108
18:61
Deathwish Inc. (2010)
Excellent! 108 is dropping their second post reunion LP (a feat that I think further proves their honest intentions of just creating and playing music), and dear lord this record is a long time coming (it took more than a year following recording to see the light of day); such waits can do funny things to a band that can … Read more
108
A New Beat from a Dead Heart
Deathwish Inc. (2007)
Eleven years! It has been roughly eleven years since 108 last released a studio effort discounting last year's one-oh-eight demo. That is a long time between albums; the really scary aspect of that factoid for me is that I remember purchasing that last record when I was in high school. So much has changed in the landscape of underground music … Read more
Blacklisted
...The Beat Goes On
Deathwish Inc. (2005)
Despair, anger, and doubt are all located on the polar opposite side of happiness and are never a joy to experience in one's life. These feelings do, however, make for great hardcore albums. ...The Beat Goes On is one of the best examples of negative energy being used to create one thick, menacing, evil piece of human desperation and ruin. … Read more
Blacklisted
Heavier than Heaven, Lonelier than God
Deathwish Inc. (2008)
Let's be honest, the vast majority of hardcore music is similar sounding. There is only so many ways in which you can arrange music that falls under the umbrella of hardcore. Sure, there are small variations in style and sound, but the moment a band redefines what hardcore is and becomes the next big thing there is a fleet of … Read more
Blacklisted
No One Deserves to be Here More Than Me
Deathwish Inc. (2009)
There probably hasn't been a record in recent months that has garnered any more whoopla than Blacklisted's No One Deserves to be Here More Than Me. My word, once people started getting in their pre-orders there was numerous threads and Facebook statuses either for or against this album. If anything, Blacklisted created probably the most talked about album of 2009. … Read more
Blacklisted
Peace on Earth, War on Stage
Deathwish Inc. (2007)
All true hardcore has always abided by one rule: keep it short and sweet. With their newest seven inch, Peace on Earth, War on Stage, Philadelphia's Blacklisted dutifully abides. Totaling just about six minutes this record is an all out assault on anyone accusing the band of being just another set of guppies in a sea of thug bands. The … Read more
Cast Aside
The Struggle
Deathwish Inc. (2004)
Remember those spelling/definition tests that you had to take in grade school? You know, the ones where they ask you to give the definition of a word or use it in a sentence. I always loved those, maybe because I thought they were so easy. Okay, term one: "irony." - "Michael, an individual who is not straightedge, enjoys countless bands … Read more
Code Orange Kids
Love Is Love//Return To Dust
Deathwish Inc. (2012)
Much of the press that Pittsburgh-based hardcore act Code Orange Kids garnered with the release of its debut 7” Cycles late in 2011 was centered on the young age of the members. Almost a year later, the band has gone through three pressings of Cycles, signed to Deathwish, Inc., released a split with another rising band - Full Of Hell … Read more
Cold World
Dedicated to Babies Who Came Feet First
Deathwish Inc. (2008)
Thankfully raps inclusion into the world of heavy music has been greatly ignored in hardcore minus a few forays into the ugliest parts of New York City, North Jersey, and a couple sightings in California in the early 90's. Then came Cold World from Wilkes-Barre, PA with their cute little samples and lyrics lifted from various hip hop artists. Next … Read more
Coliseum
Anxiety's Kiss
Deathwish Inc. (2015)
On Anxiety’s Kiss, punk veterans Coliseum are back with a heavy, dark, melodic new album. The band’s maturity and experience are evident here even to someone who, like this reviewer, was woefully ignorant of their music until now. If you, like me, have somehow stayed in the dark about Coliseum this long, this album is a fine entry point. Unfortunately, … Read more
Coliseum
True Quiet / Last Wave
Deathwish Inc. (2009)
Yes, a new Coliseum record! Although they are not as prolific as they used to be, Coliseum continues to give listeners new music at least semi regularly. And even though we are still quite a ways away from hearing a new full-length from this touring machine, they still drop this single in an attempt to tide us all over. Although … Read more
Deafheaven
Roads To Judah
Deathwish Inc. (2011)
When I initially read about San Francisco’s Deafheaven, I didn’t expect to be surprised by their recordings. Anytime I see the “black metal” label, even when citing a slight influence on a band, I instantly believe that the label is misused and have no interest in checking the band out. Unfortunately I am guilty of this with Deafheaven, and their … Read more
Deafheaven
Sunbather
Deathwish Inc. (2013)
If there was ever an album to challenge Altar of Plagues recent Teethed Injury and Glory for most divisive black metal record of the year, then Deafheaven’s sophomore effort Sunbather is surely the strongest challenger. The band split opinion in almost every circle – black metal fans, shoegaze fans, awful hipsters, critics – no one seems to know what to do with this group … Read more
Doomriders
Black Thunder
Deathwish Inc. (2005)
Throughout the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Nazgul have their own musical score. The music that was written for them is dark and operatic; when you hear it, you anticipate awful things to happen. And yet, I feel the choice that was made just wasn't dramatic enough so I took it upon myself to choose new music for … Read more
Doomriders
Darkness Come Alive
Deathwish Inc. (2009)
Doomriders debut effort Black Thunder launched the Boston-based outfit into action with their dark-themed hybrid of punk, metal, and hardcore. Since its release the band has kept busy with a slew of recordings surfacing. There was a live 7" EP released shortly after their debut, two split recordings - with Coliseum and Disfear respectively - spread out over the past … Read more
End of a Year
End of a Year
Deathwish Inc. (2009)
Yes, End of a Year give us yet another new record into which we can sink our collective teeth (if one so chooses) and its three songs might just be the best work that they can lay claim (outside my favorite song of theirs still, "Harrison"). This Albany, New York, crew truly give three crisp, D.C. hardcore inspired tracks of … Read more
End of a Year
You Are Beneath Me
Deathwish Inc. (2010)
“To best enjoy this album… try new things” So starts one of the catchiest records this year this side of the Descendents and Rites Of Spring and maybe you do not fit the description given in this opening soliloquy set to music but that does not mean to stop listening by any means, but rather it puts you in the … Read more
Final Fight / Life Long Tragedy
Split
Deathwish Inc. (2006)
The vast majority of hardcore that's described as "heartfelt" comes off sounding "cheesy," "uninspired," and "contrived." The "emotive" vocals as "whiny." You get the idea. Southern California and Northern California's respective Final Fight and Life Long Tragedy are two vital exceptions, pioneering their own brand of modern hardcore. With their debut full-lengths in 2005, Under Attack and Destined for Anything, … Read more
