Integrity - VVe Are The End
The mighty Integrity comes back. As a follow up to their long in the making LP they release this short beast. These two songs are short and no less dark than anything on "The Blackest Curse". showing a dramatic style with strong guitar work the band have truly returned. For all the drama shown on the full length there is a sense of the band including a focus on the japanese punk that Dwid seems to love while not missing out on an opportunity to let loose some hefty solos. This is a must buy if nothing else for the artwork. While keeping in tune with the somewhat collage art style of their more recent 7 inches and splits the record itself is where the shine comes. The two songs reside on the first side while an etching of the infamous Integ skull resides on the b side.
All Pigs Must Die - Self Titled
This was a surprise of sorts. Stealing their name from one of the better known Death In June albums they sound nothing like what DIJ would. This brutal 5 song LP moves with an unrelenting strength, Kevin Barnes of The Hope Conspiracy screams as though he is in need of an exorcism. The music is heavier than his other band as they play with a metallic style while still remaining a hardcore band. The guitars stay heavy and slightly sludgy while indulging themselves with solos at each opportunity. Nothing is done for the sake of it everything feels in its right place for maximum impact.
Autopsy - The Tomb Within
This is what would be referred to as a nearly perfect comeback. The band had lies dormant for years. even letting the great death metal comebacks of years past go by without a shudder. Instead they waited until they were ready and came back stronger than anyone could have expected. Each song moves at top speed never slowing down long enough to catch your breath. Everything about this is classically brutal. The artwork is something that would disgust your parents and the song titles sound like vintage death metal. This is the perfect teaser to an upcoming LP.
The Love Below - Reproductive Rights
The Love Below crank out their first 7 inch with an effiency one would expect from an older band. The band rip through 5 songs at a fast clip with no regard for anything else involved. The songs themselves are filthy, taking parts of hardcore, metal, crust and just about anything else they wanted to throw in. Nothing lasts too long or overstays its welcome. All of this is capped off by some of the more offensive artwork in hardcore. Skulls naked girls and other generally unpleasant stuff all combines to make this a tough package to compete with.
Ancient VVisdom / Charles Manson - Split
Say what you will about Charles Manson's past endeavors in the United States legal system. This has nothing to do with that. What it does do is help to show off the folksy creepiness that Manson has been toying with for decades now. his side is comprised of new songs that linger with an emotional heft without being explicit about anything lyrically. On the other side we have Ancient VVisdom which is a new project from one of Integrity's current guitarists. Much like Manson's side it plays with a darkened almost unnerving version of folk. these are the first two songs from the Ancient VVisdom project and for what its worth a full length with this caliber of songs will be great.
(Jon E)
1. Have A Nice Life- Time Of Land
Still loving this even with it being an early entry from the beginning part of the year, Time Of Land is an excellent follow-up to a great debut album and completely addicting listening. How Have A Nice Life are not ruling the world yet is beyond me, but if this is any indication of where their next full length is going, people are going to be putting that on the year end lists as well. Oh, yeah, this is completely free (since the cassette version is looooooooong gone); though, someone should put this out on vinyl.
2. Integrity- VVe Are The End
On top of The Blackest Curse, Integrity released a metric ton of music this year (combine the weight of all the vinyl and it is close), and VVe Are The End is at the top of the mountain. It is a one sided 7” (with the legendary Integrity skull icon laser etched into the b-side) with what are arguably two of the best Integrity songs in quite a while (an album of the new Integrity lineup, which is vastly different from what recorded The Blackest Curse will be awesome). This record got so many spins on my record player that I had to replace my record needle and buy several copies of the record because I wore it out (OK, not entirely true but I have to justify all the versions of this that I acquired this year somehow). Find this.
3. WRNLRD- Death Drive
Death Drive is awesome; hands down this is my favorite record from this enigmatic outfit that I have heard to date and “Moonlight Ride” is a song that I play over and over again. Hell, I listen to the opening of the song at least once a day (yes, I am completely serious). Vicious and caustic sounding like something coming at you right from the gutter, this record will sit in my regular rotation for a while to come.
4. Trap Them- Filth Rations
Easily my favorite release from Trap Them yet, and though I still cannot say why, it tops everything else they have released to date as far as my listening is concerned. Everything about this record is awesome, from the etching on the back to the Bartlett artwork. Maybe in a few years it will be considered a classic release.
5. Gods & Queens- Untitled II
Their first album was quite a shock, but this second release makes for one hell of an EP by further refining their exercise in controlled chaos. Another one sided record (interestingly there are three in my top 5 and by complete coincidence), that will have anyone putting the needle right back to the beginning on the one side of gorgeous noise that will lull you into submission. This is an import to the US but well worth tracking down as I highly recommend it.
Honorable Mentions
- The Love Below- Reproductive Rights
- Hayaino Daisuki- The Invisible Gate Mind Of The Infernal Fire Hell, Or Do You Mean Hawaii Daisuki?
- Pale Creation- S/T
(Bob)
