Taken verbatim from the initial notes of the reviewer: Starts out promisingly enough with Derek Jay beating the snare like he just caught it pooching his wife. Same energy as early Metallica (hey kids! remember them?). Vocalist reminiscent of the Avenged Sevenfold dude. Christ, I hope he looks cooler.) The song being referred to is the opening and title track "Shadows of Vanity". To call Hell Within the ultimate Headbanger's Ball band would not be a compliment. To say it should be the ultimate Headbanger's Ball band would be more apt, because as anyone who watches the show can attest to, it's become a not-so-delightful mélange of Ozzfest castoffs and sound-alikes that hardly has one rushing to the music shop to pick up the latest and greatest. Hell Within could very well be the next savior of heaviness. Crisp, suitable production, slightly above average vocals (possibly improved by a recent singer-sacking) minimal (yet sadly, still existent) breakdowns but surrounded by some of the best riffs this side of the last Exodus album make this one of the few albums you can really bust out the mosh to. Read more
So far this year the genre that is 'screamo' hasn't been delivering much of anything. Luckily we have Funeral Diner, … Read more
Instrumental music, I've found, requires patience to fully appreciate it. Sitting through detached, quiet parts of songs is by no … Read more
In recent years, post-rock has become the urban sprawl of independent music. Invasive, bloated, and undeniably comfortable, it has steadily, … Read more
It took me a little while to hear the music in this music. At first and even tenth listen, Marnie … Read more
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Oh my god, where should I start with this one? Saying you’re something doesn’t make you that thing! Just because this band smokes weed does not make them the genre “stoner punk.” LMI process elements of hardcore, punk and stoner music. But not the parts I enjoy about those sounds. Their logo and various cover illustrations are the most honest and powerful part of this release. For that reason, I’m excited to see what this band is doing in five years. When their imaginary starts to match the sounds coming out of the speakers, LMI will become far more interesting.The vocals are an abrasive after-thought. I have to keep turning it off to be able to think and write. Because the guitarist is seemingly uncomfortable singing and playing, the vocals … Read more
The first time I heard The Longue Durée was driving back from the Holy Roman Empire's record release party. I was lucky enough to accompany a friend's band that was also playing and they invited me along. That was a nice gesture on their behalf since they knew I was a fan. Anyway, on some stretch of highway between Wisconsin … Read more
I don't know much about the Swedish band Naglfar, but I get the impression that they are well respected in black metal circles. But what I do know is that Jens Ryden, ex-vocalist of Naglfar and a veritable black metal jack-of-all-trades, knows how to make an impressive album all on his own. Ryden did it all on Profundi's Omega Rising: … Read more
Sometimes when a reviewer receives an album, it can be difficult to decide how best to approach the review. The "spin" so to speak. Is a band history in order? What are their associations with other bands? Is there a glib, irreverent take to be done on the music that will entertain the reader? Not unhindered by other commitments that … Read more
Heavy music is back on the upswing in South Florida. Torche, forging on where Floor left off, has been making noise on both a national and European stage with their bomb-string-fueled stoner pop. Shitstorm has been wreaking havoc playing blastbeat-laden grindcore in the style of gems from the glory days of Slap-A-Ham and 625 Records. And Consular has been delivering … Read more
Hailing from Philadelphia, Hostages play over-emotional guilt ridden hardcore in the version of American Nightmare, The Hope Conspiracy, Suicide File and other bands that once hailed from Boston. I would compare them to Knives Out if anyone outside of the City of Brotherly Love knew who I was talking about. Hostages are another band for lonely sleepless nights with your … Read more
Everything Falls Apart gets big ups and putting this seven-inch out all on their own. Six songs of semi-melodic 80's styled punk/hardcore with snotty vocals. No chugga-chugga breakdowns, no useless slogans, no emo meanderings, just straight up fast hardcore that may be played a bit sloppy but most assuredly played with all heart. Read more
Fast rocking hardcore that sounds like it wants to be on the late 80's Epitaph back catalog. Extremely catchy, it makes me want to grab my board and skate some empty pools even though I haven't touched a skateboard since I was five years old. At times 120 Years in the Business! has bit of old school NYHC type feel … Read more
I'm a little disappointed that this is the last release in the storied career of NY's Kill Your Idols. Maybe I'm sad to see them go and wanted one more full-length and not four songs and one Sheer Terror cover that were probably being demoed for the album anyhow. If you never heard Kill Your Idols, they played fast hardcore … Read more
Hey wow, great, albeit, generic 2000-era straightedge hardcore in the vein of Floorpunch, In My Eyes and Fastbreak before they wanted girlfriends. This EP is all about the stage dives; dive-bomb intros, and playing as fast as humanly possible without losing a sense of melody. If the last song, "No End in Site," weren't your typical Modern Life is War/Comeback … Read more
The Endless Blockade are d-beat political hardcore from Toronto, Canada. They have one gruff singer and one yelper. It's heavy but generic as all hell. Their fast parts make no sense at all and it comes off as a complete violent blur, which I'm sure is the point. This really isn't my thing but if you haven't showered in a … Read more
Ah here we go, something a little more my style. Get a Grip play tough hardcore with a slight get-low feel coupled with the constant hammering of Integrity or maybe the Cro-Mags but not nearly as metal. There's a couple of guitar solos from time to time and tons of mosh parts. If you are into newer heavier hardcore bands … Read more
Giant Haystacks play really jangly indie rock. It's like a mix of Minutemen with The Jam trying to play early R.E.M. songs. This is probably nothing I will ever listen to again after this review but it's good for what it is. It's awesome they took their name from the legendary English wrestler. Read more
Issei Sagawa is Flipper-inspired annoying punk rock that tries to offend right down to the full sized poster of the members of the band peeing on each other in the insert. Issei Sagawa sounds like every misanthrope's first band right down to the shit recording in some dude's garage. I didn't even bother flipping this over and listen to their … Read more
This 7" is a compilation of some demo tracks and live songs from this Birmingham, AL punk band that sounds like early hardcore/punk from California. If you are thinking Dead Kennedys, The Germs, and The Weirdos then you'd be right. The live stuff is a tough listen, the other songs are generic as all hell. Everything about this release stinks … Read more
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