Review / 200 Words Or Less
Hammer Bros.
The Kids are Dead

Welfare (2008) Jason

Hammer Bros. – The Kids are Dead cover artwork
Hammer Bros. – The Kids are Dead — Welfare, 2008

I'm getting too many records that sound exactly like The Kids are Dead. It's another moshy metal crossover type hardcore album that is sweeping VFW dance floors all over the nation in '08. Sure, sometimes they play fast, sometimes Hammer Bros. goes for the menacing metal stomp. Either way, I've heard all too much of it this year. I'm sure their shows are fun sweaty testosterone mosh fest. It's just if I hear one more Soundgarden riff segued into a speed metal thrash fest, it's going to be way too soon. I know it sounds like I'm hating on The Kids are Dead when in actuality it's a decent release of hardcore I like, just not today.

5.9 / 10Jason • October 6, 2008

Hammer Bros. – The Kids are Dead cover artwork
Hammer Bros. – The Kids are Dead — Welfare, 2008

Recently-posted album reviews

Errth

Errth
Uncle Style Records (2025)

What makes a gruff vocal melodic punk band stand out? That's the question I'm asking myself as I listen to Errth's debut on repeat. I've been playing this record for probably a month straight and I dig it. It checks the heart-on-sleeve style I enjoy but I'm struggling to figure out why, exactly. I think on this, it's the tones … Read more

1186

Histeria
Drunken Sailor (2025)

If you read enough press releases, you start questioning if you even know what genre names mean. Post-punk has been one of the most abused terms of the past 2-3 years and it seems to mean wildly different things to different people. To me, it’s always meant an ear for angular guitars and noise atop more traditional song concepts. 1186 … Read more

Li Jianhong

Shuttle Raven of the Dream
Utech (2025)

Li Jianhong's philosophy surpasses the direct relationship of a musician with their instrument of choice. Instead, Li has advocated for Environment Improvisation, where the urge to create and improvise is established by the artist's surroundings. Looking at Li's website you can find numerous instances that inspired him to settle down and start improvising, drawing energy from the surroundings. The music … Read more