by Steven Douglas LoseyWith the latest craze of Christian hardcore bands hitting the scene, it's sometimes difficult to make the distinction between the pretenders and the contenders. Set It Off, the debut from Thousand Foot Krutch, is a release that vies for the heavyweight title. Whether it's a frontal rap assault or a sung vocal melody, the grooves on this disc pack a lot of punch. The band kicks out the raps like "Puppet" and "Set It Off" with all the angst needed for a bold statement that not only delivers, but also powerfully brings the noise. Tunes like "When in Doubt" check in with an O.C. Supertones vibe, while "Rhime Animal" and "All the Way Live" weave the musical funk of the Red Hot Chili Peppers with the choruses of Limp Bizkit. Krutch covers EMF's "Unbelievable" with all-out fervor, intertwining an inspired spiritual rap with the infectious Top 40 chorus. "Supafly" represents a mishmash of hip-hop and heaviness -- the verse comes off like Eminem while the chorus ventures into Rage Against the Machine territory. Two songs on the disc bust out of the ring from the hardcore stance and drift into alternative, Top 40 territory. The band unleashes two slower cuts in "Smalltown" and "Lift It." Both tunes are delivered flawlessly with vocals reminiscent of Buckcherry or Skid Row. Lyrically, the first cut connects with a small-town girl seeking and finding Christ in her life, while the second is all-out praise & worship presented with unbridled enthusiasm. "Lift It" is definitely a centerpiece for bassist Cheeah, as he lays down a simple bass groove that feeds the melody. Thousand Foot Krutch has released a disc that defines them as true leaders in the hardcore realm. Set It Off is a release that delivers the knockout punch in the first round.