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)

Bloodlined Calligraphy

Ypsilanti
Facedown (2006)

You, the Scene Point Blank readers, are probably tired of reading about how awful metalcore is these days. But as stagnant and formulaic as the genre is, bands just keep putting out albums and apparently there is fanbase that keeps eating this shit up. But somebody has to review them, so here we are. When SPB writers, including myself, review metalcore albums they seem to fall into one of two categories: 1. Utter garbage; Across Five Aprils even earned themselves a 0/10 2. Mediocre, fairly listenable albums that aren't quite as bad, but aren't very exciting either. Bloodlined Calligraphy is in the second category. First off, this band has the distinction of being one of the handful of female-fronted metalcore bands. And I have to give Ally French, Bloodlined Calligraphy's vocalist, some credit because she does a much better job than most men in the genre. Another thing that sets this band apart from most of their peers is that they actually have some semblance of hardcore in their sound. I usually cringe at the "-core" suffix because most of the bands that fall under the heading just play crappy pop-metal with a new face. But Bloodlined Calligraphy has a … Read more

Multiple Authors

Lifetime

Lifetime
Decaydance (2007)

Alright, I'm just going to come out and say it. I've been battling an evil demon inside myself that's been … Read more

Multiple Authors

Lifetime

Lifetime
Decaydance (2007)

On the song "Can't Think About it Now," Lifetime vocalist Ari Katz notes in passing that "nobody knows if the … Read more

As Hope Dies

As Hope Dies
Still Life (2006)

This self-titled affair is the final recorded material from the melodic death metal/hardcore outfit As Hope Dies. Prior to this … Read more

Agalloch

Ashes Against the Grain
The End (2006)

Agalloch formed in the mid to late 1990's as a studio project of sorts and have actually maintained that distinction … Read more

Various Artists

Our Impact Will Be Felt: A Tribute to Sick of it All
Abacus (2007)

Let's face it; if you're a hardcore kid and you DON'T like Sick of it All, there's something really and … 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

754 reviews

Book Review

42 reviews

Classic Album

25 reviews

Multiple Authors

300 reviews

Review

5018 reviews

Video/DVD Review

19 reviews

One from the archives

Perth Express

Discography
Teenage Disco Bloodbath (2007)

Perth Express is likely a band that you're unfamiliar with, but that's okay. Prior to being contacted by the label in regards to this discography release, I was totally oblivious to the band's existence. The world is a big place and you just can't be expected to know about every single band. Hailing from Germany, this discography encompasses the band's entire career up to this point. The collection begins with the band's more recent recording, a ten-song 12" LP, titled Perth Express - though all their albums seem to be self-titled affairs. The band launches into things full force with an instantaneous assault of metal-tinged hardcore and d-beat in the vein of His Hero is Gone, Cursed, and Trap Them. The guitar riffs are nasty and the drumming is phenomenal. … Read more

More album reviews

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 … Read more

Ignite the Will

Words Fail
Double or Nothing (2006)

I sometimes wonder what motivates individuals to be in a band full-time. That's a lot of devotion to one thing, and it comes with a lot of sacrifice, especially if you're a younger band. Well, Ignite the Will have recently made the decision to become a full-time band and their reasoning is as good as I've ever heard: "We would … Read more

Destroy Nate Allen

Awake O'Sleeper
Quiver Society (2006)

I'd like to start off this review by stating how much respect I have for Nate Allen. Just like G.G. Allin was committed to being the most sick and depraved human being he could possibly be, Allen is committed to prescribing to punk's D.I.Y. ethics and living his life by them. Using any means possible to tour and recording his … Read more

Cable

Last Call
Translation Loss (2006)

Cable might be one of the best bands that you have never heard. In today's punk and hardcore atmosphere there is a serious lack of the visceral disgust that bands like Cable have produced. Originally part of the burgeoning "noise-core" movement that included Deadguy and later Kiss It Goodbye, Cable outlasted their peers in both longevity and creativity with their … Read more

On Three

No More Excuses
Strikin' Out (2007)

I hate to pigeonhole myself as the token fast hardcore reviewer at Scene Point Blank but I just can't help myself when Michael lists off those promos we can snag up for review and I see words like "fast" "posi" and "melodic." I just have to swoop down and collect them all like a Pokemon Master of mediocre mid-level hardcore … Read more

Multiple Authors

Zozobra

Harmonic Tremors
Hydra Head (2007)

Zozobra is a tantalizing idea for a band. They are a two-piece outfit that is comprised of Cave In member Caleb Scofield and a member of the criminally unnoticed Forensics, Santos Montano - both members also do time in Old Man Gloom. The question then becomes, knowing how else the members otherwise occupy their time, what will this band sound … Read more

Multiple Authors

Zozobra

Harmonic Tremors
Hydra Head (2007)

Those frustrated by the fact that Old Man Gloom is nothing more than a studio project that rarely tours can get excited - at least a little bit. Caleb Scofield and Santos Montano, two of the players of Old Man Gloom, have formed a new vehicle with a similar sound, one that actually tours: Zozobra. Harmonic Tremors begins with "The … Read more

Pyramids

Following the Tracks, Forcing Motion Through Phases
Slave Union/Paramnesia (2006)

Listening to this album is like being on a train, a train that you know is going to crash. But even knowing this, you just sit there and wait. Slowly you look out the window and lament all that passes by almost without knowing why. As the music builds up your heart rate increases, the song climaxes, people scream, and … Read more

Nas

Hip Hop is Dead
Def Jam (2006)

A hip hop album hasn't sparked this much controversy in years. The title led to many rappers taking great offense. Specifically, southern artists like D4L and Young Jeezy got heated over the title, questioning whom Nas was to make such a declaration. The publicity generated, along with the loyalty of Nas fans, helped Hip Hop is Dead debut at #1 … Read more

The Ackleys

Forget Forget, Derive Derive
House of Love (2006)

It has to be considered near unforgivable to include the words "They're certainly not the first to write songs… and they probably won't be the last - but infectious, rock-solid indie pop will never go out of style" in a press sheet when one's aim is to try and sell a band, not make prospective listeners sigh with disappointment before … Read more

Fall Out Boy

Infinity on High
Island (2007)

In the punk scene alone, the collected amount of shit that has been talked about Fall Out Boy could probably fill the Atlantic Ocean…twice. I am certainly, without question or hesitation, as guilty of it as anyone else, but I'm willing to admit it when I like music by a band I have previously criticized. And so it is with … Read more

Seemless

What Have We Become
Equal Vision (2006)

Seemless is a hard rock band, straight up hard rock. Boasting ex-members of Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, and Overcast, this is kind of unexpected. What Have We Become is their second full-length. Their last one, a self-titled album, showed a bit of promise for what they could do in the future. Unfortunately, this Seemless record is mostly unremarkable. The sound … Read more

Om

Conference of the Birds
Holy Mountain (2006)

There is little disputing that Sleep was the quintessential stoner metal band. After breaking up due to the band's now infamous falling out with London Records, the members went on to form two bands that are insanely heavy in their own ways. Forming High on Fire, guitarist Matt Pike upped the tempos and the technical ability. Meanwhile, bassist Al Cisneros … Read more

The Handshake Murders

Usurper
Goodfellow (2007)

I feel like right now is an interesting juncture in "hardcore." With its popularity and accessibility, there are a lot of throwback bands that might seem progressive to some. But, really, some things are better left in the hands of either your predecessors or more capable hands. The Handshake Murders, which is an absolutely insipid, meaningless name, are unfortunately a … Read more

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