My first ever disclaimer: I like Nine Inch Nails. I thought the little 'Art is Resistance' campaign made for Year Zero (the best album of 2007!) was the most entertaining thing ever. I assault people who mention to me, just in case I hadn't heard about it, that Nine Inch Nails actually covered a Johnny Cash song (although, they must say, the original is better). I've even been quoted as saying 'I don't know guys, I think With Teeth is pretty good.' I won't front. I'm a Trent Reznor fanboy. As such, I find it awesome that sober Reznor has cranked out three albums (sixty-two tracks) in a little over a year. Upon hearing news of a new Nine Inch Nails release, my posture becomes straighter and more respectable. More of my prayers are answered and I become a more productive, less bitter worker. I begin to find the formalities of society less abrasive and seem less suspicious to the people around me. Keep it up, Trent. I can guarantee you that none of the previously mentioned phenomena will prevent me from giving an unbiased review. Not. But I will use restraint. The Slip, the second Nine Inch Nails release … Read more
Admittedly, this is one hell of a split record. Seriously, it would be interesting to have been a fly on … Read more
The background behind the formation of One Day as a Lion isn't really well, there at all. It pretty much … Read more
Family love really seems to pull through for a lot of musicians as of late (i.e. Burbis, Teenage Millionaire). There … Read more
Rogers and Hammerstein, Salieri and Mozart, DeNiro and Scorcese. What makes a great partnership? Is it differences in opinion that … Read more
Harmonic Motion: Volume 1 is the start of a Differential Records series aiming to bring together like-sounding instrumental groups. The … Read more
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Like his Hella counterpart Zach Hill - well, his original counterpart prior to the band's recent additions - Spencer Seim has recently ventured out on his own. Working under the moniker sBACH, Seim offers up his first compilation of solo recordings. As one listens through sBACH it becomes rather apparent that Seim has either played a major role in the songwriting or been highly influenced by the groups he's performed with. Structurally, many of the songs - none given titles, only numbers - are akin to the zany and off-kilter workings found throughout the Hella recordings. But rather than work in a frenzy of drumming that his counterpart Hill did, Seim showcases more traditional efforts behind the kit. In addition, video game-eseuqe snyths/effects reminiscent of his other project The Advantage … Read more
Trash Talk, the hype band come hardcore mainstays through relentless touring, have a lot of eyes and ears on them with the release of their self-titled album. Adhering to the D.I.Y. ethics that are the backbone of punk, the Sacramento band opted to release their newest album themselves, leaving behind Deathwish Inc., one of the largest labels in hardcore. If … Read more
Detroit, Michigan's Razzle Dazzle (or Rzl Dzl for the vowely impaired) is two dudes named Will and Haroun who basically just want you and everyone to rage. They aren't asking for Molotov cocktail type carnage as you try and smash the "man" in an anarchist state of complete disobedience. Nope, I think Razzle Dazzle's drink of choice is probably whatever … Read more
So many thoughts come to mind when I think of this California-based pop-punk group. This Time Next Year is a band that not only captured my ear, but also my heart when their demo recording landed in my mailbox. I was so infatuated with their sound that I literally put my money where my mouth was when I released A … Read more
I truly don't know what to make of this band. Some reviewers might like to scope out the band before claiming the promo (Yes, that's how it works. Sorry to pull back the curtain kids.) But others, like myself, tend to claim a CD with only a rudimentary understanding of what they sound like - usually according to their PR … Read more
With fuzzy riffs, elongated solos and twin guitar leads ala Maiden, this is a Hessian's dream. On III: Tales of the Ancient Age, Annihilation Time leaves the D.R.I. thrash influence in a cloud of bong smoke to focus on their shredding. That is, when they aren't ingesting chemicals, breaking bottles, or diving into the broken glass. Nearly every song on … Read more
Erie hardcore. Ninety-nine out of a hundred of you instantly thought of either Brother's Keeper or xDisciplex AD. While these two groups have since fallen by the wayside, there is still life in the ol' Lake Effect scene. Groups like Jesus Wept, War of Ages, Hank Jones, and Taste the Steel have all made names for themselves and their city … Read more
Richmond meets Melbourne on this split effort. Down to Nothing follows up last year's The Most while 50 Lions follows up an Australian-released full-length of their own. This split features each band contributing three new tracks. Down to Nothing picks things up right where The Most left off. The band's sound has gotten significantly less punk-oriented and more straightforward and … Read more
Catch Your Breath is an upstart hardcore group from the greater Los Angeles area. I couldn't find much background info on the band, so I'm assuming this is their first venture as a group. Life & Sounds is eight songs in twelve minutes. Musically the band plays fast-paced hardcore with a dash of the rock and roll similar to The … Read more
I know nothing of the Brazilian hardcore world, nor will I pretend to know anything. In fact, the only things I know about Brazil are they love football (Americans should read that as soccer) and they gave us thrashers Sepultura. Outside of that, I'm just a naïve no-nothing. Your Fall is from Curitiba, which, from what I can gather, is … Read more
Here's something new for you. Well maybe not new, but something we don't get much of these days. Offsides is a fast-paced melodic hardcore group from Connecticut with a female front-person. It's a Struggle to Communicate is the band's latest offering, a six-song EP. Musically the group draws influence from legendary groups like 7 Seconds and Gorilla Biscuits. The music … Read more
The Wonder Years return with a brand new 7", their follow-up to last year's Get Stoked on it!. The record features four new tracks that are exclusive to this release. The 7" starts off with a building intro before the band gets busy with "Solo & Chewy: Holdin' it Down." Like their previous effort, we are treated to a mixture … Read more
It's almost a little sad when drugs influence a lot of what musicians do (The Mars Volta?). It is equally sad and almost doubly disappointing when musicians ruin their reputations with shallow releases. Pegasuses XL is Make Dale (Disband), Jeff Tobias (We Versus the Shark), Joel Hatstat (Cinemechanica) and the renowned Jeff Rosenstock (Arrogant Sons of Bitches, Bomb The Music … Read more
I have a huge crush on Kim Deal. There, I said it. Fuck you, don't judge me. You probably rubbed one out to Vanessa Hudgens last night, you sick fuck. Kim's more woman than you could ever hope to get, pervy. That's right, the real Deal sisters are back and they're ready to lo-fi rock your socks off with their … Read more
Black metal is one of the last bastions of progression and experimentation in the metal community. Fifteen years ago that statement would have been laughable, but with the first couple generations of purists either incarcerated, dead, or at least moving on to other musical interests, a new generation has been left to carry the torch. This wave of bands is … Read more
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