Back Breaker
{{For|the Cloak & Dagger episode|Back Breaker (Cloak & Dagger)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Back Breaker
| type = studio
| artist = the Showdown
| cover = Backbreaker.jpg
| alt =
| released = August 19, 2008
| recorded = 2007–2008
| studio = Anthem Productions, Nashville, Tennessee
| genre = Christian metal, thrash metal, hardcore punk
| length = 44:09
| label = Solid State
| producer = Jeremiah Scott
| prev_title = Temptation Come My Way
| prev_year = 2007
| next_title = Blood in the Gears
| next_year = 2010
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AbsolutePunk.net
| rev2 = AllMusic
| rev2score = {{rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web |publisher=AllMusic |last=Prato |first=Greg |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/back-breaker-mw0000792921 |title=Back Breaker - The Showdown |access-date=December 9, 2024}}
| rev3 = Indie Vision Music
| rev4 = Jesus Freak Hideout
| rev4Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/BackBreaker.asp|title=The Showdown, "Back Breaker" Review|website=www.jesusfreakhideout.com|accessdate=August 9, 2021}}
}}
Back Breaker is the third album from American Christian metal band the Showdown. It is their first album with Solid State Records.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bandsonfire.com/spip.php?article1787 |title=The Showdown - BANDSONFIRE {{!}} Christ-centered Hardcore/Metal/Emo/Punk/Alternative & more |access-date=2008-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917062432/http://www.bandsonfire.com/spip.php?article1787 |archive-date=2008-09-17 |url-status=usurped }} On June 27, 2008, The Showdown released the track listing.{{Cite web |url=http://www.waytooloud.com/2008/06/27/the-showdown-post-track-list-for-new-album/ |title=Back Breaker track listing |access-date=2008-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924043122/http://www.waytooloud.com/2008/06/27/the-showdown-post-track-list-for-new-album/ |archive-date=2008-09-24 |url-status=dead }} On August 19, 2008, the album was released in stores. It is the last album to feature guitarist Travis Bailey, bassist Eric Koruschak, and drummer AJ Barrette.
Style
The style of Back Breaker has proved to be somewhat a mix of their first two albums. They have returned to the heavier sound of A Chorus of Obliteration, while still keeping some of the southern elements of Temptation Come My Way. Lead vocalist Dave Bunton uses harsh screaming, growling, and yelling often, but also mixes in some singing. The band characterized Temptation Come My Way as being their "Black Album.",{{cite web|url=http://musicremedy.com/t/the-showdown/album/temptation-come-my-way-3573.html |accessdate=2011-02-08 |title=The Showdown to release Temptation Come My Way |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401143606/http://musicremedy.com/t/the-showdown/album/temptation-come-my-way-3573.html |archivedate=2012-04-01 }} while this album has moved towards their Pantera influences. Each of the album's song titles are based on Greek mythology storylines.{{cite news | title=Music Review: Back Breaker, The Showdown | url=http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/6530 | work=Cleveland Leader | accessdate=2008-09-05 | date=25 August 2008 | first=Francis | last=Petruziello | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080924053332/http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/6530| archivedate= 24 September 2008 | url-status= live}}
The album cover was designed by Ryan Clark and features Mark Dugdale as its model.{{cite web | url=http://headbangersblog.mtv.com/2008/07/17/invisible-creature-exclusive-demon-hunters-ryan-clark-calls-on-power-of-zeus-for-the-showdowns-cover-art/ | access-date=2008-09-05 | title=Invisible Creature Exclusive: Demon Hunter's Ryan Clark Calls on Power of Zeus for The Showdown's Cover Art | date=17 July 2008 | publisher=MTV | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080915082455/http://headbangersblog.mtv.com/2008/07/17/invisible-creature-exclusive-demon-hunters-ryan-clark-calls-on-power-of-zeus-for-the-showdowns-cover-art/| archive-date= 15 September 2008 | url-status= dead}}
Track listing
{{track listing
| all_writing = the Showdown
| total_length = 45:47
| title1 = Titanomachy - The Beginning
| length1 = 2:42
| title2 = Hephaestus - The Hammer of the Gods
| length2 = 4:18
| title3 = Aphrodite - The Disillusionaire
| length3 = 4:14
| title4 = Achilles - The Backbreaker
| length4 = 3:59
| title5 = Prometheus - The Fires of Deliverance
| length5 = 3:57
| title6 = Cerberus - The Hellhound Awaits
| length6 = 4:27
| title7 = Odysseus - A Song of Hope
| length7 = 3:57
| title8 = Aries - I Am Vengeance
| length8 = 3:25
| title9 = Infernus - You Will Move
| length9 = 4:00
| title10 = Nemesis - Give Us This Day
| length10 = 3:53
| title11 = Medea - One Foot In Hell
| length11 = 5:12
}}
Credits
- David Bunton – vocals
- Josh Childers – guitar
- A. J. Barrette – drums
- Eric Koruschak – bass
- Travis Bailey – guitar
Production
- Jeremiah Scott – producer
- Ryan Clark – artwork
- Mark Dugdale – model for artwork
- Jon Dunn – A&R
- Troy Glessner – mastering
- J.R. McNeely – mixing
- Jerad Knudson – photography
- Chris Byrnes – assistant
- Justin Burns – editing