Review / 200 Words Or Less
Radio War
The Rising of the Talentless

Copper Lung (2008) Michael

Radio War – The Rising of the Talentless cover artwork
Radio War – The Rising of the Talentless — Copper Lung, 2008

Richmond has always had an impressive hardcore scene, so it's no surprise to hear good things from the city in Radio War. The Rising of the Talentless is the band's first label release and the second for upstart Copper Lung Records.

This 7" comes packed with four tracks of gritty and groove-heavy hardcore punk. "The Boy Gangs of Richmond" is a nice building number that demonstrates that a hardcore band can show some restraint and still capture the intensity of aggressive music. Radio War chugs through this EP with a concoction of metallic hardcore, also showing hints of influence from d-beat mainstays Tragedy. Lyrically, the songs mostly focus on discussing sociological issues. Overall, a solid band that I'm looking forward to hearing more from.

P.S. I can't believe they named a song "Gizmo Duck." I love Duck Tales.

7.5 / 10Michael • April 21, 2008

Radio War – The Rising of the Talentless cover artwork
Radio War – The Rising of the Talentless — Copper Lung, 2008

Related news

Copper Lung Signs Radio War

Posted in Labels on November 2, 2007

Recently-posted album reviews

Big Circle

Big Circle
Independent (2026)

There are plenty of supergroups that exist largely because of the names on the marquee. Big Circle feels different. While Glenn Mercer (The Feelies), Mike Watt (Minutemen, fIREHOSE), Dave Weckerman (The Feelies), and Dan Francia (Speed the Plough) all bring decades of musical history to the table, this debut EP isn't interested in nostalgia or individual spotlights. Instead, it succeeds … Read more

Nocturnal Prose

Western Interests
Total Agency (2026)

I’ve been reading Cory Doctorow’s latest book “The Reverse Centaur’s Guide to Life After AI” a scathing review of the current state of artificial intelligence wherein he seeks to pop the AI bubble. In the book’s central metaphor Doctorow identifies the centaur as someone whose work is improved upon by technology vs the reverse centaurs who are competing with and/or … Read more

Kyle Burnett

Glory Days
Syrup Moose Records (2026)

There’s a form of folk punk that treats every song like a drunken campfire confession with all its ragged shouting and romanticized self-destruction. Then there’s the version that feels mature and more reflective. It’s less interested in glorifying collapse and more concerned with figuring out what comes after it. Kyle Burnett’s Glory Days firmly belongs to the latter category. Best … Read more