwards. The single showcased a band in their formative stages — one that was desperate to leave their own mark on the brutal metalcore style. Screamer Jason Strout's growl sounded even better on the band's debut album, Fight to the Death, released by Uprising nearly two years later. He's a Mui Thai kickboxer whose voice is matched in intensity by guitarists Todd Evirs and Kevin Herwig, bassist Jesse Smith (not to be confused with Zao drummer Jesse Smith), and drummer Jared Logan, who performs double duty with 7 Angels 7 Plagues, having replaced Jon Kraft in Up in Arms. Racetraitor vocalist Mani Mostofi brought Up in Arms to Uprising's attention. He also guest stars on the album, adding thick backing vocals. Up in Arms supported the Fight to the Death record throughout 2000 and 2001, playing shows with bands like Zao, Trial, Eighteen Visions, and Botch among others. ~ Ryan J. Downey, Rovi