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ASG

Win Us Over
Volcom (2008)

ASG stands for Amplification for Self Gratification. The name is rather fitting for this North Carolina rock group. On Win Us Over, their third full-length, the band delivers equal parts stoner metal dirge, guitar-rock speed, and punk attitude. As with most bands of this genre, it is the guitars that take center stage. Bands like ASG are about rocking out, … Read more

Teenage Bottlerocket

Warning Device
Red Scare (2008)

Bark Like a Dog by Screeching Weasel was the first punk rock album that I ever fell in love with, which means (in theory) that any album that reminds of Bark Like a Dog will serve me as a romantic rehashing of why I fell in love punk rock. This means that by the absurd logic I just put forth … Read more

Earth / Sir Richard Bishop

Split
Southern Lord (2008)

Being a memento type release to commemorate the tour that these two parties undertook in the early part of 2008, I am surprised to see and hear that the music - at least the Earth song - is exclusive to this release. This makes collector nerds like myself get fussy (and a little bit lighter in the wallet) as they … Read more

Austin Lucas

Putting the Hammer Down
Magic Bullet (2008)

To be completely honest, I know more about Austin Lucas than I do about his current residence in The Czech Republic, which doesn't attest too much besides my ignorance of The Czech Republic. I know Lucas was born in the United States and moved, has played in crust and grind bands, and has worked with Chuck Ragan. Not necessarily the … Read more

Jet Lag Gemini

Fire the Cannons
Doghouse (2008)

Doghouse Records used to be one of my favorite labels. Their early roster included Endpoint, Falling Forward, Split Lip, etc. who in the 90's defined the vastly underrated Louisville/Midwest hardcore sound. It was emotive but heavy, melodic but hard; the sound was just everything great about the middle part of the country that happened in the last decade. Owner Dirk … Read more

Murder By Death

Red of Tooth and Claw
Vagrant (2008)

With their fourth full-length album, Murder by Death has finally brought all their varying influences together. Each of the band's previous recordings focused on a general indie rock sound, but they also flirted with various musical styles: folk, country, Americana, classical, and post-punk, among others. But with Red of Tooth and Claw all the band's previous flirtations and even some … Read more

Earth

The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull
Southern Lord (2008)

Luckily for fans of Earth, Dylan Carlson and company are very productive of late with Hex: Or Printing in the Infernal Method, Hibernaculum, and a host of smaller releases all being released within the last three or so years. This is a tremendous increase in recorded activity for the band considering how long they have been active. The Bees Made … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Basalt Fingers

Basalt Fingers
Three Lobed (2007)

This album definitely puts the "post" back in post-rock. The album consists of only two tracks, each clocking in over twenty minutes. The result is a pretty minimal endeavor, with lots of feedback and ominous sound effects. Obviously, bands like Godspeed! You Black Emperor immediately come to mind, but even that band has more structure than Basalt Fingers. Throughout the … Read more

The Carrier

One Year Later
Rock Vegas (2007)

Sometimes I wonder if there is any passion left in hardcore - and not passion to be popular, but a passion that inspires a band to play out just to have people connect and sing-along, releasing all their worries. When I first got into the hardcore scene, it wasn't so much what the bands were saying, but the fact that … Read more

Demiricous

Two (Poverty)
Metal Blade (2007)

These four hellraisers are, if not his new favorite band than, at least highly revered and recommended by Slayer's Kerry King, a bruiser who knows a few things about quality heavy music. Demiricous were accused of sounding a bit too much like Slayer on their debut, but since I unfortunately haven't heard it yet I can't say whether that's a … Read more

Skullflower

IIIrd Gatekeeper (Reissue)
Crucial Blast (2008)

Skullflower is the long running project of Matthew Bower, but in its initial incarnation the band did have other members and was a bit more "rock oriented" than the cacophonous oppression of sound and noise that Skullflower is today with Bower as the (pretty much) sole member and driving force. IIIrd Gatekeeper is a re-release of the extremely difficult to … Read more

Lymbyc Systym

Love Your Abuser Remixed
Mush (2008)

Love Your Abuser was released in January 2007, just over a year ago. As an intermediary release (before their next full-length), Lymbyc Systym got some friends together to remix their previously released songs. I was very eager to lend my ears to this release as Love Your Abuser is a very eclectic album. The band's unique take on instrumental music … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Restrained

Restrained
Glory Kid (2008)

Last year this California five-piece released a heck of a demo tape; one that had me quite excited to hear more from them. Well here we are in 2008 and what I have before me is the brand new 7" from Restrained. Like their previous release, the songs on this EP are filled with short, raw, and pissed off hardcore … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Defiant Hearts

Arlington
6131 (2007)

Massachusetts has pretty much been a breeding ground for hardcore bands since well hardcore started. Defiant Hearts is yet another in the long line of bands to come from the state, and they're armed with a new record. From the get-go of Arlington with "Ghost" it is quite evident what kind of a record you are in for. "Ghost" is … Read more

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