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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)

I Killed the Prom Queen

Music for the Recently Deceased
Metal Blade (2006)

I'm not going to lie to you, kids. I have an affinity for most things from Down Under. I had family who lived there for fifteen years that I had the pleasure of visiting many moons ago. I've been on the Sydney Harbour Cruise, record shopping in Melbourne, held a wombat in Ballarat, and found my way back to a strip club in King's Cross. All of which, I might add, are highly recommended if journeying over. Now this isn't to say I like everything the land of Aus has ever produced, but their track record is somewhat better than most continents with fewer marsupials. With that said, I must admit that even after numerous listens, Music for the Recently Deceased really isn't a very good album. With their second album, Adelaide's I Killed the Prom Queen have created a milquetoast mélange of pseudo-aggro melodies and mosh-by-numbers breakdowns that may keep the kids ensconced, but the more discerning listener is sure to see through this cheap ruse. I have a pet peeve with the modern breakdown and anyone who uses it in the now all too familiar verse-chorus-verse-chorus-breakdown-chorus format. It's weak. It's telling the listener "Hey dummy, I know you'll … Read more

Murder Practice

Murder Practice
West Coast Worldwide (2006)

The wave of hardcore bands coming from the hotbed that is the Bay Area is endless; Murder Practice is the … Read more

Piebald

Accidental Gentlemen
Side One Dummy (2007)

I appreciate humor in music. Being a literary nerd, there's nothing more satisfying than catching a good pun or play … Read more

Only Crime

Virulence
Fat Wreck Chords (2007)

Supergroups are a curious entity, as they often appear to be incredible in the idea stage, but the expectations often … Read more

The Assailant

Colera
Rome Plow (2006)

A couple of weeks ago, I received a promo package in the mail from the beloved head of staff at … Read more

Architect

All is not Lost
Black Market Activities (2007)

As I mentioned in the Gaza review I wrote, I was eagerly anticipating Architect's first release All is not Lost. … Read more

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One from the archives

Vegas

Sagevisule
Last Anthem (2014)

The ever elusive Vegas has returned. While the band have released a scant few songs in the years since their full-length those songs have shown them maitaining a sense of quality. After a lengty wait a new EP containing four songs arrives, reflecting what Vegas is and where they may be heading.The whole shebang begins with a dark riff sounding like something from a Siouxsie & The Banshees song before quickly breaking into a neck snapping riff. Couple this with buried echoing vocals and one gets the full darkened effect. Sound effects occupy the calmer areas giving a base degree of uncertainty to the listener before fading into the next rager. The songs while dark and brutal fit within the existing dynamics of the band. They use the echoing vocals … Read more

More album reviews

Ladyfinger (ne)

Heavy Hands
Saddle Creek (2006)

First off, I have to say, "wow." This is really on Saddle Creek? That is totally unexpected. Being unfamiliar with what Ladyfinger (ne) is capable of musically, I am totally surprised. Heavy Hands is the debut album from these guys. It is a more than interesting offering by the description that I have been given for them. Most people have … Read more

the_Network

This is Your Pig's Portrait
Black Market Activities (2007)

The_Network poises itself to be one of the weirdest albums of 2007 despite the fact that it was released on the twenty-third day of the year. While they were lead to write the songs on This is Your Pig's Portrait after attending a Bloodlet show, I don't think all but the most trained and knowing ears would pick Bloodlet as … Read more

Sleeping Pilot

Panic Sex
Sonic Deadline (2006)

I've never had panic sex, and I don't really want to. It's not really a term that can have many happy endings. There are really only three things I can associate with panic sex: an unwanted pregnancy, an STD, or a dead hooker. Not what I want the outcome of any sexual encounter to be. But now a more positive … Read more

The Esoteric

Subverter
Prosthetic (2006)

Call it a sickness. Call it sheer stupidity. I have to admit that I have a soft spot I my heart for The Esoteric; I have ever since I saw them open for Coalesce a few years back. I remember remarking to my brother and friends that they reminded me of Coalesce (this was also the tour that Cory White … Read more

No Turning Back

Holding On
Bridge Nine (2006)

I don't know exactly when it happened - it was probably in the 90's- but you don't need to be from New York anymore to sound like a NYHC band. You could be from such sun-drenched locales like Florida and California. You could even talk about the tough streets in Tokyo, Japan or Umea, Sweden. You don't need to be … Read more

Pulling Teeth

Vicious Skin
Chainsaw Safety (2006)

Baltimore based Pulling Teeth released an extremely impressive demo and all expectations of what a proper release would be are exceeded on this recording. Vicious Skin is eleven tracks of fast-paced hardcore and crossover goodness served up over the course of fourteen short tumultuous minutes. On Vicious Skin, Pulling Teeth draw heavily from two schools of thought, paying homage to … Read more

Dustin Kensrue

Please Come Home
Equal Vision (2007)

All right doggies, saddle up. It's time to slip off those slip-on vans and lace up a pair of shit kickers; the terrain gets a lil' rough up ahead. That's right, y'all better trade in those half inch gauged earrings for a ten gallon hat because we're about to take a bucking ride through the romantic Midwest with Dustin "Dusty" … Read more

Geisha

Mondo Dell'Orrore
Crucial Blast (2006)

Noise is a funny term. Not "ha ha" funny, but highly prone to linguistic slippage: its connotations cover everything from the stylized squawk of Lightning Bolt to the Pacific Rim blasts of Incapacitants or Masonna. The mutant term "noisecore" has been beaten virtually beyond recognition, referring to everything from the nitroglycerin airbursts of World and Final Exit to the unrelated … Read more

Kylesa

Time Will Fuse its Worth
Prosthetic (2006)

Kylesa is a conundrum. They straddle so many genres and styles of music that it is almost fruitless to attempt to classify them. However, I believe that this fact is part of their appeal where in other bands' cases, it would be a detriment. Regardless, their new album, Time Will Fuse its Worth, marks the addition of two new drummers … Read more

Red Orchestra Radio

The Electric Sleep
Feeling Faint (2006)

I know you shouldn't judge people by the company they keep, but I propose that there should be certain exemptions from this rule. For example, the people who hang around with the school bully. They might not be the ones locking you in the bathroom come break time, stealing your lunch, or flying your ridiculously large underpants from the school … Read more

The Milkman's Union

Oh Boy
Young Scientist (2006)

Young talent can be dangerous thing to praise. On one hand, you have a young musician whose musical prowess is undeniable and you want to expose that talent in the hopes that others can experience it. On the other hand, you have to be careful at how much praise you give. After all, the musician is obliviously young and at … Read more

Amon Amarth

With Oden on Our Side
Metal Blade (2006)

According to the Vikings, the world will end in an apocalyptic battle known as Ragnarök, in which the dead will rise to attack the living and even the gods themselves will be torn asunder. If - or when - Loki and the forces of chaos descend on the world in a maelstrom of blood and thunder, I'd like to think … Read more

Defiant Voice

I'd Rather Sleep in the Dirt
Lorelei (2006)

Both fellow Scene Point Blank scribes Michael and Zed said that I would be fully into this five piece hardcore ensemble from Sacramento, California. I even recall Michael saying something about Defiant Voice being full-on 90's styled hardcore. How could I possibly not want to review a band that produces some tunes from my favorite decade of hardcore? Moreover, how … Read more

An Albatross

Blessphemy (Of the Peace Beast Feastgiver and the Bear Warp Kumite)
Ace Fu (2006)

Before I start this review, please identify yourself with one of the following definitions and complete the following sentence: I am a/an __ reader. A. You've listened to We are the Lazer Viking and you're interested in An Albatross's most recent album. B. You've heard of An Albatross (maybe even heard a track or two online/your friend's car). C. You … Read more

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