Dig out the steel-toed Docs, snap the suspenders, shave your head, and scream "Oi!" Agnostic Front are back. Before we proceed, rid your mind of any negative preconceptions you may have of skinheads. As the band reminds us in their liner notes, "Not all skins are racists!" Agnostic Front have battled against wrongful accusations before; their reunion after five years of dormancy provides healthy ground for a new and unhampered beginning.

Agnostic Front were certainly one of the true pioneers of New York City hardcore and remain one of the strongest outfits ever associated with the scene. They also paved the way for the metal crossover trend in hardcore, a factor some may hold against them given the current abundance of this blend. But forging their own path once again, the band has decided to revisit the punkier elements of their earliest recordings with Something's Gotta Give.

Surprisingly, this walk down memory lane results in a fresh and invigorating sound. The uncluttered production provided by vocalist Roger Miret and S.O.D. frontman Billy Milano successfully captures Agnostic Front's fierce intensity, and within the first 30 seconds of the album, it becomes clear that these guys intend to remain champions of their sport.

A five-year hiatus has done nothing to quench the burning fires within the Miret. "In the end we all get fucked," he rages behind a blistering beat in "No Fear." In "My War" he screams, "Reality will bring you to your knees," and on "Rage" he tells us, "Don't believe in fate/ I believe in bad luck." This might all sound a wee bit pessimistic, but "Voices" supplies the necessary explanation: "My strength comes from my pain." It's by channeling these blazing emotions so authentically that the band is able to pack more punch than the Jonestown Massacre.

Old fans will appreciate the rebirth of a favorite hero (though they may have justified suspicion concerning the remake of the classic, "Crucified"); new fans will appreciate the departure from current hardcore trends. With the strength of this album, the second phase of Agnostic Front's reign is likely to be smoother and more fulfilling for them. But one can't help wondering if such success will destroy the heart and soul that makes their music so darn convincing.

-Kevin Ruggeri