Review / 200 Words Or Less
Adams Dagger
The Ripper

Durty Mick (2009) Michael

Adams Dagger – The Ripper cover artwork
Adams Dagger – The Ripper — Durty Mick, 2009

Adams Dagger - California by way of Florida. This reminds of the 80's hardcore scene when bands moved from all over to California or New York to make it big. So in a way, this is nostalgic

and so is the music.

Adams Dagger play an 80's-inspired hardcore punk. The guitars definitely remind me a lot of the first Bad Brains full-length, it's astonishing how eerily similar they sound. "Hot Dog Down a Hallway" might be a tired expression, but damn if it still isn't a funny song title. Occasionally the band mixes in a Social Distortion-esque punk vibe, like on "Livin' Life." Vocally, I wish there were a bit more urgency in the delivery. The fast, spoken words are okay, I could use some more yelling to mix it up.

I'm into The Ripper. Like I mentioned before, it's a nostalgic listen and that's cool. Be on the lookout for their upcoming split 7" release.

6.5 / 10Michael • July 29, 2009

Adams Dagger – The Ripper cover artwork
Adams Dagger – The Ripper — Durty Mick, 2009

Related news

Adams Dagger Complete New Album

Posted in Records on January 6, 2010

Stream Entire Adams Dagger EP

Posted in MP3s on August 4, 2009

Recently-posted album reviews

La Luz

Extra! Extra!
Sub Pop (2026)

Formed in 2012, La Luz built their reputation on hypnotic surf-noir, eerie harmonies, and a uniquely supernatural warmth that made them one of Sub Pop’s most consistently compelling bands. Their 2024 full-length News of the Universe marked a major artistic shift. The sound became lush, cosmic, dust-covered, and produced by Maryam Qudus, whose work helped push the band into its … Read more

Dead Boys

Night Of The Living Dead Dolls
Cleopatra (2025)

Dead Boys, or should I say Dead Dolls (no, not those creepy little Dolls that were mass produced for wannabe Wednesdays). Johnny Blitz had just been stabbed on the streets of New York. A benefit was created to raise funds to help the fallen comrade, known as the Blitz benefit. Look it up, plebeians. Anyways cue in snot, attitude and … Read more

Crystal Lake

The Weight Of Sound
Century Media (2025)

Formed in Tokyo in 2002, Crystal Lake have spent more than two decades shaping their own high-velocity hybrid of metalcore, hardcore, and atmospheric chaos. Few bands of their era survived the genre’s shifts with their identity intact, and even fewer survived a complete vocalist change. But instead of slowing down, Crystal Lake sharpened. Now fronted by John Robert Centorrino, the … Read more