Feature / Music
Scene Point Blank's Favorites: The Year So Far (July 2008)

Posted pre-2010

  1. Young Widows - Old Wounds (Temporary Residence)

  2. Settle Down City was my personal number one record in 2006. I am not saying that this is long overdue, but come on already. What I have heard of the new songs live is pretty exciting. Regardless, I am anxiously waiting the September release of this album.

  3. Helms Alee - Night Terrors (Hydra Head/ Robotic Empire)

  4. The self-titled EP from Ben Verellen (ex-Harkonen, These Arms Are Snakes, and Roy) and company was quite a pleasant surprise and really piqued my interest for this full-length due in August sometime. Check out the EP if you can find it to whet your appetite before hand.

  5. Cult of Luna - Eternal Kingdom (Earache)

  6. This album will be out by the time that you read this. If you know who they are, you will want this. If you are still as yet unfamiliar with this Swedish outfit that plows sonically similar territory to Isis and Neurosis and a myriad others but do it better than 95% of the pack, do yourself the favor and grab this.

  7. Supermachiner - Rust (Deathwish Inc)

  8. Some people might remember this group's only previous effort, The Rise of the Great Machine from some time ago. Supermachiner is Jake Bannon and some friends (including fellow Converge member Kurt Ballou) belting out some brooding noise that is at times relaxing and at others downright disturbing. Rust is a collection of all of the unreleased material that this outfit recorded in their lifetime.

  9. Gray Machine - TBA (Hydra Head)

  10. What happens when Aaron Turner of Isis (and numerous other outfits), Justin Broadrick of Jesu (and numerous other outfits), and other members of Broadrick's accomplices get together? Gray Machine is supposed to be releasing their debut album sometime later this year. I cannot wait.

  11. Integrity - The Blackest Curse (Deathwish Inc)

  12. What Integrity will we get on this latest album? Dwid's infamous nature will at least guarantee some intrigue. All reports point to this being the more vicious Integrity style as opposed to the spotty brooding of some albums. What little snippets I have heard are definitely exciting.

  13. Envy/ Jesu - Split (Hydra Head/ Daymare)

  14. A surprise release of sorts with Envy's split with Thursday getting much more press than this split, which is definitely the more intriguing release. Somehow this is Jesu's first release this year as this will be out in Japan in July. The U.S. release is supposed to be vinyl-only and on the way in August.

  15. Caithlin de Marrais - My Magic City (End Up Records)

  16. This will be the first solo album from the former vocalist and bassist of Rainer Maria. Teaser tracks put this as sounding much more mellow than what Rainer Maria was known for, but her voice is in top shape.

  17. Narrows - EP and LP (Deathwish Inc)

  18. Seriously, members of Botch, Unbroken, These Arms Are Snakes and other groups form this band. It is Dave Verellen (former vocalist of Botch) singing/ screaming his head off again. Aren't you interested enough yet? Without hearing this, Narrows set everyone chattering. The EP is coming first and then a full-length later this year. Both of them are definitely anticipated by many people.

  19. The Gaslight Anthem - The 59 Sound (Side One Dummy)

  20. Talk about Internet hype. The kids over at Punknews.org love this band apparently. I mean, I enjoyed Señor and the Queen and Sink or Swim, but can The 59 Sound live up to those? I guess we will find out when this drops in August.

  21. Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life (Matador)

  22. Another Internet hype band that garners quite a bit of critical praise, The Chemistry of Common Life will be Fucked Up's first album for Matador. Most people into punk rock know who these guys and gal are by now. In October when the album comes out you will either get it or have downloaded it when it leaks. Don't lie; I know you will.

  23. These Arms Are Snakes - TBA (Suicide Squeeze)

  24. Why does These Arms Are Snakes continue to skirt widespread notoriety? Following the exceptional Easter album, this as yet untitled record has much to live up to for some people. Due out in October, I will definitely be listening when this comes out.

(Bob)

— words by the SPB team

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