A Second Chance At Retribution (2004)

Crave Magazine - by Erik Byer
"Here is one of the best bay area bands I have ever heard...This four-piece band magically pounds out sounds bought together by their diverse styles. The end result is a captivating experience in rock ‘n roll."
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Zero Magazine - by Colin Kuch
"Like Refused and slightly similar to Coheed & Cambria, Rivals combine the heavy with the heartfelt. This is the band’s third release and by far their best effort. The songs are incredibly ambitious, at times raging with aggression then alternating into true ballads... It’s an insane mix, but it’s still rad."
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Raginpit.com Review - by Dawni Brucker
"This CD starts kicking your ass right out of the gate... on a scale of 1-10 this gets a 8.5 Fuckin-A, this band rocks!" [Read Full Review]

Awakening (2002)

Crave Magazine - by Robin Steeley
"California's South Bay has produced yet another outstanding and unique hardcore band with Rivals."
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Culturedose.net - by Aly Walansky
"Rivals, a California-based indie group, possess some of the strongest hardcore/hard rock promise I’ve heard in some time... Even beyond the deeply emotionally charged lyrics and impassioned vocals is exceptionally fervent, powerful guitar work..."
[Read Full Review] *Review is halfway down page [View Offline Version]

Zerostar Online - by Jihad Rabah
"Before I give a detailed review of every track, let me start off by saying this album shows more talent, potential and creativity than over 90% of most of the bands that are rising into the mainstream rock category including our local scene..." [Read Full Review]

Powerslave - by Mario Perotti
"This new Rivals effort is, quite simply put, very good and shows a beacon of their immense talent both as musicians and as song creators with the wild patterns they utilize effectively..."
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DigitalAttak.com - by Corey
"Energetic and unrelenting, Rivals put forth their EP “Awakening”. Six tracks in length, “Awakening” finds itself a mix of metal and hardcore. Recording in just two days time at Grizzly Studios in Petaluma, CA; the group put forth a substantial effort with their latest release..." [Read Full Review] [View Offline Version]

East Cost Romper - by Stephanie Stevens
"Don't say San Francisco Bay area band RIVALS don't push all their emotion out in every song. Jesus, on this six song disc, their vocalist alone rages from intense agony to spoken word honesty and beyond." [Read Full Review] [View Offline Version]

Barricade Magazine - by Ryan Moore
"This album starts out with the strong song All I Ever Wanted Was the Truth. A song that is widely known in the Bay area considering its getting regular air play on the San Jose Radio Station KSJO."
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a demonstration. (2001)

Rivals at San Jose Skate - February 6th 2006
Overall amazing performance from everyone, Rivals left me speechless and wanting more! Next R.A.T.M???

Halloween Rivals Style - Rivals 2nd Annual Halloween Party & Rock Show
The 2003 version of the Rivals Halloween Party and Rock Show brought in a large crowd and has established this event as one of the bigger parties on the block for Halloween... In the end, it was Rivals that stole the show, but they had plenty of heavy support in making this the second strong showing in the Rivals Halloween experience. [Read Full Review] [View Offline Version]

Cole's Cure Benefit Show at the EDGE in Palo Alto (by Powerslave.com)
"Rivals were a definite highlight for this show, drawing some of the biggest crowd reaction and the wildest looks as Reed and company drove through their antics..." [Read Full Review]

"Rivals Ignite Gaslighter", Article in Gilroy Dispatch
“Crutch! Crutch! Crutch! Crutch!” The chant grew louder and louder from the crowd Saturday night at the Gilroy Gaslighter. Many of them donning T-shirts supporting their beloved Gilroy-based band, the Rivals, the fans wanted to hear the group’s traditional closing song. Read More...
Alternate Links: Printed Version Page 1 (jpg, 350k), Page 2 (Jpg, 150k) - PDF Version (140k)

Rivals CD Release Show Review by Powerslave.com
"...Almost three hundred people turned up, many in costume, to catch this night of activity happening on the Gaslighter stage...Over the past couple of years, these guys have really come into their own style and direction, breaking away from the scene limitations and setting out on their own...what came out of this show is the renewed awareness of the Gilroy based act who are quickly shooting to the top of just about every list in the region."
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More Reviews...

"Blowing Up - Rivals explode on the scene with sheer power", San Jose Metro Feature Story
"To see them onstage is to see that philosophy in action. The Rivals live are a spectacle, one of the biggest sounds to blast out of the valley." [Read Full Article] [Download PDF]

"Join The Cause", Interview with Rock4reason.com
Interview with rock4reason.com discussing The "A Second Chance At Retribution" EP, politics and a bit about the band. [Read Full Article]

"Rivals: Creation Without Limits", Interview in Zero Magazine
With the new EP just released, A Second Chance at Retribution, Rivals prove that the heavy can be combined with the heartfelt. This band can kick your ass, but they’ll be there to give you a Band-Aid afterward. Zero got the scoop from guitarist Zack Alves and drummer Jim Azevedo.
[Read Full Article] [Download PDF]

"Rivals Ignite Gaslighter", Article in Gilroy Dispatch
“Crutch! Crutch! Crutch! Crutch!” The chant grew louder and louder from the crowd Saturday night at the Gilroy Gaslighter. Many of them donning T-shirts supporting their beloved Gilroy-based band, the Rivals, the fans wanted to hear the group’s traditional closing song. Read More...
Alternate Links: Printed Version Page 1 (jpg, 350k), Page 2 (Jpg, 150k) - PDF Version (140k)

Rivals featured in Zero Magazine.
Local Music Spotlight December '02.
If above link to Zero doesn't work, click here.

20 Questions with Rivals by Sacto Music
(Voted #4 in the top 10 Sacto Music Interviews- January 2003)
SM: Who came up with the name of your band and why?
Jim: Zack, our guitarist came up with it. You know how front men are. They say, "Hey, what do you think about the name 'Rivals'?" We say, "It sucks!" He says," Great, our band is called Rivals." Seriously, the name really is a reflection of our diverse musical influences. Read More...

Article The Pinnacle Newspaper, Salinas, CA
The Rivals are using good old-fashioned legwork to revive the scene - Posting flyers around town advertising concerts, using Internet sites to get the word out, and booking gigs at the Gaslighter.
Read More...

I met you at your guys' CD release concert, I just thought I would let you know that that single concert opened my eyes regarding the way I view music. Seeing you guys going up there and playing with the emotion and soul you guys had really got me thinking about what I wished to pursue farther in life (after school). I am currently in a band, not a serious one though (although now it will be), and music has always been an influence in my life. Now, after having gone to your concert, I realized what I should be doing: playing music. "Awakening" is helping me get through this "melodramatic teenage life" and some other troubles as well. The reason for writing this is to just say a simple thank you. You're passion for playing music and expressing deeper thoughts through it has really inspired me. So, to you and Matt, Jim and Dave...........thank you.

-Rivals Fan For Life
Joey Leccese
californiapunkkid86@hotmail.com

I just wanted to tell you that I caught your set on KMBY this morning. I sat in my car for an hour longer than I should have so I wouldn't miss it. I really enjoyed your set. ... It got me thinking... you guys are, by far, the most professional local band I can think of, if we can consider you locals here in Salinas(different counties, and all...), while still managing to remain regular guys. You seem to have developed a good business sense while developing your skills as musicians, which is something we don't often see in local music. How do you do it? You're parents must have raised you right...

Roger L. Moore - rawjonly@yahoo.com

It's hard to imagine that I had a lot to say to our dear Matt after the show last night, because the set had rendered me virtually speechless. Music has been such an amazing influence on my life, and especially Rivals, who really make me smile with their intentions and message and how their music isn't showing off who can play guitar or who has the better equipment but rather they're the ones who paint the most beautiful picture with their music as a whole ... thank you so much, for everything.

Ryan - Icon@redshift.com

I really just fell the need to write. In the short time I have been exposed the Rivals and who they are I have learned so much. I have learned alot about myself while sitting in another world listing to the demo. Rivals has honestly given me the escape I sometimes need. I know when things cannot get any worse all I have to do is go get in my car and turn a demo up as loud as I can. Maybe it is because it is not hard to find a connection to the music, or the extreme emotion in every sound there is to be heard that makes rivals Rivals, or maybe it is because Rivals are awesome. ;) Thank you for the escape. And the emotions, honesty, and intensity that you pour in to your music. Rivals play from their heart and that is the one thing I feel many bands are missing now. Your heart and soul is seen and greatly felt each time I hear you guys. There is very few times at which I am left with out words, now is one of them. I honestly can not put into words the effect you have put on my life. But I can say Rivals are awesome and know that my words will never have to be taken back because Rivals are from the heart. Playing what they feel, not playing what they think people want. (Although it seems what you feel is what they want.)

Tiffany - fairytells@aol.com

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