Recent reviews

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

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

Down-Stares

Cobras & Matadors
T.Rex Ate My Face (2008)

A couple of years ago, through my involvement with this website, I crossed paths with Down-Stares' independently released album The Watershed. This was an album that pushed me to my limits as a music critic because, as someone who prefers neatly defined genre categories and, even more so, inaccessibility in my music, Down-Stares is a challenge because of its blatant catchiness and hodgepodge mixture of influences from the world of heavy music. But I was simultaneously impressed with the album's eclecticism and attitude. Sometimes real creativity coming out of a genre left for dead (hard rock, screamo, chugga-chugga metal, or whatever) by the critics can be a hard pill to swallow. Down-Stares are back with Cobras & Matadors, out on T.Rex Ate My Face Records, which takes the production up a notch and displays a more aggressive, straightforward sound. The songs are fairly diverse, but they're all heavy, emotionally charged, anthemic rock, with some being more "metal" than others and some being more "punk" than others. I think the more melodic, screamo-styled songs ("Para Mi Familia," "Speed Dial," and "An Ambulance Named Emergency") are more solid and compelling than the chuggy metallic ones ("264 Roselawn" and "Cujo (This Is For … Read more

The Black Heart Procession

Six
Temporary Residence (2009)

Can anyone truly describe the sound of The Black Heart Procession? At times there is an audible melancholy that seems … Read more

Defeatist

Sharp Blade Sinks Deep into Dull Minds
Willowtip (2009)

I really hate bringing up the ex-members of thing when talking about records. No, seriously I do. Defeatist is the … Read more

Sunny Day Real Estate

Diary / LP2 (Reissues)
Sub Pop (2009)

When it comes to album reissues, it is actually a much more difficult task to write a fair and unbiased … Read more

Strung Out

Agents of the Underground
Fat Wreck Chords (2009)

Strung Out's Blackhawks Over Los Angeles was a record that had a lot of ups and downs. The album showcased … Read more

Fall of Efrafa

Inle
Halo Of Flies/Denovali/Sound Devastation (2009)

Fall of Efrafa proves further that there is still a great deal of inventiveness in existence within the underground music … Read more

Browse our review archives

Reviews by year

Choose a year to view reviews of albums released in that year.

Reviews by artist name

Choose a letter to view reviews ordered by that letter (band name first).

Review categories

200 Words Or Less

749 reviews

Book Review

42 reviews

Classic Album

25 reviews

Multiple Authors

300 reviews

Review

4868 reviews

Video/DVD Review

19 reviews

One from the archives

Animosity

Animal
Black Market Activities (2007)

Animosity has proven that metal can truly reign supreme again in the Bay Area. Following the initial burst of thrash metal that drew the attention of every person with long hair and a will to bang their head, the metal scene of San Francisco and its surrounding areas fell off and almost completely dissipated. Granted, in its absence we were catered to by a flourishing hardcore scene. But, when you're a Hessian seeking nothing more than wicked guitars, hardcore just doesn't cut it. With Animal, their second full-length and sophomore effort for Black Market Activities, Animosity have brought an unrelenting attack of thrash and death metal with the occasional flair of hardcore flavoring to the table. "Terrorstorm" begins the assault with a mixture of stunning drumwork courtesy of Navene Koperwies' … Read more

More album reviews

Rise and Fall

Our Circle is Vicious
Deathwish Inc. (2009)

Progression in music is never an easy thing to accomplish without getting mixed reactions; the hardcore community seems to be especially critical. You're always going to have that fan base that talks about how the older material is better, which in some cases, that is true. But in other cases, development and experimentation can lead to superior songwriting and material. … Read more

Kingdom

The Rage That Guides
Eulogy (2009)

Remember the mid 1990's and the vegan straightedge hardcore scene with its horribly over-sized clothes (big pants, basketball jerseys), staunch politics (hardline anyone?), and some of its more notable bands (Earth Crisis, One King Down, Morning Again, Culture, Birthright, Unconquered, and tons more)? I ask this question because not only do I, but because Kingdom is like a huge nostalgic … Read more

The Casualties

We are All We Have
Side One Dummy (2009)

Yes, this is the same Casualties which have been producing album after album of spiky haired "drunk" punk for some years now. But first, please allow me to digress and paint a picture for you. Turn the dial on the way back machine and sidle up with a steaming cup of coffee for a little "fireside" chat. My first exposure … Read more

Folsom

Hammer Lane
Ghost Town (2009)

Since hitting the scene with a monstrous demo, Folsom have kept themselves busy with a full-length, couple of EP releases, and sporadic touring. The Las Vegas hardcore group return with LP number two, which follows up their 2008 EP, Neon Light Nights. Folsom continue to churn out punishing metallic hardcore that mixes in a little bit of the beatdown flavor … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Streetwalkers

Vile Thoughts
Six Feet Under (2009)

It seems as though Six Feet Under is showing its punk roots. Not so surprisingly, so are some collected members of Ceremony. This short release works pretty well in relation to the Broken Patterns release I also reviewed. This takes a more classic hardcore punk route. Back in the mid '80s punk and hardcore got along mostly and the sound … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Broken Patterns

Broken Patterns
Six Feet Under (2009)

There's a couple ways to start this one. We could examine the ex members of pedigree, which normally would give you a hint at what is included. While I, just like anyone who was into hardcore in the earlier part of this decade, was suitably excited the band member pedigree (Knife Fight, Tear It Up, Cut The Shit, etc.) that … Read more

200 Words Or Less

In Desperation

Ghost Town, America
Independent (2009)

Decent enough modern hardcore that reminds me of a sped up Modern Life is War or a less metal Killing the Dream. Someone is itching for a Deathwish deal. They have really nice catchy melodic parts with some really un-needed signing... but I digress. If this band came through my neck of the woods I'd probably go see them and … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Redemption

Demo
Independent (2009)

Wow. Here's a first: a Christian hardcore band that doesn't annoy the piss out of me. Someone mark that down on a calender somewhere. Anyhow, Redemption play mid-pace hardcore that reminds me of mid-period Endpoint mixed with some Champion and chug-a-chug parts ala Trial to end up with some pleasing results. The lyrics are positive and tinges of emo white … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Mothra

Dyes
Self Made God (2009)

Noisy manic hardcore from Poland in the vein of Deadguy, Botch, or Norma Jean. Once again completely not my thing but Mothra seem to know what they are doing with their mathy assault. I wish I had more to say about this but I really don't have any frame of reference and it's too easy for me to make Polack … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Billy Club Sandwich

The Usual Suspects
Dead City/Rucktion (2009)

Besides some brilliant use of Photoshop to interpose the band members of Billy Club Sandwich in some memorable movies of the past 20 years there is really nothing else redeemable about The Usual Suspects. I never thought I heard a band that'd have worse cave man vocals than 25 ta Life but Billy Club Sandwich takes barking and grunting typical … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Bankrupt

Rocket to Riot City
Piar (2009)

Wow. I am sick to death of reviewing bands from across the pond. This time it's Hungry. One of my favorite uh adult actresses of all time was from Budapest. Michelle Wild...yeah...she was a dirty girl. I guess she got married and found God or something. Oh well. ANYHOW, Bankrupt are a very typical punk rock band that I had … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Collison of My Axioms

Veritas
Spook (2009)

Completely predictable chug mosh from Italy. If you like xLiferuinerx or live in my state of Minnesota you probably think this is the shit. The stop and starts on this four-song EP are giving me a headache that may lead to a grand maul seizure. If I hear one more song that starts off with a two-step part I am … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Trashcan Sinatras

In the Music
Lo-Five (2009)

The new record by this Scotland group features a finely polished veneer that glides smoothly through your ears from start to finish. The solid interplay of guitars between John Douglas and Paul Livingston continues to take each song to dizzying heights. Coupled with the sincere vocals of Frank Reader and the solid back-beat provided by Stephen Douglas, you are guaranteed … Read more

Goes Cube

Another Day Has Passed
The End (2009)

Is it necessary to combine musical styles rather than perfect a specific sound? It seems to me that so many groups want to be that next big crossover band, combining metal or hardcore with other genres to bridge gaps and appeal to a broader demographic. But this is rather difficult to pull off effectively, and I've always felt that the … Read more

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