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Battlefields

Thresholds of Imbalance
Translation Loss (2009)

There are bands and musicians that, when heard, give off the sense that their physical environment informs, influences, and shapes their music. Battlefields is surely one of those bands whose base of operations plays a part in just what their music sounds like. And coming from Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota, an image of stark and harsh winters and a … Read more

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Foundation

Hang Your Head
Six Feet Under (2009)

I grew up on '90s hardcore, so when I hear new band's drawing influence from that era I get excited. Atlanta's Foundation does just that and this new EP is a welcome addition to my collection of present day bands paying homage to the '90s. "Fireproof" sets the tone with heavy metallic hardcore on the '90s tip - think Unbroken … Read more

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TV Crimes

Demo
Independent (2009)

I take pride in my local hardcore scene. I try to make it out to as many shows as I can, support friends in bands in any way possible, and occasionally book a show or two. So I'm continuing to do my part by telling you about TV Crimes, my favorite local band right now. TV Crimes fuse together early … Read more

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Like Wolves

Paths
Independent (2009)

Paths is the second 7" release from Rochester's Like Wolves. I really enjoyed their demo 7", but this is even better, showing immense promise for future recordings. Just as with the songs on their demo, "Live Wires" boasts some stellar guitar work, bringing to mind the hardcore meets rock approach of The Suicide File. Meanwhile "Saturate" and "Dying to Survive" … Read more

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Troublemaker

Sons of No One
Neutral Territory (2009)

New Jersey's Troublemaker (not to be confused with the Westcoast one) bring forth seven new songs on their Sons of No One 7". The band offer up a raw hardcore punk approach that brings to mind Trash Talk and early Outbreak. Tracks like "Worse for Wear" and "Drone" are short and frenzied while "Enabler" and "Beating a Dead Workhorse" are … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Damages

Scars
Clue #2 (2009)

About this time last year I received a 7" from a band named All Through a Life. That 7" contained a welcome surprise of D.C. inspired hardcore. Well apparently they are no longer a band, but a couple of the members have reconvened in Damages. Scars essentially picks up where the members left off with their previous band. Damages still … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Stressed Out / Rip it Up

Split
Independent (2009)

Self-released split 7"s are a rarity these days. This one features two bands from the state of New Jersey with both bands offering their take on straight edge hardcore. Stressed Out play fairly straightforward aggressive hardcore punk. It's got a definite vintage approach; though they do work in some thrash metal flair with solos. I think the band's strongest aspect … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Fake Problems / Ninja Gun

Split
Sabot Productions (2009)

This split 7" from Sabot teams up two punk sensations for one exclusive track each. Fake Problems offer up "The Manliest Man of All Men," which is very much in tune with their preceding full-length, It's Great to be Alive. The band builds on their quirky punk sound with a hint of bluesy rock and roll and indie rock flavoring; … Read more

200 Words Or Less

End of All

Places
Halo of Flies (2009)

Sweden is a country known for its thrash and death metal bands. End of All's name had me thinking of End This Day. And since they are from Sweden I figured they'd be a Euro-thrash influenced metalcore band. But they are not, thankfully. "Into the Abyss" opens with a slow churning building riffing before it launches into a ferocious metal … Read more

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Monument to Thieves

Anyone but You
No Sleep (2009)

Monument to Thieves is the title of the second full-length from His Hero is Gone. After listening to this 7" I found faint influence from the d-beat legends on these two songs. But as hard as the members of Monument to Thieves try, they are unable to completely distance themselves from their metalcore pasts in Eighteen Vision, As Hope Dies, … Read more

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Sakes Alive!!

Act II
Cavity (2009)

Act II is the second in a series of three 7" to come from Sakes Alive!! and this one picks up where the hardcore group last left off. "The Open Maw" builds on the band's hardcore punk sound with a slight rock and roll influence. It's a fitting addition for the group that gives the song some added flavor. "Big … Read more

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Northern Towns

Good as Gold
Swagger City (2009)

Northern Towns is a new San Diego outfit that features former members of Over My Dead Body and Please Mr. Gravedigger. Before you get excited about the band drawing from their past, I should tell you that this band sounds nothing like those bands at all. Good as Gold leads off with "Latchford," a song with a Clash-esque rhythm and … Read more

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Ancient Sky

Ancient Sky
The Perpetual Motion Machine (2009)

Ancient Sky is a fairly new group of individuals with impressive musical resumes with members having performed in City of Caterpillar, Darkest Hour, and Majority Rule, among others. This is their seven-song, self-titled debut. Musically, Ancient Sky shows little influence from the members other projects. In fact, my listing them may have done you a disservice because you might be … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The Taxpayers

A Rhythm in the Cages
Useless State/Quote Unquote (2009)

The Taxpayers are a three-piece punk outfit from Portland, OR. A Rhythm in the Cages is their second full-length, with twelve songs that run the gamut of punk styles. Opener "Never Getting Warm" brings to mind the recent influx of groups like Against Me! and Defiance, Ohio. Meanwhile "White Walls" is a ruckus-raising punk cut akin to early Anti-Flag. Then … Read more

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