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Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

Lipona

Pigeonholed
Independent (2009)

In what's already been a solid year for punk releases, Lipona's new self-released EP, Pigeonholed might fall under the radar to most listeners but if you do come across it, I would strongly suggest giving it a listen. Pigeonholed is a short but sweet EP of some nicely executed punk rock with a bit of a hardcore edge. The lyrics are probably the most noticeable aspect when you listen to this record as they reflect on the band's views towards the current music industry, pop culture, and moral ethics. They definitely don't hold back with how they write and deliver these lyrics and it's a very redeeming quality on this EP. Lipona makes good use of all seventeen minutes of this EP by delivering solid melodies, strong lyrics, and fairly impressive musicianship on each track. Beginning immediately on the opening track, "Beginning the Dynamite Era" which starts with soft guitar build-up and develops into a punk anthem. The harmonization of the lines "Our whole lives wasted / We never traced it / Back to ourselves, back to the choices made" in the chorus and the gang vocals in the bridge really drive this song and make it an excellent starter … Read more

Eagle Twin

The Unkindness of Crows
Southern Lord (2009)

Gentry Densley is somewhat of a living legend in the metal world. Unfortunately I am not as familiar with his … Read more

Nadja / Black Boned Angel

Nadja / Black Boned Angel
20 Buck Spin (2009)

Having these two notable monikers teaming up for a second collaboration is just right up my alley, particularly because their … Read more

The Get Up Kids

Something to Write Home About (Reissue)
Vagrant (2009)

The release of The Get Up Kids' debut full-length Four Minute Mile is something that I recall with the greatest … Read more

Aidan Baker

Gathering Blue
Equation (2009)

The amount of work that Aidan Baker produces is absolutely staggering. Besides solo releases like Gathering Blue he releases records … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Fired Up

Doomed to Repeat
Youngblood (2009)

Doomed to Repeat is a posthumous release from Fired Up. Fired Up plays extremely fast youth crew inspired hardcore and … Read more

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One from the archives

The Great Old Ones

EOD: A Tale of Dark Legacy
Season of Mist (2017)

The influence of H.P. Lovecraft in popular culture is undeniable, and its presence in the metal genre is highlighted from classic Metallica tracks, to off-kilter acts like Blind Idiot God. The Great Old Ones, a French post-black metal outfit, proudly embrace this tradition, as their suggests, exploring the themes of cosmicism through the years, starting with their debut album, Al Azif, and carrying on with Tekeli-Li, both displaying at the same time a deep appreciation for the author's work, and a detailed understanding of extreme metal's landscape.The Lovecraftian journey continues with EOD: A Tale of Dark Legacy, a direct reference to the Esoteric Order of Dagon, a fictional cult based on a religion brought to the town of Innsmouth in 1838. These elements make an appearance in the individual tracks, … Read more

More album reviews

200 Words Or Less

Face Reality

Positive Change
Dead End (2009)

It's nice to see in 2009 that's there is still youth crew hardcore bands out there. Face Reality is from Michigan and play fast hardcore with plenty of fun breakdowns. The vocals remind me of Ray Cappo with a cold. Musically it's a cross between Ten Yard Fight and The First Step. The lyrics are positive and on the straight-end … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Jeff Caudill

Try to be Here
Fortunate Son (2009)

Rising from the remains of the pop-punkers Gameface, Jeff Caudill heads out on the road by himself on this trip. Well, not exactly. He does the consistency of the producing and also being the drummer for this project. Also involved is none other than Robbie Rist (yes-"Oliver" from The Brady Bunch!) Check out YouTube for a funny clip of Robbie … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Medusa

En Raga Sul
Hawthorne Street (2009)

If the band name and scary artwork didn't tip me off that this was going to be a brutal audio assault, I guess the Hitler sample at the start of the release should have been a clue. Punishing riffs, caterwauling vocals, and plodding drum beats typify the songs on this record. If that sounds like something you need to have, … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Young Fresh Fellows

I Think This is
Yep Roc (2009)

I love the PR insert that is included with this one. "First new album in 66 years! Produced by Robyn Hitchcock! No 'special guests' (except Robyn and Peter Buck) Includes 3 DIFFERENT-SIZED helmets." I'm still looking for my helmets, but I know it hasn't been quite that long since the last Young Fresh Fellows record. Scott McCaughey hasn't lost his … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Foreign Cinema

Non-Synchronous Sound
Parallax Sounds (2009)

Moody, dark, atmospheric rock from this two-piece based out of San Francisco will send a shiver down your spine with this release. Think Peter Murphy backed up by members of The Cure and Mission UK on holiday. There's a definite Faith influence here which I am being drawn into after repeated listens. The last song on this release is a … Read more

Blacklisted

No One Deserves to be Here More Than Me
Deathwish Inc. (2009)

There probably hasn't been a record in recent months that has garnered any more whoopla than Blacklisted's No One Deserves to be Here More Than Me. My word, once people started getting in their pre-orders there was numerous threads and Facebook statuses either for or against this album. If anything, Blacklisted created probably the most talked about album of 2009. … Read more

Annabel

Each and Everyone
Count Your Lucky Stars (2009)

It's been a while since my last review and I'm still shaking off the writing cobwebs. After multiple tests and papers discussing the typical critiques of Western academia over the past few weeks, that module of my brain is somewhat worn out. So I am approaching the end of the decade with a somewhat lazy, but never inattentive, mindset on … Read more

Doomriders

Darkness Come Alive
Deathwish Inc. (2009)

Doomriders debut effort Black Thunder launched the Boston-based outfit into action with their dark-themed hybrid of punk, metal, and hardcore. Since its release the band has kept busy with a slew of recordings surfacing. There was a live 7" EP released shortly after their debut, two split recordings - with Coliseum and Disfear respectively - spread out over the past … Read more

The Human Quena Orchestra

The Politics of the Irredeemable
Crucial Blast (2009)

Surprising as it was to me that The Human Quena Orchestra is a project featuring members of Creation is Crucifixion that flew completely under my radar, I am jumping at the chance to check out what some of those guys are up to with their music. Anyone that ever gave Creation is Crucifixion a listen may recognize the electronic nature … Read more

After the Fall

Fort Orange
Raise Your Fist (2009)

As far as melodic punk goes, After the Fall are very good at what they do. They play a fast, aggressive style of punk that's similar to bands like Propagandhi, Good Riddance, and A Wilhelm Scream. Influence from said bands is evident on first listen to this record. In fact, they pay homage to their influences in some of the … Read more

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

200 Words Or Less

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

200 Words Or Less

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

200 Words Or Less

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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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)