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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)

Sam Russo

Hold You Hard
Red Scare Industries (2025)

Art is subjective -- and sometimes it's curious what appeals to you. Hold You Hard is the latest from solo songwriter Sam Russo about travel, memory, and experience. There are stories of celebration throughout this record. Yet, for whatever reason, it's the somber, sadder songs that strike a chord with me as I listen to the album. "Gator Lodge" and "Padlocks & Germs Burns," for example, tell tales of revelry and human connection. Somehow I don't connect with those songs (even though I've been to both locations) -- but I do feel the mood of the moment in "The Muckleshoot Casino" and "Lifeguard Tower." While this record brings a full band into the mix, as compared to just Russo and a guitar, the song structures still fit that singer-songwriter mold. It's more about the lyrics and the story progression than instrumental variety. The louder full band adds some more diverse sounds, but the vibe is lyrics-first with the music as a compliment. Of course, there are always exceptions. "Santa Monica Waves" uses a perfect crescendo to bring it all home, and right after it "Whinny Whinny" adds harmonies and more upbeat drumming. In these instances the full band really stands … Read more

Spite House

Desertion
Pure Noise (2025)

Spite House is a post-hardcore band based out of Montreal dropping their second record titled ”Desertion on Pure Noise Records. … Read more

Bad Cop Bad Cop

Lighten Up
Fat Wreck Chords, Hopeless (2025)

If you haven’t heard of the Southern Californian band Bad Cop Bad Cop, then you are truly missing out on … Read more

xNullifyx

xNullifyx
New Morality Zine (2025)

I love almost all genres of music, but hardcore has always been towards the top for me. I love the … Read more

Dave Hause

...And The Mermaid
Blood Harmony Records (2025)

...And The Mermaid is Dave Hause's eighth full-length solo album if I’m counting right. The big news with this new … Read more

Face Yourself

Fury
Sumerian (2025)

Face Yourself is a transcontinental deathcore force that has been around since 2023. It’s amazing to me that their members … Read more

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One from the archives

This Ending

Inside the Machine
Metal Blade (2007)

This Ending's Inside the Machine is a creeper. The first time I heard it, I really didn't care for it. It was alright, but the music seemed somewhat stilted and uninspired. Sure it was heavy, but so are a lot of groups - groups that manage to be more interesting, as well. Then, as I'm wont to do, I gave the album a second listen, and then a third. And with each listen, it became apparent that while hardly earthshaking, this was an album to savored and appreciated in its own time like a fine wine, cheese, or exploitational film. This isn't to say that Inside the Machine is without its flaws, of which there are many. It definitely falls into the melodic death metal category, yes, but sadly brings … Read more

More album reviews

Silverstein

Pink Moon
UNFD (2025)

It’s wild to think that Silverstein has been a band for 25 years. That is quite the accomplishment to achieve. The Ontario, Canadian post-hardcore/emo band has released 12 studio albums in that time and are getting ready to drop lucky number 13 with Pink Moon. This 8-track album is set to be released on September 12 through UNFD. It is … Read more

American Television

You’re Not Alone
Smartpunk Records (2025)

Hailing from our nation’s capital of Washington, D.C., come the melodic punk band American Television. The band formed around 2013 and has been hitting it hard ever since their inception with multiple releases under their belts. The band’s latest release, You’re Not Alone, is a six-song EP that is slated to drop on September 19th via Smartpunk. This is a … Read more

Between the Buried and Me

The Blue Nowhere
Inside Out (2025)

Between The Buried And Me are seasoned vets to the progressive metalcore, electronic, prog (whatever other genre they bend) scene and continue to drop album after album. Their career started back in 2000 from the ashes of one of the greatest metalcore bands of all time (in my humble opinion), Prayer For Cleansing. As the band has progressed over the … Read more

The Beths

Straight Line Was A Lie
Anti (2025)

Dear Beths, Congratulations on the new release. I’ve been reflecting on our relationship and, as I’ve recently started to write about music again, have been asked to share my thoughts with you. First and foremost, I want to say that this isn’t easy for me. I cherish your album Future Me Hates Me from 2018. The title track alone is … Read more

East End Redemption

Crashing Down
Independent (2025)

Who would’ve thought that from the land of lobsters and blueberries, you’d find a punk band? East End Redemption is a four-piece band that brings their flavor of punk from Portland, Maine to the masses with their eleven song, debut full-length album, Crashing Down. They mix elements of skate punk, power pop, and even hints of hardcore punk. The band … Read more

Pretty Bitter

Pleaser
Tiny Engines (2025)

Pretty Bitter is a 5-piece band originating in 2017 and hailing from Washington, D.C. It was formed by Mel Bleker (lead vocals) and Miri Tyler (bass/vocals). Their second full-length titled Pleaser was released on July 25th of this year on Tiny Engines. And what a throwback feel this album gives! If this band and album came out in the early … Read more

Jason Paul + The Know It Alls

I'm Absolutely Terrified
Independent (2025)

I'd call Jason Paul + The Know It Alls happy punk except, well, it ain't. The lyrics are somber and thoughtful, yet the tone and melodies are uplifting and that's what I go by. I'd also call it San Pedro chill punk, as it has some similar elements to other bands from the area while maintaining a go-with-the-flow kind of … Read more

Various Artists

Pulley/Fire Sale – ‘Split Personality'
Negative Progression Records (2025)

When I saw this split 7” announced, I genuinely got excited. I love both bands. I knew that when you have two powerhouse punk bands coming together to drop a split, nothing could go wrong. While one of the bands, Pulley, is a household name in the punk community, the other is on the rise. I guarantee you know the … Read more

Middle-Aged Queers

Theatre of Shame
Engineer Records, Sell The Heart Records (2025)

Theatre Of Shame is the third LP from Bay Area band Middle-Aged Queers, a band whose moniker definitely gives away the plot. The band celebrates community with party punk songs like "Glizzies Banging" and "Pajama Party," but it also has pointed political commentary about the dangers of a bigoted society. In equal parts, Theatre Of Shame is about celebration and … Read more

Sleep Pod Two

Rehearse Your Future
Mindpower Records (2025)

You can always tell when a band contains seasoned musicians. They give off a different aura through their music and it sounds complete. It just meshes better. The songwriting is well done, the vocal melodies are catchy, and the transitions from verses, choruses, and bridges are complex but accessible. That is the case with this band. Let me introduce you … Read more

The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die

Dreams of Being Dust
Epitaph (2025)

I’m instantly drawn to bands that have intriguing or long names. Without even listening to the first note of the band, I know it’s going to be pushing the boundaries of normalcy in music. Which is why it should be no surprise that TWIABP, in certain spots through this album, remind me of the band ...And You Will Know Us … Read more

Testors

Prime Primitive: 1976–1977
Green Noise Records (2025)

Press release says this came out May 30th so I’m even more behind than usual… Blame summer! I did get an advance download which instantly caught my attention and I’ve listened many times since then. The guitars are shredding. The quick turn around in the chord progression from “Hey You” could or may have inspired Greg Ginn on the early … Read more

Eater

The Lost 1978 Sessions
Cleopatra (2025)

Hopefully everyone reading this already knows that Eater was one of the early British punk bands. Forming in North London in 1976, Eater was one of the youngest bands in the burgeoning UK punk scene, with the members being aged 14-17 at the band’s inception. Eater issued a series of singles and one album for The Label between 1977-1978 before … Read more

Spark of Life

Plagued by the Human Condition
New Age Records (2025)

Spark Of Life hails from LA and has been around since the early 2000s. Their debut album dropped in 2003, but it took almost two decades to drop their newest album titled Plagued by the Human Condition. This album was released through New Age Records out of southern California, and it is worth checking out. If you’re familiar with New … Read more

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