Testors
Prime Primitive: 1976–1977
Green Noise Records (2025)
Press release says this came out May 30th so I’m even more behind than usual… Blame summer! I did get an advance download which instantly caught my attention and I’ve listened many times since then. The guitars are shredding. The quick turn around in the chord progression from “Hey You” could or may have inspired Greg Ginn on the early … Read more
The Beths
Straight Line Was A Lie
Anti (2025)
Dear Beths, Congratulations on the new release. I’ve been reflecting on our relationship and, as I’ve recently started to write about music again, have been asked to share my thoughts with you. First and foremost, I want to say that this isn’t easy for me. I cherish your album Future Me Hates Me from 2018. The title track alone is … Read more
The Carolyn
Pyramid Scheme of Grief
59X, Disconnect/Disconnect (2025)
This is one of my "find" records of the year so far. I caught a few songs by The Carolyn at FEST 22 and that essentially put them on my radar, but a new record gets a band even more on my radar. But I've been struggling on how to describe The Carolyn. I'll start with "like The Lawrence Arms, … Read more
The Dwarves
Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows
GREEDY (2025)
Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows is a live studio recording from 1989, released on picture disc earlier this year on limited vinyl for Record Store Day. Given that it came shortly before the release of Blood, Guts & Pussy, it's no surprise that it's heavy on songs from that record (10 of 14, if I've counted correctly). It's more primal than … Read more
The Men
Buyer Beware
Fuzz Club Records (2025)
I wanna say the first time I heard Brooklyn NY’s The Men was back in 2010, ironically around the time I moved back to Vancouver, Canada from Brooklyn. I don’t recall having seen or heard of them when I lived there but that is not surprising. One of the reasons I moved back was that I wasn't going out much. … Read more
The Penske File
Reprieve
Gunner Records, Stomp Records (2025)
I used to dislike punk music where people sing. And, well, I'm still not super fond of it but there is an exception to every rule. The Penske File are one of those exceptions and maybe it's because while they have a singer (as compared to a "vocalist"), it's still authentic and conveys that everyperson vibe I seek in the … Read more
The Slow Death
No Light To See
Don’t Sing Records (2025)
Few bands have as fitting a name as The Slow Death. They play forlorn, self-deprecating punk that’s heavily influenced by lonesome country. The music itself is more driving and punchy, but many of the lyrics would fit just well in a somber old-timey country ballad. It’s forceful music that punches inward instead of at The Man. The first song is … Read more
The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die
Dreams of Being Dust
Epitaph (2025)
I’m instantly drawn to bands that have intriguing or long names. Without even listening to the first note of the band, I know it’s going to be pushing the boundaries of normalcy in music. Which is why it should be no surprise that TWIABP, in certain spots through this album, remind me of the band ...And You Will Know Us … Read more
To The Grave
Still
Unique Leader (2025)
Coming from Australia, To The Grave bring their brutal vegan deathcore offering Still to fans worldwide. This EP punches you right in the gut with seven tracks of horror infused mayhem. These tracks were originally recorded during their sessions of making their previous full-length, Everyone’s A Murderer. However, the band thought they didn’t fit the overall feel of that record … Read more
Unseemlier
I Have A Screw Loose, Somewhere
Sell The Heart Records (2025)
What does Unseemlier sound like? I've been mulling that question as I listen to I Have A Screw Loose, Somewhere for a while now. As I listen to more and more Sell The Heart releases, The band is from Boston, but seemingly influenced by late '80s DC. It's heavy, but more with hardcore-like vocals shouted over moving, building guitars and … Read more
Various Artists
Her Head's On Fire/Arms Like Roses - Split
Double Helix (2025)
Her Head’s On Fire (NY, NY) and Arms Like Roses (New Haven, CT) team up on this split 7” with two new tracks (one each band) of post-hardcore tunes that are both massive and melodic in their own distinct ways. "Universal" is the track from Her Head’s On Fire. Recorded by the band’s guitarist Jeff Dean, "Universal" came from the … Read more
Various Artists
Pulley/Fire Sale – ‘Split Personality'
Negative Progression Records (2025)
When I saw this split 7” announced, I genuinely got excited. I love both bands. I knew that when you have two powerhouse punk bands coming together to drop a split, nothing could go wrong. While one of the bands, Pulley, is a household name in the punk community, the other is on the rise. I guarantee you know the … Read more
xNullifyx
xNullifyx
New Morality Zine (2025)
I love almost all genres of music, but hardcore has always been towards the top for me. I love the intensity, the passion, and typically the message that is conveyed. I grew up listening to bands on such record labels as Revelation, Victory, Indecision, New Age and many more that were groundbreaking. Due to that influence in my younger years, … Read more
ZEPHR
Past Lives
Dumb Ghost, Snappy Little Numbers (2025)
Sometimes you can just hear the passion in a voice. ZEPHR is one of those bands. They defy convention a little bit, in that I associate gravelly voices with harsher, heavier sounds, but ZEPHR use sore-throat vocals to great effect with midtempo, emotional and melodic 3-chord chugging punk rock and some DC sound. In few words, it's raw, both musically … Read more
