DOWN-STARES // Cobras & Matadors T.Rex Ate My Face Records Purchase: SmartPunk.com, Napster, Itunes, Amazon.com

“ With a roar and the crunch of frantic guitars, DIY punk/metal/hardcore/experimental act Down-Stares kicks your ass. A true band on a mission with a van full of empty beer cans and invigorating ideas, this Texas quintet is one of the hardest working bands on the rock scene today . This is a concrete record from start to finish. “264 Roselawn” starts things off with hammering, adamant drums and Hendrix's vocals taking flight with deep growls, shouting, and affectionate melodic passages. The song describes a spiritual journey with metaphors and direct language clearly summing up how the vocalist feels. “Protect me father, I am only human!” Hendrix intones over swirling guitars. One of the most poignant songs on the record is “An Ambulance Named Emergency”. Passionate without being tacky, Hendrix weaves a simple tale of sadness over the music. Guitars gently pronounce the sorrow as the vocals drift in and out of perception. A solo emerges, adding a sense of exigency.

Cobras and Matadors is an engaging and convincing journey. Down-Stares enthralls with their use of various musical elements, fusing a sound together that is both familiar and entirely unique. They own the music, each instrument contributing with care and vibrant force.”
--Jordan Richardson // BlogCritics [dot] com.
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/11/18/191104.php
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An unflinching determination to do what they want sees Down-Stares entering their ninth year with Cobras & Matadors , their fifth full length, and it's rife with passion and gigantic hooks. The demographic most likely to get a funny feeling in their pants when hearing this are those who still live and die by the sound of late 90s bands, and in particular the first Lostprophets record or Make Yourself-era Incubus, the influence of these records is pretty undeniable. This is perhaps the most pronounced on “Para Mi Familia,” which sounds almost as if it could be a cutoff from the later album, and the epic vocals, heavily processed guitar and fleet fingered bass work that dominate Cobras & Matadors will have you coming back to this comparison often. Perhaps the best here are the dramatic “Ft. Something,” which conjures a powerful sense of scale with its densely layered textures and sweeping strings, and the gorgeously melodic “Tonight We Celebrate,” which combines stabbing guitars, plaintive vocals, and an overwhelming chorus to powerful effect.”

In terms of overall sound and melody, these boys are definitely the mainland's answer to 36 CF. Any number of songs on this album could easily fit right into a Crazyfists set... There's plenty of grooving metallic rhythms, solid musicianship, catchy choruses to sing along to, and more than enough melody to ensure that it appeals to both Metal and Hard Rock fans.

If you're a fan of 36 Crazyfists, or just a fan of bands that do exceptionally well in mixing metallic rhythms and styles with a more streamlined Rock influence, definitely pick this one up. 'Cobras And Matadors' is catchy as hell and you won't be disappointed in the least.”
--Anthony // Loudside [dot] com.
http://www.loudside.com/music/albums/id/2820/Down-Stares/Cobras_And_Matadors/

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“… If there's anyone I've ever seen deserve recognition, it's Down-Stares. All I ask is that you give Cobras and Matadors a chance. It won't be for everyone, but if any readers appreciate it, then I've done my job.

Cobras And Matadors is the fifth studio album from the band. With interesting artwork created by Sons Of Nero (In Flames, 36 Crazyfists), this album hits with a furious punch. Combining elements of nu metal, alternative, and even sprinkles of metalcore, it makes a definite impact.

It's become obvious that the amount of work you put into your music and getting it out there doesn't exactly have a positive correlation with how you're received. If this was the case, Down-Stares would definitely be one of the most talked about bands in the scene. I'm not lying when I say that their brand of alternative, nu metal, metalcore, or whatever you choose to call it has its own special flair…”
--Andrew Klatzke // Absolute Punk [dot] net.
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=638872

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“With brute force and melodic finesse, Down-stares have captured a sound that keeps finding its way into my player. Their wildly imaginative approach combines the wild abandon of thrash metal with a growling, snarling Simeon Hendrix on vocals with a completely compelling tuneful approach that will give you brief rest stops between brutal bashings!