Birthday Suits
Adult Party: Spin the Bottle
Recess (2015)
Birthday Suits always surprise me on record. Live, it’s fierce and reckless; sweaty mayhem and cathartic rock ‘n’ roll. On record, it’s more calculated, with the vocals coming stronger in place of the guitar/drum overload that powers the live show.The Minneapolis two-piece play something in the vein of garage rock, but with a ballsy and crafty “serious” musicianship that’s as … Read more
Bison B.C.
Lovelessness
Metal Blade (2012)
Every band reaches their peak at some point. Some blow their wads right out of the gate and spend the rest of their careers desperately trying to recreate an inexplicable combination of luck, talent, and inspiration. Some clumsily struggle through multiple albums worth of missteps before finally finding their collective voice. Others allow you to tag along on their journey … Read more
Bitter End
Climate of Fear
Malfunction (2007)
There was a brief period in my life when I lived in Texas. During that time, I attended quite a number of hardcore shows that were always overflowing with young and energetic bands of youthful individuals. Even though I've moved on and live elsewhere, I must say that I still keep tabs on Texas because there is constantly a flux … Read more
Bitter End
Mind in Chains
Malfunction (2006)
Bitter End is a five piece hardcore band from Helotes, Texas of all places. Helotes is a smaller city that is just northeast of San Antonio. Right now, this is the farthest place I can think of that I would find a band playing NYHC in the vein of Leeway and Killing Time. Okay, I know there are other bands … Read more
Biznaga
Gran Pantalla
Slovenly (2020)
Gran Pantalla is the third LP from Spain’s Biznaga. It’s predecessor, Sentido Del Espectáculo, was quite successful in Spain and numero tres comes with the lofty promise in the press material as “If Joe Strummer were actually from Granada, The Clash would have sounded something like this.” It’s also the band’s first record featuring collaborative songwriting, instead of each writer … Read more
Björk
Biophilia
Nonesuch (2011)
I have immense respect for Björk. She combines all of the showmanship and bombast of pop artists like Lady Gaga with the complex and intricate composition skills of electronic artists like Aphex Twin. She's one of the few pop artists that continue to push their own creativity with every release, and it is more than clear on her eighth studio … Read more
Björk
Medúlla
Elektra (2004)
Pop music usually isn't something that offers much variety in terms of groundbreaking artistic expression, innovation, and, when it all comes down to it, quality. In the MTV generation of plastic creativity, few dare to venture into the realm of experimentation for fear of losing that ever-so-valuable celebrity clothing line, and dropping off the Top 40 charts. For every Björk, … Read more
Bl'ast!
Blood!
Southern Lord (2013)
Southern Californias' Bl'ast are certainly not new by any stretch but possibly forgotten by most to the annals of time. Hardcore is a scene that attempts to treasure the past while forgetting certain standard bearers and originators as suits the times. Southern Lord has managed to unearth a forgotten chapter of hardcore history with this record of forgotten and remastered … Read more
Black Altar/Vulture Lord
Deathiah Manifesto
Odium Records (2022)
I'll be completely honest with you I am a bit of an amateur when it comes to black and death metal. I am only really familiar with the more well known bands of the genre; Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone, Carcass, Entombed and so on. I'm slightly embarrassed to admit to knowing almost nothing about Black Altar or Vulture Lord until choosing … Read more
Black Anvil
Hail Death
Relapse (2014)
Black metal is cool now right? Not to complain. I enjoy the genre, generally speaking, and the statement isn't a cut on Black Anvil as a band. It does seem like there are millions of BM bands coming out of the woodwork at this point. The skill or adherence to the genre are always up in the air. Black Anvil, … Read more
Black Boned Angel
The Endless Coming to Life
20 Buck Spin (2008)
Sometimes, curiosity completely gets the best of me, as is the case with my musical listening habits. And because of that I do hear quite a bit music that takes a while to process, like Black Boned Angel. Admittedly, the first exposure of Black Boned Angel to which I was privy, can be attributed to the collaboration with Nadja, Christ … Read more
Black Breath
Sentenced To Life
Southern Lord (2012)
Black Breath came out of the depths of the Seattle hardcore scene about 6 years ago and released a sole demo before getting the eyes and ears of the infamous Southern Lord. Since then they have managed to make a name for themselves playing a well thought out mix of hardcore and classic metal (in this case meaning Motorhead and … Read more
Black Cloud
Demo
Independent (2009)
Sometimes, there are chances that demos can surprise you while at other times they make you wish that you never put it on your stereo in the first place. Black Cloud's nondescript demo (in the most classic of terms), with its hand made heavy cardstock cover and barely visible cover image and homemade feel, falls squarely in the former category. … Read more
Black Cobra
Chronomega
Southern Lord (2009)
Black Cobra have quite an impressive sound considering they're only a two-piece band consisting of a guitarist and drummer. The duo consisting of Jason Landrian on guitar/vocals and Rafeal Martinez (ex-Acid King) on drums do a pretty good job of delivering a strong sludge metal sound that remains consistent throughout on their third album, Chronomega. Already with two albums under … Read more
Black Dice
Roll Up / Drool
Paw Tracks (2007)
Black Dice are ridiculous; they have the spottiest and most transformative of musical histories even when compared the most dysfunctional bands. After ten years and numerous experimentations in sound, the band is somehow still cooking up and destroying music, and with plenty of gusto to boot. The first of two songs is "Roll Up," and it starts the record off … Read more
Black Dots
Everything Has Gotta Change
Snappy Little Numbers / La Escalera Records (2019)
Some albums just hit you right away. I was vaguely aware of Black Dots – some friends saw them at The Fest last year and said nice things, so I figured I should check it out myself when a lovely one-sided 12” showed up at my door.Everything Has Gotta Change hits immediately. Opener “I’m Already Gone” lays the framework: introducing … Read more
Black Elk
Black Elk
Crucial Blast (2006)
Am I the only one who doesn't hear the comparisons to The Jesus Lizard that Black Elk has received from a handful of reviewers? I'm not saying that makes it a bad album, but besides a few isolated pieces of songs here and there, saying that this sounds like The Jesus Lizard is kind of a stretch. What I do … Read more
Black Eyes
Black Eyes
Dischord (2003)
I'm glad I got into this album before seeing Black Eyes' live show, because I would have been very unimpressed with the album after witnessing the insanity of their first show in Omaha. They nearly tore the ceiling off that tiny basement, and it was a nigh-religious experience. It's hard to believe that their first full-length, the s/t on Dischord, … Read more
