Ringfinger
Decimal
Little Black Cloud (2007)
The history behind Ringfinger's Decimal is rather interesting. Tracy Wilson, whom some of you may remember from Dahlia Seed, started the project shortly after the demise of her former group. Wilson originally wrote and recorded rough versions of these songs before seeking out many close friends to add, tweak, dismantle, and/or reassemble the songs with their own artistic insights. Now, … Read more
Ringworm
Justice Replaced by Revenge
Victory (2005)
It's rather sad that a band as influential as Ringworm has been reduced to being promoted as 'featuring members of Terror.' By no means is this a knock at Terror, they're a solid band and extremely entertaining in a live setting. But Ringworm is a band that has been around for over a decade. During that time the band released … Read more
Rip Room
Alight and Resound
Spartan Records (2022)
San Francisco trio Rip Room play a meandering art-punk style that’s forceful but equally unpredictable, largely built around bass licks and rhythm switches that give it an off-kilter dance vibe complemented by some angular guitar riffs that serve more as accent than lead. Musically I hear a good chunk of early post-punk meets math rock, but simplified into a 3-piece … Read more
Rise Against
Revolutions Per Minute
Fat Wreck Chords (2003)
Hmm.. I'm sure this band have a large enough fanbase, I really am. I bet there's a ton of kids that love Rise Against (should that be xRxAx maybe?) and will refuse to hear anything bad about their music. However, as an outsider, I'm afraid I'm going to upset hardcore fans. I listened to this record a lot. I did … Read more
Rise Against
The Sufferer and the Witness
Geffen (2006)
It's always nice when a band that exhibited incredible promise coming up through indie labels continues to show evolution without distancing themselves from their roots once they've hit major label status. Rise Against continues to prove that a major label doesn't mean shit when it comes to writing their music, which is one of the small reasons I like them … Read more
Rise and Fall
Faith
Deathwish Inc. (2012)
Rise And fall are a hardcore band from Belgium formed in 2002 out of the ashes of bands The Deal and Kingpin. One of the more successful European hardcore bands, Rise And Fall have been consistently putting out albums since their conception. Faith is their 4th full-length album.Right off the bat with this album, you are pelted with some of … Read more
Rise and Fall
Hellmouth
Surprise Attack (2005)
This quartet hails from Belgium and obviously has better taste in music than a good portion of the people I cross paths with each day. Whether it is through random conversation, looking at what others are purchasing at records stores, or just flipping through channels on the radio, I keep an ear open to what music people are into. And … Read more
Rise and Fall
Into Oblivion
Deathwish Inc./Reflections (2006)
On last year's Hellmouth Rise and Fall showed obvious signs of influence from metallic hardcore acts Integrity, Leeway, and Ringworm. With their new full-length, the Belgian punkmetal outfit have taken that sound and built on it by incorporating more rock and metal aspects to their sound, resulting in a sound that is louder, fuller, and more intense. "Forked Tongue" serves … Read more
Rise and Fall
Our Circle is Vicious
Deathwish Inc. (2009)
Progression in music is never an easy thing to accomplish without getting mixed reactions; the hardcore community seems to be especially critical. You're always going to have that fan base that talks about how the older material is better, which in some cases, that is true. But in other cases, development and experimentation can lead to superior songwriting and material. … Read more
Rise of Marakara
Rise of Marakara
Independent (2004)
have the toughest time reviewing material from young bands. For some reason, I feel that just because the band is young, they should have some sort of handicap in terms of review score and such. But on the other hand, if you're this young and this unprepared, you shouldn't be putting out something that is going to sound as immature … Read more
Rishloo
Eidolon
Rishloo (2007)
Music enthusiasts with more discerning tastes often feel Tool's work over the last ten years is a little - lacking. Could you really blame them for this? Whether it's a result of the group being spread too thin between other projects or maybe truly running out of ideas after "96, it's pretty obvious that Maynard James Keenan and crew have … Read more
Ritual
Wolves
Still Life (2007)
I don't know what it is but Europeans love vegan and straightedge hardcore a lot more than us Americans do, or at least they come across as more passionate about them than the average hardcore fan here. I can't explain it nor will I attempt to do so. I just know there is a greater concentration of those types of … Read more
Rival Schools
Pedals
Photo Finish (2011)
Have you ever been so excited to hear that a record is coming out after a long wait only to have it delayed longer to the point of it actually kind of sneaking out below your musical radar so to speak? Even in this modern internet age, this scenario still occurs; and honestly it drives me nuts trying to pay … Read more
Rivers Edge
New Hope for the Dead
Lifer Tapes (2018)
As a record reviewer, sometimes I find it hard to review different works by the same artists. There comes a point when I just say “this sounds like that,” which doesn’t help anyone. So as much as I’m trying to avoid that angle here, I’m going to start out by mentioning that Rivers Edge features members (and the same vocalists) … Read more
Rivers Edge
The Runaround
Let’s Pretend Records/Dead Broke Rekerds (2019)
Runaround is the third release I’ve heard from Rivers Edge, and besides feeling like a nice metaphoric album title for the band’s style – accessible DIY pop punk with a lot of unexpected turns – it also feels like the band is really coming into their own. In the past I’ve observed a “sum of the parts” vibe, sharing elements … Read more
Rivers Of Nihil
The Work
Metal Blade (2021)
The Work was one of the most anticipated metal records of the year. Let me start this review by curbing your enthusiasm and letting you know that this album is a bitter disappointment. It took me about sixteen listens (it was a fucking chore) to also find out that it’s ultimately not a legitimately bad album, but it isn’t legitimately … Read more
Riverside
Shrine of New Generation Slaves
Inside Out (2013)
Riverside is one of those surprise acts, emerging out of Poland to somehow join the ranks of Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree as one of the biggest progressive bands of the 00s. And with critically acclaimed albums like Second Life Syndrome and Rapid Eye Movement under their belt, they've proven time and time again that they can deliver powerful, complex … Read more
Rixe
Coupes et Blessures EP
La Vida Es Un Mus Discos Punk (2015)
Well this was bound to happen. With so many hardcore acts flirting with Oi! for the last few years it’s not surprising that somebody finally came out like, fuck it, we’re just going to be an Oi! band. It’s not the first time by any means—there’s been the PDX crusties’ side project Criminal Damage and the Brendan Radigan-fronted Battle Ruins—but … Read more
