Search results for "michael"
All reviews by Michael
589 total results found
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Reviews
Another Breath – The God Complex
Posted March 1, 2010, 8:26 a.m.
Its been quite some time since Another Breath released Mill City. Granted it has only been a few years, but in hardcore that means an ... read more
Reviews
The Get Up Kids – Something to Write Home About (Reissue)
Posted Dec. 16, 2009, 10:46 p.m.
The release of The Get Up Kids debut full-length Four Minute Mile is something that I recall with the greatest of ease. My sister won ... read more
Reviews
Doomriders – Darkness Come Alive
Posted Dec. 14, 2009, 7:45 a.m.
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 ... read more
Reviews
Foundation – Hang Your Head
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 8:36 a.m.
I grew up on 90s hardcore, so when I hear new bands drawing influence from that era I get excited. Atlantas Foundation does just that ... read more
Reviews
TV Crimes – Demo
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 8:34 a.m.
I take pride in my local hardcore scene. I try to make it out to as many shows as I can, support friends in bands ... read more
Reviews
Like Wolves – Paths
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 8:16 a.m.
Paths is the second 7 release from Rochesters Like Wolves. I really enjoyed their demo 7, but this is even better, showing immense promise for ... read more
Reviews
Troublemaker – Sons of No One
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 8:14 a.m.
New Jerseys Troublemaker (not to be confused with the Westcoast one) bring forth seven new songs on their Sons of No One 7. The band ... read more
Reviews
Damages – Scars
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 8:11 a.m.
About this time last year I received a 7 from a band named All Through a Life. That 7 contained a welcome surprise of D.C. ... read more
Reviews
Stressed Out / Rip it Up – Split
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 8:10 a.m.
Self-released split 7s are a rarity these days. This one features two bands from the state of New Jersey with both bands offering their take ... read more
Reviews
Fake Problems / Ninja Gun – Split
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 8:07 a.m.
This split 7 from Sabot teams up two punk sensations for one exclusive track each. Fake Problems offer up The Manliest Man of All Men, ... read more
Reviews
End of All – Places
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 8:05 a.m.
Sweden is a country known for its thrash and death metal bands. End of Alls name had me thinking of End This Day. And since ... read more
Reviews
Monument to Thieves – Anyone but You
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 8:04 a.m.
Monument to Thieves is the title of the second full-length from His Hero is Gone. After listening to this 7 I found faint influence from ... read more
Reviews
Sakes Alive!! – Act II
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 8:01 a.m.
Act II is the second in a series of three 7 to come from Sakes Alive!! and this one picks up where the hardcore group ... read more
Reviews
Northern Towns – Good as Gold
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 8 a.m.
Northern Towns is a new San Diego outfit that features former members of Over My Dead Body and Please Mr. Gravedigger. Before you get excited ... read more
Reviews
Ancient Sky – Ancient Sky
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 7:57 a.m.
Ancient Sky is a fairly new group of individuals with impressive musical resumes with members having performed in City of Caterpillar, Darkest Hour, and Majority ... read more
Reviews
The Taxpayers – A Rhythm in the Cages
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 7:55 a.m.
The Taxpayers are a three-piece punk outfit from Portland, OR. A Rhythm in the Cages is their second full-length, with twelve songs that run the ... read more
Reviews
Litany for the Whale – Dolores
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 7:53 a.m.
John Cage was an avant-garde composer, poet, music theorist, artist, printmaker, etc. that was popular in the early part of the 20th century. Litany for ... read more
Reviews
MGR y Destructo Swarmbots – Amigos de la Guitarra
Posted Dec. 10, 2009, 7:51 a.m.
Amigos de la Guitarra is a collaborative effort from MGR - the solo project of Mike Gallagher of Isis - and Destructo Swarmbots Mike Mare. ... read more
Reviews
Rot in Hell – Hallways of the Always
Posted Dec. 1, 2009, 4:01 p.m.
If youre not familiar with Rot in Hell, then this collection of recordings is a great place to start. Hallways of the Always compiles all ... read more
Reviews
Advent – Naked and Cold
Posted Nov. 12, 2009, 2:18 a.m.
Beloved was a band that I never really got into. I gave them a chance, but to me, they were just another band in the ... read more
Reviews
This Time Next Year – Road Maps and Heart Attacks
Posted Nov. 8, 2009, 8:19 p.m.
The term pop-punk has been tarnished and dragged through the mud quite a bit thanks to the surge of boy bands disguising themselves as pop-punk ... read more
Reviews
Keelhaul – Keelhaul's Triumphant Return to Obscurity
Posted Nov. 5, 2009, 12:46 a.m.
Its been five years since Cleveland-based Keelhaul last graced us with Subject to Change Without Notice. In that time a lot has transpired, and not ... read more
Reviews
Sunny Day Real Estate – Diary / LP2 (Reissues)
Posted Oct. 30, 2009, 12:17 a.m.
When it comes to album reissues, it is actually a much more difficult task to write a fair and unbiased review than you might think, ... read more
Reviews
Rise and Fall – Our Circle is Vicious
Posted Oct. 27, 2009, 2:35 a.m.
Progression in music is never an easy thing to accomplish without getting mixed reactions; the hardcore community seems to be especially critical. Youre always going ... read more
Reviews
Folsom – Hammer Lane
Posted Oct. 26, 2009, 3:39 a.m.
Since hitting the scene with a monstrous demo, Folsom have kept themselves busy with a full-length, couple of EP releases, and sporadic touring. The Las ... read more
Reviews
Converge – Axe to Fall
Posted Oct. 19, 2009, 3:44 p.m.
As they approach twenty years as a band, taking a look back at what Converge has accomplished throughout their career span would be a fairly ... read more
Reviews
Lewd Acts – Black Eye Blues
Posted Oct. 19, 2009, 3:34 p.m.
Lewd Acts finally release their debut full-length in the form of Black Eye Blues. And with their first long-player, the San Diego outfit makes good ... read more
Reviews
Nightmare of You – Infomaniac
Posted Oct. 16, 2009, 12:17 a.m.
With the release of their self-titled debut in 2005 Nightmare of You made it a point to distance themselves from their post-The Movielife buzz and ... read more
Reviews
Soul Control – Cycles
Posted Oct. 13, 2009, 10:51 a.m.
Cycles marks a couple of firsts for Soul Control. After a slew of releases (an EP, a split 7, a comprehensive CD release also featuring ... read more
Reviews
Dead Swans – Sleepwalkers
Posted Sept. 28, 2009, 7:36 p.m.
Dead Swans is the U.K. hardcore circuits latest export to reach American soil, currently being championed by the folks over at Bridge Nine Records. Sleepwalkers ... read more
Reviews
Polar Bear Club – Chasing Hamburg
Posted Sept. 22, 2009, 4:02 a.m.
Polar Bear Club is essentially the musical version of the story, The Little Engine that Could. Here we have a band, that started out merely ... read more
Reviews
Andrew W.K. – 55 Cadillac
Posted Sept. 18, 2009, 12:02 a.m.
If I were to comprise a short list of individuals that I would love to sit down and just have an open-ended conversation with, Andrew ... read more
Reviews
True Colors – Rush of Hope
Posted Sept. 16, 2009, 8:37 p.m.
The European hardcore scene has always fascinated me, and for many reasons. But perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the world of hardcore on the ... read more
Reviews
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead – The Century of Self
Posted Sept. 8, 2009, 4 p.m.
Texas rockers ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead return with their sixth full-length effort, The Century of Self. The bands newest ... read more
Reviews
Death Before Dishonor – Better Ways to Die
Posted Sept. 7, 2009, 1:16 a.m.
Boston natives Death Before Dishonor really broke through with their 2007 full-length Count Me In. Like its predecessors, it featured a punishing assault of metallic ... read more
Reviews
This is Hell – Warbirds
Posted Sept. 3, 2009, 10:08 p.m.
Long Island natives This is Hell have been going full-force since their formation in 2004. There has been an endless stream of releases - a ... read more
Reviews
The Catalyst – Swallow Your Teeth
Posted Sept. 1, 2009, 11:24 p.m.
Its hard to believe that Richmond, Virginia natives The Catalyst are only releasing their first full-length record in the form of Swallow Your Teeth. But ... read more
Reviews
City of Ships – Look What God Did to Us
Posted Aug. 31, 2009, 12:59 a.m.
Occasionally, a member of the staff at Scene Point Blank will write a piece on an artist of which Im not entirely familiar. As a ... read more
Reviews
Mellowdrone – Angry Bear
Posted Aug. 28, 2009, 2:53 a.m.
Los Angeles by way of Boston by way of Miami by way of Venezuela, Mellowdrone return with a second full-length recording in a career that ... read more
Reviews
We'll Go Machete – We'll Go Machete
Posted Aug. 26, 2009, 11:19 p.m.
Austin, Texas natives Well Go Machete offer six songs on their debut EP, released through indie label Cedar Fever Records, also based in Austin. It ... read more
Reviews
A Kid Named Thompson / Altus – Split
Posted Aug. 26, 2009, 11:17 p.m.
Two newcomers from Texas team up for a split 7 release. You get one track each, generally falling within the bounds of the indie music ... read more
Reviews
No Harm Done / Offsides – Split
Posted Aug. 26, 2009, 11:15 p.m.
Seafoam Recordings teams up No Harm Done from Florida and Offsides from Connecticut on this limited edition split 7. The a-side features the final three ... read more
Reviews
¡Apeshit! – Cavalier Activity
Posted Aug. 26, 2009, 11:12 p.m.
Two years back I reviewed ¡Apeshit!s self-titled demo. The record contained thirteen songs in just about eleven minutes. This 7 EP - which the band ... read more
Reviews
All Leather – Hung Like a Horse
Posted Aug. 26, 2009, 11:09 p.m.
With the demise of Some Girls and the considerable downtime of The Locust, Justin Pearson got the itch to do something new. He teamed up ... read more
Reviews
Half Hearted Hero – Defining. Refining.
Posted Aug. 26, 2009, 11:06 p.m.
Massachusetts is obviously more well known for its metal and hardcore scenes, but theyve also got a pretty substantial stream of pop-punk bands churning out ... read more
Reviews
Outrage – Broken
Posted Aug. 24, 2009, 9:01 p.m.
Massachusetts has been a bastion for hardcore throughout the years, and 2009 isnt any different. Outrage bring forth their debut full-length, Broken, which follows up ... read more
Reviews
Wolves & Thieves – Wolves & Thieves
Posted Aug. 20, 2009, 8:48 p.m.
I talk about the Bay Area hardcore scene a lot. Okay, maybe a little more than a lot. But it is a quality scene, so ... read more
Reviews
Title Fight – The Last Thing You Forget
Posted Aug. 19, 2009, 11:56 p.m.
Pennsylvania natives Title Fight return with a collection of new and old on The Last Thing You Forget. This 7 contains three brand new cuts ... read more
Reviews
The Killer – Not All Who are Lost...
Posted Aug. 17, 2009, 3:31 p.m.
A few months back I spent a weekend in Chicago for the Burning Fight book release show. Granted this wasnt an exclusively Chicago hardcore event ... read more
Reviews
Withdrawal – Unknown Misery
Posted Aug. 16, 2009, 10:48 p.m.
Sometimes a band digs its claws into your very essence. This band refuses to let go, and only deepens its grip as times passes. Since ... read more
Reviews
Broadway Calls – Good Views, Bad News
Posted Aug. 10, 2009, 7:48 a.m.
It has been two years since Broadway Calls last graced us with a full-length release. But in that time the band has been keeping busy. ... read more
Reviews
Constants – The Foundation, The Machine, The Ascension
Posted Aug. 5, 2009, 8:54 p.m.
Boston-based shoe-gazing space-rockers Constants return with their second full-length and follow-up to 2006s The Murder of Tom Fitzgerril EP. With The Foundation, The Machine, The ... read more
Reviews
Iron Age – The Sleeping Eye
Posted Aug. 3, 2009, 9:36 p.m.
Texas natives Iron Age return with their second long-player, The Sleeping Eye, after making quite a name for themselves with 2006s Constant Struggle. The bands ... read more
Reviews
Unholy – New Life Behind Closed Eyes
Posted Aug. 2, 2009, 10:57 p.m.
Unholy returns with a brand new full-length effort, and with it comes a number of new beginnings. First off, the band has seen a major ... read more
Reviews
At Our Heels – At Our Heels
Posted July 29, 2009, 5:01 p.m.
At Our Heels is yet another in the ever growing list of bands to emerge from the Bay Areas excellent hardcore scene. Alex Pulisci began ... read more
Reviews
Tigers Jaw – Spirit Desire
Posted July 29, 2009, 4:59 p.m.
Scranton, PAs Tigers Jaw has really captivated listeners since releasing their second full-length album last year. Sure, they released their first full-length two years prior, ... read more
Reviews
Strangers – Night Minutes
Posted July 29, 2009, 4:57 p.m.
Night Minutes is the latest release from New Zealands Strangers. The group made quite a splash with their 2007 debut, Holding., and the subsequent full-length, ... read more
Reviews
In the Hollows – In the Hollows
Posted July 29, 2009, 4:54 p.m.
The pedigree of Baltimore-based In the Hollows is impressive, featuring members of Champion, Pulling Teeth, and Ruiner. The group offers up their debut release, a ... read more
Reviews
The Recluse – Summer Showers
Posted July 29, 2009, 4:53 p.m.
Summer Showers is my first exposure to Alabama group The Recluse. I swore I heard their name before, in fact I think I saw them ... read more
Reviews
Masakari – Eden Compromised
Posted July 29, 2009, 4:50 p.m.
After one listen to Eden Compromised, its not surprising to find that Masakari take their name from a battle-axe used in ancient Japan. The four ... read more
Reviews
Oak & Bone – Oak & Bone
Posted July 29, 2009, 4:48 p.m.
Oak and Bone hail from upstate New York, but when you listen to their debut 7 you would definitely not assume that by any guess. ... read more
Reviews
Higher Giant – The First Five
Posted July 29, 2009, 4:46 p.m.
Kid Dynamite. Grey Area. Paint it Black. Lifetime. Warzone. Yeah, these guys were in more than just a few quality bands over the past years. ... read more
Reviews
Mirrors and Wires – Colourized Audio Transmission
Posted July 29, 2009, 4:44 p.m.
Well. Colourized Audio Transmission from Mirrors and Wires is the most random album that Ive received to review thus far this year. Released on Headcount ... read more
Reviews
Zhenia Golov / Botox Party – Split
Posted July 29, 2009, 4:43 p.m.
Railroaded Records teams up two Eastcoast acts on this limited split 7 release: Zhenia Golov from New Brunswick, New Jersey and Botox Party from Richmond, ... read more
Reviews
Adams Dagger – The Ripper
Posted July 29, 2009, 4:41 p.m.
Adams Dagger - California by way of Florida. This reminds of the 80s hardcore scene when bands moved from all over to California or New ... read more
Reviews
Child Bite / This Moment In Black History – Split
Posted July 29, 2009, 4:39 p.m.
A couple of the rust-belt cities connect themselves through this new split 7 release. Detroits Child Bite and Clevelands This Moment in Black History each ... read more
Reviews
Pelican – Ephemeral
Posted July 27, 2009, 4:55 p.m.
Ill be honest. I hadnt really listened to Pelican all that much since City of Echoes was released in 2007. In fact, I think I ... read more
Reviews
The Mars Volta – Octahedron
Posted July 23, 2009, 5:03 p.m.
Throughout their eight-year tenure as a band, The Mars Volta has never been timid about doing whatever they please. The collaborative duo that is The ... read more
Reviews
Minute of Arc – Future Forests
Posted July 22, 2009, 12:50 a.m.
People make it a point to search far and wide for new music. Im not against this by any means; Ive found many quality bands ... read more
Reviews
Skin Like Iron – All Human Failings
Posted July 20, 2009, 7:39 a.m.
Never wasting a moment, the Bay Areas Skin Like Iron has brought forth yet another new recording with this seven-track 12 EP. All Human Failings ... read more
Reviews
All Teeth – I am Losing
Posted July 12, 2009, 9:30 p.m.
Every so often you hear a record and it instantaneously floors you. All Teeths debut full-length I Am Losing is one of those records. The ... read more
Reviews
Sabertooth Zombie – And Your Fathers are Dead in the Ground
Posted July 7, 2009, 2:56 a.m.
Californias most intriguing current hardcore outfit, Sabertooth Zombie, returns with their latest full-length effort. Since theyve last released Midnight Venom in 2006, the group has ... read more
Reviews
Oceans – Nothing Collapses
Posted July 2, 2009, 4:24 p.m.
Chicago natives Oceans offer up nine tracks with sixty minutes worth of music on their debut effort. The five-piece maintain a post-rock inspired craft throughout ... read more
Reviews
Outbreak – Work to Death
Posted June 30, 2009, 4:59 a.m.
Ill be honest here. I was never a huge Outbreak fan. You Make Us Sick was fairly decent, but I was never really sold on ... read more
Reviews
The Reed Sea – No Help
Posted June 30, 2009, 4:56 a.m.
Hailing from Oregon, this four-piece outfit has brought forth a four-song EP titled No Help. The title of the EP is fitting as the band ... read more
Reviews
Man Overboard – Hung Up on Nothing
Posted June 30, 2009, 4:54 a.m.
Man Overboard is the latest bubble-gum pop-punk band to come around, joining the existing one hundred thousand others. This four-piece hails from New Jersey, and ... read more
Reviews
Disappearer – The Clearing
Posted June 28, 2009, 3:44 p.m.
Massachusetts-based Disappearer returns with their long-awaited second release. The Clearing marks the bands first full-length effort, which follows up the bands 2006s self-titled EP release ... read more
Reviews
Pulling Teeth – Paranoid Delusions | Paradise Illusions
Posted June 22, 2009, 2:10 p.m.
Pulling Teeth continues to be an extremely active and productive group - touring the world and releasing three full-lengths and several singles since their inception. ... read more
Reviews
Transit – Stay Home
Posted June 17, 2009, 3:29 p.m.
Just as a clock comes full circle, so does the music world. Every couple of years the music cycle rotates back around from a previous ... read more
Reviews
Skeletons with Flesh on Them – All the Other Animals
Posted June 8, 2009, 12:37 a.m.
Im about to sell five copies of All the Other Animals by Skeletons with Flesh on Them. I can totally picture some chap that works ... read more
Reviews
My Heart to Joy – Seasons in Verse
Posted May 31, 2009, 11:53 p.m.
Seasons in Verse is the debut full-length from Connecticuts My Heart to Joy. The bands first long player is the follow-up to the bands most ... read more
Reviews
Casting Curses – Heartificial
Posted May 27, 2009, 12:57 a.m.
Heartificial is a two-song EP from Upstate New Yorks Casting Curses. This five-piece hardcore outfit delivers an impact statement in just two songs, something that ... read more
Reviews
Gray Ghost – Deep in the Shallow End
Posted May 27, 2009, 12:55 a.m.
Atlanta-based outfit Gray Ghost return with their debut full-length. Following up their self-titled EP from last year, the band continues to evolve their sound. Still ... read more
Reviews
Dark Days – How Have We Done This
Posted May 27, 2009, 12:53 a.m.
Dark Days is a new band from the Bay Area of California and this is their five-song demo recording. It was printed on both cassette ... read more
Reviews
Iron Rain – Demo
Posted May 27, 2009, 12:51 a.m.
I got this demo while I was in Chicago recently. This one was being given away outside of a show. Normally when bands do this, ... read more
Reviews
Nowhere Bound – Demo
Posted May 27, 2009, 12:49 a.m.
Nowhere Bound is a new hardcore band from the Chicago area and this is their four-song demo. Theyve got an Eastcoast flavor going on over ... read more
Reviews
Arms Aloft – Comfort at Any Cost
Posted May 27, 2009, 12:48 a.m.
Hailing from Wisconsin, Arms Aloft are quite a surprise with their 7 debut Comfort at Any Cost. This four-song EP follows up a demo recording ... read more
Reviews
Hope Lane is a Dead End – Illuminate
Posted May 27, 2009, 12:46 a.m.
Metalcore has been an interesting genre over the years. Initially bands like Integrity, Earth Crisis, and Unbroken were labeled as metalcore for their metal influences ... read more
Reviews
Heads Held High – So Say We All
Posted May 27, 2009, 12:44 a.m.
So Say We All is the full-length debut from Clevelanders Heads Held High. These five gentlemen have been kicking around in the city for a ... read more
Reviews
Narrows – New Distances
Posted May 24, 2009, 11:46 p.m.
Narrows return to the musical fold with their debut full-length and follow-up to last years very impressive self-titled EP. Like many others, when news of ... read more
Reviews
Capital – Blind Faith
Posted May 12, 2009, 12:33 a.m.
Tommy Corrigan does no wrong. Silent Majority was an amazing and completely underrated band. Blood Red was an outstanding and original sounding group. And his ... read more
Reviews
Deathright – The Collapse
Posted April 29, 2009, 8:57 p.m.
In spite of its low profile, the Pittsburgh hardcore scene is one of the better currently running, consistently churning out outstanding and original bands. Because ... read more
Reviews
Last Lights – No Past No Present No Future
Posted April 27, 2009, 10:06 a.m.
So often music defines our lives. We hear a song at a moment in our lives that no matter where we are from then on, ... read more
Reviews
Let Me Run – Meet Me at the Bottom
Posted April 17, 2009, 2:43 a.m.
Hailing from New Jersey, Let Me Run is the latest in a series of bands walking the line between the punk, rock and roll, and ... read more
Reviews
Past Lives – Strange Symmetry
Posted April 13, 2009, 12:28 a.m.
The hiatus and eventual breakup of The Blood Brothers in 2007 left many of their fans heartbroken. But honestly, with as many musical outlets as ... read more
Reviews
Steel Nation / Crucified – Split
Posted April 3, 2009, 1:19 a.m.
Two very promising bands take on each other with this split 7": Steel Nation hailing from Pittsburgh while Crucified call the Bay Area home. Both ... read more
Reviews
These Arms are Snakes / Tropics – Split
Posted April 3, 2009, 1:15 a.m.
Here we have another limited edition split 7", this one that was issued in support of These Arms are Snakes and Tropics European tour together. ... read more
Reviews
Various Artists – Mass vs. Cali
Posted April 3, 2009, 1:12 a.m.
This 7 compilation partners two Massachusetts bands on one side and two California bands on the other side. Each band contributes one track each; with ... read more
Reviews
Until Your Heart Stops – We are not Coming Down
Posted April 3, 2009, 1:10 a.m.
The Bay Area of California was one of the original breeding grounds for hardcore not to mention a hot bed as of late - ... read more
Reviews
Caleb Lionheart – Think Hardcore, Play Pop Punk
Posted April 3, 2009, 1:08 a.m.
New York outfit Caleb Lionhearts first proper offering Think Hardcore, Play Pop Punk is a bit of an odd title. Thankfully, the band does not ... read more
Reviews
Morrissey – Years of Refusal
Posted March 30, 2009, 1:53 a.m.
How does one introduce Morrissey? By no means am I intending to put the seasoned vocalist on a pedestal of godlike caliber its just that, ... read more
Reviews
New Found Glory – Not Without a Fight
Posted March 24, 2009, 4:49 p.m.
Over their twelve years together as a band New Found Glory has pretty much encountered it all. They started at the beginning on a fledgling ... read more
Reviews
The Wonder Years / All or Nothing – Distances
Posted March 18, 2009, 3:39 p.m.
The glorious split 7 - how I love thee. Whats this? Two bands from opposite sides of the Atlantic? Even better! There is something strangely ... read more
Reviews
Thou – Tyrant (Reissue)
Posted March 18, 2009, 3:36 p.m.
Hailing from Louisiana, its not a surprise that Thou offer up grimy metal/doom on Tyrant. With fellow bruisers like Eyehategod, Crowbar, and Down before them, ... read more
Reviews
Wunami – Pointless
Posted March 18, 2009, 3:33 p.m.
Wunami is a fairly young group from southern California. While I mostly associate this region with its volatile hardcore history, Wunami is about the furthest ... read more
Reviews
I Call Fives – First Things First
Posted March 18, 2009, 3:31 p.m.
New Jersey natives I Call Fives offer up a style of pop-punk that have become increasingly popular in the past couple of years. You know ... read more
Reviews
Oddateee – Halfway Homeless
Posted March 18, 2009, 3:28 p.m.
Oddateee is the first artist signed to Däleks Deadverse Recordings label. As a result of this I instantly knew the music, lyrics, and delivery would ... read more
Reviews
Final Fight – Half Head, Full Shred
Posted March 16, 2009, 4:07 p.m.
Final Fight finally return with their second full-length. After releasing the acclaimed Under Attack in 2005 the band signed to Deathwish Inc. with promises of ... read more
Reviews
Memorial – The Creative Process/Berlin
Posted March 12, 2009, 2:05 a.m.
Some of you may recall a band by the name of Renee Heartfelt. They were a fairly short-lived group that released an EP and a ... read more
Reviews
Killing Kings – ...The One You Feed the Most
Posted Feb. 26, 2009, 8:27 p.m.
Killing Kings 2007 release Delusions of Grandeur was an under appreciated gem of 90s inspired hardcore. It was equally as destructive as it was thought ... read more
Reviews
Above this Fire – Last Ones
Posted Feb. 23, 2009, 12:23 a.m.
Its been over three years since Above this Fire released their debut full-length, In Perspective. Since that recording the band has grown immensely as songwriters, ... read more
Reviews
Ramming Speed – Brainwreck
Posted Feb. 18, 2009, 10:59 p.m.
Boston-based Ramming Speed burst onto the scene with their debut 7 in 2007. The EP followed suit of the crossover/thrash revival that had recently begun ... read more
Reviews
Mouthpiece – Can't Kill What's Inside: The Complete Discography
Posted Feb. 18, 2009, 12:23 a.m.
There are many names - bands, labels, zines, promoters, etc. - that instantly come to mind when one brings up the 90s hardcore scene. Groups ... read more
Reviews
This Will Destroy You / Lymbyc Systym – Field Studies
Posted Feb. 17, 2009, 12:55 a.m.
Split recordings are almost always unique projects in some aspect or manner; I particularly enjoy them when there is an artist involved that Im not ... read more
Reviews
Lords – Fuck All Y'all Motherfuckers
Posted Feb. 9, 2009, 8:29 p.m.
Its been an interesting road for Lords since their formation by Chris Owens about five years ago. Initially boasting members of underrated The National Acrobat ... read more
Reviews
Energy – Invasions of the Mind
Posted Feb. 8, 2009, 11:45 p.m.
Massachusetts Energy is a band that showed great promise with the 2007 EP Punch the Clock. The bands fusion of the classic punk sounds of ... read more
Reviews
Sakes Alive!! – Act I
Posted Feb. 1, 2009, 9:50 p.m.
Rochester, NY hardcore/punk outfit follow-up their impressive debut EP/demo with a series of 7 releases. Act I is the first in said series and features ... read more
Reviews
Bitter End – Bitter End
Posted Feb. 1, 2009, 9:48 p.m.
Texas hardcore powerhouse Bitter End return with a brand new 7 EP. You get two brand new cuts of punishing New York-flavored hardcore on this ... read more
Reviews
Like Wolves – Like Wolves
Posted Feb. 1, 2009, 9:46 p.m.
Like Wolves is the latest product from the upstate regions of New York - Rochester/Buffalo/Syracuse. This record is the bands demo recording pressed on a ... read more
Reviews
Eyes Averted – Eyes Averted
Posted Feb. 1, 2009, 9:44 p.m.
Eyes Averted return with a four-song EP that the band is once again self-releasing, something theyre used to after self-releasing their debut album back in ... read more
Reviews
Murder Practice – Prophecies of Doom
Posted Feb. 1, 2009, 9:42 p.m.
Bay Area stalwarts Murder Practice return with their second full-length, this time theyve abandoned the world of plastic and CDs for vinyl (each record comes ... read more
Reviews
Gray Ghost – Gray Ghost
Posted Feb. 1, 2009, 9:40 p.m.
Copper Lung Records strikes with another great find in Atlanta, GAs Gray Ghost. The five-some melds together atmospheric post-rock, meandering drone-metal, and dissonant hardcore on ... read more
Reviews
Caestles – We Have Built a New God
Posted Feb. 1, 2009, 9:38 p.m.
Caestles is a six-person conglomeration of two bands that have fused together to form one entity. And when you listen to the bands self-released EP, ... read more
Reviews
Timber – 2008
Posted Feb. 1, 2009, 9:36 p.m.
Hailing from Maryland, Timber is a hardcore outfit that plays an interesting style of the genre that reaches beyond the typical sounds associated with the ... read more
Reviews
Bad Lovers – Four Bad Lovers Sitting in a Tree
Posted Feb. 1, 2009, 9:34 p.m.
Bad Lovers is a new project from members of Restrained. This Los Angeles-based punk outfit offers four songs on their demo recording. Musically, I am ... read more
Reviews
Unreal City – Ephemeral Subsistence
Posted Jan. 26, 2009, 12:20 a.m.
Cities like Boston, San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles get a lot of attention when it comes to hardcore. And its not that it ... read more
Reviews
Dead Vows – Bad Blood
Posted Jan. 26, 2009, 12:14 a.m.
Bad Blood is the debut effort from Swedish hardcore outfit Dead Vows. This release is my first exposure to the band, though I am familiar ... read more
Reviews
Smartbomb – Diamond Heist
Posted Jan. 14, 2009, 12:17 a.m.
Smartbomb return with their debut full-length, Diamond Heist, following the quite promising debut EP Chaos and Lawlessness. The bands first long-player is packed with more ... read more
Reviews
Beck – Modern Guilt
Posted Jan. 8, 2009, 9:04 p.m.
Beck has been releasing music for going on twenty years now. Since his first release, the multi-talented musician and songwriter has been labeled everything from ... read more
Reviews
Intronaut – Prehistoricisms
Posted Jan. 1, 2009, 9:05 p.m.
Every so often you just want a metal album that is that, a metal album. Well here we have just that with the latest full-length ... read more
Reviews
Conor Oberst – Conor Oberst
Posted Dec. 31, 2008, 10:36 p.m.
Its rather interesting that Ive found the work of Bright Eyes to be wholly underwhelming since the release of Fevers and Mirrors back in 2000. ... read more
Reviews
Perth Express – Harrowed and Wealdstone
Posted Dec. 22, 2008, 12:30 p.m.
Harrowed and Wealdstone marks the final recordings from German bruisers Perth Express. Its quite a shame that the band decided to call it a day ... read more
Reviews
Unchained – Dark Days
Posted Dec. 22, 2008, 12:28 p.m.
Unchained is a five-piece of youngsters from the Bay Area of California. This release is a four-song demo EP titled Dark Days. On these four ... read more
Reviews
Pristina – Khe Sanh
Posted Dec. 22, 2008, 12:26 p.m.
Pristina is a metal/hardcore outfit from Connecticut. The arrival of their latest EP, Khe Sanh, to my doorstep was a pleasant surprise, one that was ... read more
Reviews
Primal Age – A Hell Romance
Posted Dec. 22, 2008, 12:25 p.m.
A Hell Romance is my first exposure to French metal/hardcore hybrid Primal Age. Prior to this release theyve knocked out a few other recordings, garnering ... read more
Reviews
Out to Sea – Mouth Like a Sailor
Posted Dec. 22, 2008, 12:23 p.m.
Hailing from outside of Dallas, this Texas hardcore outfit delivers six tracks of premium melodic hardcore with a slightly metallic edge. Musically their sound reminds ... read more
Reviews
You Lose! – All In
Posted Dec. 22, 2008, 12:22 p.m.
I guarantee of two things after you listen to All In from You Lose! First off, youll never guess this band is from France. Secondly, ... read more
Reviews
Common Market – Tobacco Road
Posted Dec. 22, 2008, 12:20 p.m.
Common Market is an alternative hip-hop duo from the Pacific Northwest. The group also has another LP and an EP prior to Tobacco Road. This ... read more
Reviews
The Franklin Cover Up – Commercial
Posted Dec. 22, 2008, 12:17 p.m.
On first glance The Franklin Cover Ups name may appear silly. But upon further investigation - a child prostitution ring involving several former U.S. government ... read more
Reviews
Don the Reader – Humanesque
Posted Dec. 22, 2008, 12:14 p.m.
Don the Reader is a new band to me; I was not aware of them until this album - apparently they have a previous EP ... read more
Reviews
United Nations – United Nations
Posted Dec. 16, 2008, 12:24 a.m.
The initial suggestions of United Nations falling under the grindcore, powerviolence, and traditional screamo umbrellas may have created unrealistic expectations for some music lovers. However, ... read more
Reviews
Last Lights – Last Lights
Posted Dec. 8, 2008, 2:02 p.m.
Last week I completed a short review of this 7 from Last Lights to be posted on the site. It was short and to the ... read more
Reviews
Terror – The Damned, The Shamed
Posted Dec. 4, 2008, 4:13 a.m.
Since forming in the year 2000, Terror has been unleashing a punishing assault of metallic hardcore punk to the masses. From the get-go with their ... read more
Reviews
Zozobra – Bird of Prey
Posted Dec. 1, 2008, 8:38 p.m.
Originally planned as a whole other project of Caleb Scofield under the moniker Heatseeker, Bird of Prey is instead the second full-length release from the ... read more
Reviews
Suicide Note – Empty Rooms
Posted Nov. 25, 2008, 1:11 a.m.
Some things just get better with age. Suicide Note is one of those things. As the band has progressed over the past ten years they ... read more
Reviews
Overcast – Reborn to Kill Again
Posted Nov. 17, 2008, 11:04 p.m.
I would say ninety percent of the fans of the current bands (Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage, Seemless) that the members of Overcast are in werent ... read more
Reviews
Thursday / Envy – Split
Posted Nov. 16, 2008, 9:13 p.m.
The pairing of a so-called emo band from New Jersey and a screamo/post-rock band from Japan may seem odd. But for those well versed in ... read more
Reviews
Decades – Numbered
Posted Oct. 28, 2008, 10:04 p.m.
Ah yes, Texas hardcore. In spite of the recent loss of many of its key bands, the various scenes within Texas continue to strike back ... read more
Reviews
The Gaslight Anthem – The '59 Sound
Posted Oct. 19, 2008, 11:10 p.m.
Make no assumptions about it, The Gaslight Anthem are one of the best active rock and roll bands. You can argue over whether they are ... read more
Reviews
Grace Alley / Skin Like Iron – Quake City
Posted Oct. 14, 2008, 11:19 p.m.
We all know how much I love the Bay Area music scene, so its really no surprise Im loving this split 7 from Grace Alley ... read more
Reviews
Heavy Hearted – Heavy Hearted
Posted Oct. 14, 2008, 11:16 p.m.
Heavy Hearted is based out of Rochester, NY. Its been quite some time since Ive heard anything new from that area of the state. But, ... read more
Reviews
Creatures – Creatures
Posted Oct. 14, 2008, 11:14 p.m.
Orange County was a breeding ground for hardcore in the early 80s. While many might suggest that the scene there has died off, they couldnt ... read more
Reviews
Wraith – Wraith
Posted Oct. 14, 2008, 11:13 p.m.
Wraith is the latest U.K. export to hit my doorstep. Following on solid releases from Rot in Hell, Deal With It, and Dirty Money, the ... read more
Reviews
All Through a Life – All Through a Life
Posted Oct. 14, 2008, 11:11 p.m.
Unsolicited review materials are either one of two things: great surprises or extreme disappointments. Vancouver, British Columbia natives All Through a Life is of the ... read more
Reviews
Resonance – Transfuse
Posted Oct. 14, 2008, 11:09 p.m.
Now defunct Virginia Beach outfit Resonance sees their two demos put to wax on this 12 affair. Transfuse boasts ten tracks of hardcore that is ... read more
Reviews
In First Person / Storm the Bastille – Split
Posted Oct. 14, 2008, 11:06 p.m.
In First Person from New Jersey starts off the a-side with their dissonant and pummeling metallic hardcore sound. The bands highly concentrated and volatile sound ... read more
Reviews
Ghostlimb – Bearing and Distance
Posted Oct. 14, 2008, 11:04 p.m.
Ghostlimb is a project spearheaded by Justin Smith of Graf Orlock. Bearing and Distance is the bands second full-length release and first for Level Plane ... read more
Reviews
O Pioneers!!! / The Anchor – Split
Posted Oct. 14, 2008, 11:02 p.m.
The great state of Texas offers up two songs a piece from O Pioneers!!! and The Anchor. In the works for over a year, this ... read more
Reviews
Mouth of the Architect – Quietly
Posted Oct. 13, 2008, 3 p.m.
It has been a rather tumultuous year for Mouth of the Architect. Late last year the band announced their breakup as a result of the ... read more
Reviews
These Arms Are Snakes – Tail Swallower & Dove
Posted Oct. 7, 2008, 9:10 p.m.
Once again I come into a new full-length from These Arms are Snakes filled with expectations. And while I am filled with hope for repeated ... read more
Reviews
GZA – Pro Tools
Posted Oct. 5, 2008, 1:07 p.m.
Wu-Tang Clan member GZA - aka The Genius - is back with his first solo offering since 2002s Legend of the Liquid Sword. But its ... read more
Reviews
My Heart to Joy at the Same Tone – Virgin Sails
Posted Oct. 1, 2008, 10:42 p.m.
Im not too sure about the bands namesake, but you cant always judge a book by its cover. So, I went into the new 7 ... read more
Reviews
Brainworms / Tubers – Split
Posted Oct. 1, 2008, 10:40 p.m.
Brainworms continue their progression with each release. With numerous recordings under their belts by now, the band has finally come to a point where theyre ... read more
Reviews
Inert – Inert
Posted Oct. 1, 2008, 10:38 p.m.
Inert is an ex-members of band from Los Angeles. This 7 is the bands debut offering and boasts six tracks of metallic, groove-laden hardcore. Musically ... read more
Reviews
Skin Like Iron – Skin Like Iron
Posted Sept. 29, 2008, 8:33 p.m.
I cant help but wonder what the music world would be like without experimentation. Sure, the first to try something different is often shunned, but ... read more
Reviews
The Cool Kids – The Bake Sale
Posted Sept. 24, 2008, 12:33 a.m.
When hip-hop exploded in the 1980s it was characterized by flashy outfits, breakdancing, and of course, ghetto blasters. The music was primarily comprised of ridiculously ... read more
Reviews
sBACH – sBACH
Posted Sept. 21, 2008, 2:08 p.m.
Like his Hella counterpart Zach Hill - well, his original counterpart prior to the bands recent additions - Spencer Seim has recently ventured out on ... read more
Reviews
Zach Hill – Astrological Straits
Posted Sept. 21, 2008, 2:05 p.m.
Zach Hill is quite the accomplished drummer. Hill co-founded the genre-bending duo (now a fivesome) Hella with Spencer Seim. In addition, Hill has found time ... read more
Reviews
No Harm Done – Escape
Posted Sept. 17, 2008, 8:59 p.m.
Sometimes, on paper a band can look really good. But when you get around to listening, it just doesnt add up. No Harm Done is ... read more
Reviews
Clouds – We are Above You
Posted Sept. 16, 2008, 9:16 p.m.
After debuting with last years Legendary Demo, Boston-based rockers Clouds return with their sophomore full-length. Fronted by former Cave In guitar maestro Adam McGrath, the ... read more
Reviews
Die Young – Through the Valleys in Between
Posted Sept. 14, 2008, 3:18 p.m.
I cant exactly recall my first exposure to Die Young, but I do know the bands 90s inspired hardcore punk sound and intense lyrical messages ... read more
Reviews
Grave Maker – Bury Me at Sea
Posted Sept. 7, 2008, 11:41 p.m.
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Grave Maker quickly made a name for themselves thanks to a promising demo and a commitment to the road. With ... read more
Reviews
No Turning Back – Stronger
Posted Sept. 2, 2008, 11:57 p.m.
For over a decade No Turning Back has been churning out release after release - CD, vinyl, and cassette - of punishing New York flavored ... read more
Reviews
Braindead – No Consequences
Posted Aug. 27, 2008, 12:30 a.m.
Hailing from areas around the city of Philadelphia, Braindead have quickly become one of my favorite current hardcore bands. Formed only a few years ago, ... read more
Reviews
Have Heart – Songs to Scream at the Sun
Posted Aug. 26, 2008, 12:37 a.m.
From the get-go Have Heart has had a rabid and devoted following. Beginning with their demo in 2003 and What Counts EP a year later, ... read more
Reviews
Know the Score – All Guts, Still No Glory
Posted Aug. 20, 2008, 7:52 p.m.
We dont care about your labels and your fucking trends / We only care about the music and hanging out with our friends / So ... read more
Reviews
Wait in Vain – Seasons
Posted Aug. 18, 2008, 3:53 p.m.
When you look at the list of previous ventures from the members of Wait in Vain, its hard to not get excited. Frontman Timm McIntosh ... read more
Reviews
One Day as a Lion – One Day as a Lion
Posted Aug. 7, 2008, 3:31 p.m.
The background behind the formation of One Day as a Lion isnt really well, there at all. It pretty much consists of a day when ... read more
Reviews
This Time Next Year – The Longest Way Home
Posted Aug. 4, 2008, 11:45 p.m.
So many thoughts come to mind when I think of this California-based pop-punk group. This Time Next Year is a band that not only captured ... read more
Reviews
Smoke & Mirrors – Flash Thunder
Posted Aug. 3, 2008, 9:02 p.m.
Erie hardcore. Ninety-nine out of a hundred of you instantly thought of either Brothers Keeper or xDisciplex AD. While these two groups have since fallen ... read more
Reviews
Down to Nothing / 50 Lions – Split
Posted Aug. 3, 2008, 9 p.m.
Richmond meets Melbourne on this split effort. Down to Nothing follows up last years The Most while 50 Lions follows up an Australian-released full-length of ... read more
Reviews
Catch Your Breath – Life & Sounds
Posted Aug. 3, 2008, 8:58 p.m.
Catch Your Breath is an upstart hardcore group from the greater Los Angeles area. I couldnt find much background info on the band, so Im ... read more
Reviews
Your Fall – Your Fall
Posted Aug. 3, 2008, 8:56 p.m.
I know nothing of the Brazilian hardcore world, nor will I pretend to know anything. In fact, the only things I know about Brazil are ... read more
Reviews
Offsides – It's a Struggle to Communicate
Posted Aug. 3, 2008, 8:54 p.m.
Heres something new for you. Well maybe not new, but something we dont get much of these days. Offsides is a fast-paced melodic hardcore group ... read more
Reviews
The Wonder Years – Won't Be Pathetic Forever
Posted Aug. 3, 2008, 8:51 p.m.
The Wonder Years return with a brand new 7, their follow-up to last years Get Stoked on it!. The record features four new tracks that ... read more
Reviews
Until the End – From the Beginning...Until the End
Posted July 29, 2008, 12:16 a.m.
Whenever I think of Until the End, I think of the time I crammed five finals into a twenty-four-hour period so I could take a ... read more
Reviews
Hostage Calm – Lens
Posted July 14, 2008, 11:45 p.m.
Connecticut hardcore, no matter how great it is, always seems to get overshadowed by the nearby bustling Massachusetts (particularly Boston) hardcore scene. In fact, oftentimes ... read more
Reviews
Fallen from the Sky – Tonight We Radiate
Posted July 9, 2008, 8:52 p.m.
Floridas Fallen from the Sky have been on the upward trend since releasing their debut EP, Tune Out the World, in 2005. They were runner-ups ... read more
Reviews
Ability – Expired
Posted July 6, 2008, 11:49 p.m.
Ability is a five-piece hardcore band from the Northern outskirts of Los Angeles. Expired is their debut effort and the 7 features five cuts of ... read more
Reviews
Police & Thieves – Amor Y Guerra
Posted July 6, 2008, 11:47 p.m.
It must have been two or three years ago now that I received Police & Thieves demo in the mail. I think it came with ... read more
Reviews
Coptic Times – Temptation
Posted July 6, 2008, 11:46 p.m.
Coptic Times is the latest output from the Texas hardcore scene, but after repeated listens to Temptation that might be one of the last places ... read more
Reviews
Pitfall – Another Day at the Zoo
Posted July 6, 2008, 11:44 p.m.
Massachusetts is always churning out quality hardcore and Pitfall is no exception. Another Day at the Zoo is the bands first official release following a ... read more
Reviews
Counting the Days / Hollywood – Split
Posted July 6, 2008, 11:43 p.m.
Counting the Days is back with two new tracks following an LP release in 2006. These songs are very much in line with their previous ... read more
Reviews
Braindead / Blackbirds – Split
Posted July 6, 2008, 11:41 p.m.
The split effort from Burn Bridges teams up two underrated bands that definitely deserve more attention. Pennsylvanias Braindead and Michigans Blackbirds each deliver original songs ... read more
Reviews
Pressure – Beasts
Posted July 6, 2008, 11:40 p.m.
So we normally stick to reviewing albums that have been released within the last six months, but sometimes we make exceptions. I dont know why ... read more
Reviews
Triac – Blue Room
Posted July 6, 2008, 11:39 p.m.
Grindcore is a genre that you either fanatical about, or you just dont seem to care. I cant say that Im all that jazzed about ... read more
Reviews
Unseen Force – In Search of the Truth (Reissue)
Posted June 25, 2008, 2:16 p.m.
Most people that really delve deep into and are passionate about hardcore and punk know Richmond, Virginia for its fruitful output over the past decade ... read more
Reviews
Killing the Dream – Fractures
Posted June 19, 2008, 10:56 p.m.
Im going to be straight up; Fractures is the most anticipated album of 2008 for me. Sure, there were other albums that I have really ... read more
Reviews
The End of Six Thousand Years – Isolation
Posted June 16, 2008, 8:51 p.m.
Italys The End of Six Thousand Years return with their debut full-length following a split release with Embrace the End in 2006. Isolation picks up ... read more
Reviews
Bad Reaction – Had it Coming
Posted June 16, 2008, 8:49 p.m.
Had it Coming is my first exposure to Los Angeles Bad Reaction, but apparently this recording is a CD version of their previously released 7s ... read more
Reviews
Bullet Treatment / It's Casual – Split
Posted June 16, 2008, 8:47 p.m.
This split 7 from Basement Records teams up two Los Angeles hardcore veterans for two tracks each: Bullet Treatment and Its Casual. Everything about this ... read more
Reviews
The Devil in the Sea – Heart vs. Spine
Posted June 16, 2008, 8:45 p.m.
Within moments of pressing play on Heart vs. Spine it comes as no surprise that The Devil and the Sea call Louisiana home. These southern ... read more
Reviews
Under Anchor – There is No End
Posted June 16, 2008, 8:42 p.m.
Despite my close proximity to the state, its been quite a while since Ive heard something new from Michigan thats caught my interest. Under Anchor ... read more
Reviews
Argos Checkmate – Argos Checkmate
Posted June 16, 2008, 8:40 p.m.
Argos Checkmate hails from Syracuse and mix together the worlds of chaotic metalcore and ambient post-rock. You may think the two dont go together well, ... read more
Reviews
Hour of the Wolf / Lewd Acts – Split
Posted June 13, 2008, 8:16 a.m.
It wasnt that long ago that I caught a little tour featuring Hour of the Wolf, Lewd Acts, and Trash Talk. In fact, it was ... read more
Reviews
International Superheroes of Hardcore – Takin' it Ova!
Posted June 10, 2008, 3:03 p.m.
Hardcore is serious business well most of the time. Mixed amongst those pushing forth ideas concerning local and world issues are those out to have ... read more
Reviews
Various Artists – Punk Goes Crunk
Posted June 9, 2008, 12:45 a.m.
The Punk Goes series has been running since the start of this century, beginning with metal and running through pop, acoustic, the 80s, the 90s, ... read more
Reviews
Shai Hulud – Misanthropy Pure
Posted June 4, 2008, 11:09 p.m.
It has been five years since Shai Huluds last full-length offering, the underappreciated That Within Blood Ill-Tempered, The band has returned with Misanthropy Pure, their ... read more
Reviews
Muse – H.A.A.R.P.
Posted June 3, 2008, 7:51 a.m.
Muse is a band that has long had their music overshadowed by comparisons to the giants that are Radiohead, U2, and Queen. Rather than worry ... read more
Reviews
Tides / Giant – Split
Posted May 28, 2008, 11:14 p.m.
Level Plane Records and Teenage Disco Bloodbath Records have partnered together as they team up two extremely underrated artists, at least in my eyes. Originally ... read more
Reviews
Testament – The Formation of Damnation
Posted May 22, 2008, 8:23 p.m.
Since the mid 1980s Bay Area thrashers Testament have persevered in the world of heavy metal, undergoing numerous lineup changes and even a few medical ... read more
Reviews
Down and Outs – Friday Nights, Monday Mornings
Posted May 8, 2008, 1:14 p.m.
Down and Outs have been shaking things up for going on four years now. Unfortunately, I really didnt start paying attention to the band until ... read more
Reviews
Capillary Action – So Embarrassing
Posted May 6, 2008, 1:06 a.m.
There is a small set of musicians that I would consider to be more than just your average artist. When it comes to composing music, ... read more
Reviews
Set Foot – Aging
Posted May 2, 2008, 8:30 a.m.
Set Foot is a fairly straightforward hardcore band from Vancouver, British Columbia. They may hail from the Pacific Northwest but theyre far different from their ... read more
Reviews
Brain Dead / Rot in Hell – Millennial Psychosis
Posted May 2, 2008, 8:27 a.m.
Millennial Psychosis features two of the best up-and-coming hardcore bands that the U.K. has to offer. If you havent picked up on these two yet, ... read more
Reviews
Zhenia Golov – Zhenia Golov
Posted May 2, 2008, 8:24 a.m.
Zhenia Golov hail from the hardcore factory that is New Brunswick, NJ. I wont bore you with a list of notables that have already made ... read more
Reviews
Dynamite Arrows – Blowin' It
Posted May 2, 2008, 8:21 a.m.
Dynamite Arrows offers up four tracks on Blowin It. The four-piece have concocted a fine mixture of melodic punk, hardcore, and traditional pop-punk. Musically Im ... read more
Reviews
Yo Man Go – Life Lessons
Posted May 2, 2008, 8:17 a.m.
Yo Man Go hail from the eastern part of Pennsylvania and they play melodic punk thatll please fans whose record collections boast releases from the ... read more
Reviews
Antillectual – Waves
Posted May 2, 2008, 8:14 a.m.
Straightforward hardcore/punk. That is what The Netherlands Antillectual offers up on Waves. This 7 features three new songs and three songs from their previous full-length. ... read more
Reviews
Masato Tanaka / Pocket Gallows – Split
Posted May 2, 2008, 8:11 a.m.
Square of Opposition Records has teamed up two new bands, or at least two that are new to me team up for a split 12 ... read more
Reviews
Vanessa Van Basten – Vanessa Van Basten (Reissue)
Posted May 2, 2008, 8:01 a.m.
Fortunately for all, Vanessa Van Basten is not the name of the latest female pop diva. Instead, they are a two-piece instrumental duo from Italy ... read more
Reviews
Bosch's With You – Dreams That Come a Thing Part II
Posted May 2, 2008, 7:58 a.m.
I believe that Boschs With You is the first Russian band Ive sat down and actually listened to. I cant help but make the excuse ... read more
Reviews
Three Steps to the Ocean – Three Steps to the Ocean (Reissue)
Posted May 2, 2008, 7:54 a.m.
Three Steps to the Ocean is an Italian instrumental outfit. Like their counterparts in Vanessa Van Basten, Three Steps to the Ocean dabbles in the ... read more
Reviews
Hoor-paar-Kraat – In Eros Veritas
Posted May 2, 2008, 7:51 a.m.
There is a fine line between noise and music. Notice that I didnt say art, because in all honesty, art is pretty much anything you ... read more
Reviews
Skin Like Iron – Amalgamation II
Posted April 30, 2008, 4:47 p.m.
Amalgamation II compiles together the three self-released cassette recordings from Skin Like Iron. These recordings were originally released separate from each other beginning last year; ... read more
Reviews
Culprits – Demo
Posted April 21, 2008, 3:32 p.m.
Culprits is a band that youve likely never heard. What the hell is wrong with you? This New Mexico four-piece serves up five tracks of ... read more
Reviews
Radio War – The Rising of the Talentless
Posted April 21, 2008, 3:30 p.m.
Richmond has always had an impressive hardcore scene, so its no surprise to hear good things from the city in Radio War. The Rising of ... read more
Reviews
Title Fight – Kingston
Posted April 21, 2008, 3:27 p.m.
Title Fight is the latest pop-punk/melodic hardcore outfit to emerge from the school of Saves the Day/Lifetime. The three songs that comprise this 7 are ... read more
Reviews
Insurrect – Fucking Infinity
Posted April 21, 2008, 3:25 p.m.
Ive lived in Cleveland for most of my life and Ive come to know the city as quite the haven for metal. I guess there ... read more
Reviews
Alone – Kiss Dreams Goodbye
Posted April 21, 2008, 3:24 p.m.
Kiss Dreams Goodbye is the newest offering from Alone, a melodic hardcore band hailing for Italy. This release is the bands follow-up to a split ... read more
Reviews
Tempo No Tempo – Repetition
Posted April 21, 2008, 3:22 p.m.
Tempo No Tempo fit into that niche of bands that take equal influence from the worlds of indie rock and new wave. Musically speaking the ... read more
Reviews
The Sword – Gods of the Earth
Posted April 21, 2008, 12:47 a.m.
The Sword is probably the first band to ever see their career catapulted thanks to a video game. Sure, lots of bands have had their ... read more
Reviews
Lair of the Minotaur – War Metal Battle Master
Posted April 2, 2008, 7:35 p.m.
It is now five years into Lair of the Minotaurs existence and I think its safe to say that this band is not a gimmick ... read more
Reviews
The Alphabetical Order – I am Magically Happening!
Posted April 1, 2008, 11:25 p.m.
I get a lot of albums in the mail, a lot. Every one of them comes with one-sheet containing information and descriptions that suggest that ... read more
Reviews
Blacklisted – Heavier than Heaven, Lonelier than God
Posted March 31, 2008, 1:22 a.m.
Lets be honest, the vast majority of hardcore music is similar sounding. There is only so many ways in which you can arrange music that ... read more
Reviews
Smartbomb – Chaos and Lawlessness
Posted March 27, 2008, 9:25 p.m.
Members of No Trigger and Shock Nagasaki playing melodic hardcore in the vein of Kid Dynamite, Descendents, and 7 Seconds? Sign me the hell up! ... read more
Reviews
Attention – Stand Strong
Posted March 27, 2008, 9:22 p.m.
Pop-rock is a huge right now and Attention has a shot at being the next big thing. This four-piece group from Minneapolis contains members that ... read more
Reviews
Sakes Alive!! – Presents
Posted March 27, 2008, 9:19 p.m.
Sakes Alive!! hails from Rochester, NY and this is the bands debut offering. Interesting enough, this recording actually started as the project of one individual, ... read more
Reviews
Empire! Empire! (I was a Lonely Estate) – Year of the Rabbit
Posted March 27, 2008, 9:15 p.m.
Emo is a genre that often gets its name dragged through the mud. While there are artists now classified as emo that are pretty horrendous, ... read more
Reviews
Salt the Wound – Carnal Repercussions
Posted March 27, 2008, 9:10 p.m.
Cleveland-based Salt the Wound has been festering in the depths of the metal world since their formation in 2001. With the release of their debut ... read more
Reviews
MGR – Wavering on the Cresting Heft
Posted March 25, 2008, 3:13 p.m.
Wavering on the Cresting Heft is the second solo recording from Isis guitarist Michael Gallagher under the moniker MGR. MGR is an acronym for Mustard ... read more
Reviews
Ritual – Wolves
Posted March 23, 2008, 3:44 p.m.
I dont know what it is but Europeans love vegan and straightedge hardcore a lot more than us Americans do, or at least they come ... read more
Reviews
Sabertooth Zombie – Dance / The Prisoner
Posted March 13, 2008, 3:53 p.m.
Sabertooth Zombie is a band that has been waiting to explode for sometime now. After a few self-released efforts, the band release their debut full-length, ... read more
Reviews
Landmine Marathon / Scarecrow – Split
Posted March 12, 2008, 7:08 p.m.
Level Plane Records is a quality label in all that they do. Theyve got the arty-punk and progressive hardcore bands, and they even tackle post-rock. ... read more
Reviews
Once Nothing – First Came the Law
Posted March 12, 2008, 7:05 p.m.
Its been a few years now since I first became acquainted with Once Nothing. They were just a local band playing shows wherever they could ... read more
Reviews
Dead Will Rise – Entrepreneur
Posted March 12, 2008, 7:02 p.m.
Dead Will Rise is one of the recent signings to Twelve Gauge Records. While the label mainly sets it focus in the hardcore world, they ... read more
Reviews
The Bakerton Group – The Bakerton Group
Posted March 12, 2008, 7 p.m.
What do you get when you take Clutch and tell Neil Fallon to take a hike? You get The Bakerton Group. While you might think ... read more
Reviews
ASG – Win Us Over
Posted March 12, 2008, 6:58 p.m.
ASG stands for Amplification for Self Gratification. The name is rather fitting for this North Carolina rock group. On Win Us Over, their third full-length, ... read more
Reviews
Murder By Death – Red of Tooth and Claw
Posted March 10, 2008, 2:25 a.m.
With their fourth full-length album, Murder by Death has finally brought all their varying influences together. Each of the bands previous recordings focused on a ... read more
Reviews
The Carrier – One Year Later
Posted March 5, 2008, 5:17 p.m.
Sometimes I wonder if there is any passion left in hardcore - and not passion to be popular, but a passion that inspires a band ... read more
Reviews
Restrained – Restrained
Posted March 3, 2008, 3:08 p.m.
Last year this California five-piece released a heck of a demo tape; one that had me quite excited to hear more from them. Well here ... read more
Reviews
Defiant Hearts – Arlington
Posted March 3, 2008, 3:05 p.m.
Massachusetts has pretty much been a breeding ground for hardcore bands since well hardcore started. Defiant Hearts is yet another in the long line of ... read more
Reviews
Where it Ends – Resonate
Posted March 3, 2008, 3:03 p.m.
When I listen to Resonate from South Carolinas Where it Ends I immediately think of individuals my own age that were spinning Strife and Trial ... read more
Reviews
Brothers – Black Friday
Posted March 3, 2008, 3:01 p.m.
It is a shame when a band like Brothers goes unnoticed. This five-piece outfit hails from Michigan and Black Friday is their debut offering. The ... read more
Reviews
Just Went Black – Embracing Emptiness
Posted March 3, 2008, 2:58 p.m.
Hamburg, Germany is a city that is known more for its architecture than it is for its musical output. In fact, if you were to ... read more
Reviews
Short Fuse – Blight
Posted March 3, 2008, 2:56 p.m.
Short Fuse is a hardcore punk outfit from Münster, Germany. The four-piece outfit delivers six tracks of fast and raw hardcore punk. Blight packs a ... read more
Reviews
Anti-Flag – A Benefit for Victims of Violent Crime
Posted March 3, 2008, 2:54 p.m.
Anti-Flag has always been a band about raising awareness, but usually the subject is tied to our countrys government in some manner. The band continues ... read more
Reviews
The Steal – The Steal
Posted Feb. 28, 2008, 10:20 p.m.
Fast, melodic, hardcore punk infused with melody. That is the short and sweet description of what you can expect from The Steals debut full-length, The ... read more
Reviews
Trial – Reunion / Retrospective
Posted Feb. 27, 2008, 12:41 a.m.
If there were one band that I felt characterized both the sound and ideals of hardcore in the 1990s, it would be Trial. The Northwest ... read more
Reviews
The Cancer Conspiracy – Omega
Posted Feb. 21, 2008, 3:14 p.m.
Omega is the final testament to the instrumental indie/math/prog-rockers The Cancer Conspiracy. Recorded over four years ago, the album was left in limbo due to ... read more
Reviews
Reign Supreme – American Violence
Posted Feb. 20, 2008, 12:41 a.m.
Philadelphias Reign Supreme burst onto the hardcore scene in 2006 with great intensity. Fronted by former Blacklisted member Jay Pepito and also featuring former members ... read more
Reviews
Son Lux – At War with Walls and Mazes
Posted Feb. 14, 2008, 4:48 p.m.
Son Lux is the working project of one man, Ryan Lott, a multi-talented musician and artist. At War with Walls and Mazes is his debut ... read more
Reviews
Arson Anthem – Arson Anthem
Posted Feb. 14, 2008, 4:45 p.m.
Arson Anthem has quite the pedigree with members of Pantera, Eyehategod, and Superjoint Ritual in tow. Phil Anselmo, who is joined by Mike Williams of ... read more
Reviews
ANS / Seasick – Billy in a Bearsuit
Posted Feb. 14, 2008, 4:41 p.m.
Hailing from outside Dallas, ANS deliver a concoction of fast-paced hardcore punk that draws comparisons to the early days of hardcore: Black Flag, Bad Brains, ... read more
Reviews
Lighten Up – I'd Rather be Snoring
Posted Feb. 14, 2008, 4:39 p.m.
Philadelphia is always shooting out new hardcore bands. Lighten Up is one of the more recent products of the city of endless hardcore. The members ... read more
Reviews
Sequoia – Time to Change
Posted Feb. 14, 2008, 4:36 p.m.
The metropolis of Chicago, IL is home to many many artists. While listening to Sequoia, I found their sound to be somewhat fitting, but at ... read more
Reviews
Shout Magic – Ceiling Fan and Other Revolutions
Posted Feb. 14, 2008, 4:34 p.m.
Shout Magic is a five-piece ensemble from Philadelphia. Though, if you were listen to the music of Ceiling Fan and Other Revolutions you definitely wouldnt ... read more
Reviews
The Out_Circuit – Pierce the Empire with a Sound
Posted Feb. 14, 2008, 4:17 p.m.
Frodus is one of those bands that just didnt seem to get the recognition they truly deserved until after their breakup, and theyre still extremely ... read more
Reviews
This Will Destroy You – This Will Destroy You
Posted Feb. 5, 2008, 3:30 p.m.
It wasnt long ago that Texas natives This Will Destroy You were nothing more than a well-kept secret. But thanks to a solid debut album ... read more
Reviews
Life Long Tragedy – Runaways
Posted Feb. 5, 2008, 3:24 p.m.
Evolution in the music world results in one of two things: fame or infamy. Life Long Tragedy have slowly grown from a group of young ... read more
Reviews
Skeletons with Flesh on Them – The Fish Don't Mind
Posted Feb. 1, 2008, 6:49 a.m.
Some bands just have cool names. Skeletons with Flesh on Them, an indie rock band from Seattle, are one of them. This four-piece indie/rock group ... read more
Reviews
Endgame – Distracted
Posted Feb. 1, 2008, 6:45 a.m.
Endgame is the latest band to emerge from the New Jersey hardcore scene. The four-piece outfit has returned after a split CD with Movement that ... read more
Reviews
Orgone – The Goliath
Posted Feb. 1, 2008, 6:42 a.m.
Orgone is an interesting term that refers to the life energy of humans. It may exist; it may not. Thats all up for debate. One ... read more
Reviews
Fight Pretty – Rewiring the Human Body
Posted Feb. 1, 2008, 6:39 a.m.
How do you review an album plastered with a tagline from a review you wrote? Were both about to find out. Rewiring the Human Body ... read more
Reviews
Fire on Fire – Five Song EP
Posted Feb. 1, 2008, 6:33 a.m.
I have never been to Maine, but the visual in my head is that the state is a quite tranquil location. I know they have ... read more
Reviews
No Apologies – Survival
Posted Feb. 1, 2008, 6:30 a.m.
Survival is the debut full-length from No Apologies. This five-piece outfit comes from the land of koalas and aborigines. This album is filled with plenty ... read more
Reviews
Various Artists – Change!
Posted Feb. 1, 2008, 6:28 a.m.
Change! is the latest compilation from the team of Hopeless/Sub City Records and Hot Topic. Included in this release are one CD and one DVD. ... read more
Reviews
Trash Talk – Plagues
Posted Jan. 30, 2008, 11:09 p.m.
2007 was a huge year for this group of young men from Sacramento. A relentless touring schedule in support of their debut full-length, Walking Disease, ... read more
Reviews
Dub Trio – Another Sound is Dying
Posted Jan. 28, 2008, 2:12 a.m.
In the year 2008, one might question the relevancy of reggae and dub on todays music. When you take a closer look at things, youd ... read more
Reviews
The Huguenots – Discography
Posted Jan. 25, 2008, 9:03 a.m.
The Huguenots were a band that existed at some point during the late 1990s, or at least that is what I can conclude based on ... read more
Reviews
Miles Away – Rewind, Repeat...
Posted Jan. 23, 2008, 4:49 p.m.
If you were to listen to the latest offering from Miles Away, Rewind, Repeat , and yet knew nothing of the band, the last place ... read more
Reviews
Perth Express – Discography
Posted Jan. 20, 2008, 3:40 p.m.
Perth Express is likely a band that youre unfamiliar with, but thats okay. Prior to being contacted by the label in regards to this discography ... read more
Reviews
Various Artists – United States of Hardcore
Posted Jan. 17, 2008, 2:38 a.m.
The title of this compilation speaks volumes about our nation. While there is an ongoing argument about who invented punk music - not that it ... read more
Reviews
Battles – Mirrored
Posted Jan. 13, 2008, 5:16 p.m.
The members of Battles definitely have impressive resumes when it comes to their former and current musical endeavors. Everyone knows John Stanier from his days ... read more
Reviews
Four Year Strong – Rise or Die Trying
Posted Jan. 8, 2008, 3:40 p.m.
Do you love bubblegum pop-punk? Do you love sign-alongs? Do you love ridiculous breakdowns? Well, then Four Year Strong and their debut full-length, Rise or ... read more
Reviews
Ringfinger – Decimal
Posted Jan. 7, 2008, 8:42 p.m.
The history behind Ringfingers Decimal is rather interesting. Tracy Wilson, whom some of you may remember from Dahlia Seed, started the project shortly after the ... read more
Reviews
Lie and Wait – Led Astray
Posted Dec. 31, 2007, 11:52 a.m.
Most within the hardcore and punk community are likely unaware of the existence of Lie and Wait. Sure, they are a fairly new band, but ... read more
Reviews
Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
Posted Dec. 26, 2007, 12:21 a.m.
Modest Mouses We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank have proven to be a difficult album for the staff of Scene Point Blank. Since ... read more
Reviews
Animosity – Animal
Posted Dec. 20, 2007, 7:49 p.m.
Animosity has proven that metal can truly reign supreme again in the Bay Area. Following the initial burst of thrash metal that drew the attention ... read more
Reviews
Romans – All Those Wrists
Posted Dec. 19, 2007, 12:58 p.m.
Romans is the latest band to be sprung forth from Vermonts underground music scene - the last two that I recall are My Revenge! and ... read more
Reviews
Xasthur – Defective Epitaph
Posted Dec. 19, 2007, 12:52 p.m.
One-man black metal projects certainly have become overabundant in the past couple of years. Im not exactly sure what brought on their increased presence in ... read more
Reviews
Intronaut – The Challenger
Posted Dec. 19, 2007, 12:44 p.m.
After the release of their debut full-length last year, Intronaut return with an EP containing three new songs and some added bells and whistles. The ... read more
Reviews
Don't Mess With Texas – Los Dias de Junio
Posted Dec. 19, 2007, 12:40 p.m.
Dont Mess with Texas is my first exposure to any artist from the country of Croatia. Despite reading through their one-sheet, I was a little ... read more
Reviews
The Flatliners – The Great Awake
Posted Dec. 19, 2007, 12:36 p.m.
The Flatliners hail from Toronto, Canada and The Great Awake is their second full-length. By the Fat Wreck Chords connection, you can certainly expect this, ... read more
Reviews
The Catalyst / Brainworms – Split
Posted Dec. 19, 2007, 12:31 p.m.
This split 7 features two up-and-comers from the hardcore punk scene of Richmond, VA: The Catalyst and Brainworms. Brianworms is up first with two cuts. ... read more
Reviews
The Flash Attacks – Revenge of the Fruit Flies
Posted Dec. 19, 2007, 12:26 p.m.
I know Ive said this before, but sometimes a randomly received album can be a pleasant surprise. The Flash Attacks latest 7 release, Revenge of ... read more
Reviews
The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza – Danza II: The Electric Boogaloo
Posted Dec. 19, 2007, 12:23 p.m.
This Louisiana/Tennessee metal conglomerate has a fairly funny yet juvenile name that is likely a huge hit with the faux-hardcore kids. But rather than live ... read more
Reviews
The Narrows – Benjamin
Posted Dec. 19, 2007, 12:18 p.m.
The Narrows have been a band for nearly nine years and yet this is my first exposure to them. And its not like they havent ... read more
Reviews
New Atlantic – The Streets, the Sounds, and the Love
Posted Dec. 19, 2007, 12:13 p.m.
Hmmmmmm. Thats the sound inside my head when I popped in New Atlantics The Streets, the Sounds, and the Love. That is the sound of ... read more
Reviews
Said Radio – Tidal Waves and Teeth
Posted Dec. 17, 2007, 3:14 p.m.
The initial rumblings of Said Radio caused a lot of excitement in the punk/hardcore community, and for good reason. Rumors of Said Radio - though ... read more
Reviews
Kaada & Patton – Live
Posted Dec. 13, 2007, 4:09 p.m.
Has it really been three, almost four, years now since Mike Patton and John Kaada released Romances? Apparently so! Live chronicles the first and only ... read more
Reviews
Strangers – Weight
Posted Dec. 11, 2007, 4:05 p.m.
Earlier this year Strangers really grabbed my interest with their four-song EP, Holding. On that release, five individuals from New Zealand delivered a devastating aural ... read more
Reviews
Pet Genius – Pet Genius
Posted Dec. 5, 2007, 7:04 p.m.
Stephen Brodsky is a shape-shifter. Throughout his musical career, the oftentimes-enigmatic frontman has been the main songwriting force behind numerous projects of all realms of ... read more
Reviews
Jena Berlin – Quo Vadimus
Posted Dec. 4, 2007, 6:14 p.m.
Quo Vadimus is the sophomore effort from Philadelphias Jena Berlin. Unfortunately, odds are that most of you reading this are unfamiliar with the group despite ... read more
Reviews
Shipwreck A.D. – Abyss
Posted Nov. 29, 2007, 2:41 p.m.
Lets be honest about things. Deathwish has hardcore locked down and Shipwreck A.D. is a key part of their commanding roster. After two self-titled 7 ... read more
Reviews
Pulling Teeth – Martyr Immortal
Posted Nov. 27, 2007, 3:40 p.m.
Pulling Teeth have quickly emerged as one of hardcores most respected groups following their formation a couple years back. With a steady supply of releases ... read more
Reviews
Skeletonwitch – Beyond the Permafrost
Posted Nov. 20, 2007, 2:05 p.m.
Skeletonwitch is the latest band from Ohio to make it to the big-time. These five dudes sport some silly names - Nate N8 Feet Under ... read more
Reviews
Dirty Money – No Escaping This
Posted Nov. 20, 2007, 2 p.m.
Dirty Money is one of the latest upstarts to emerge from the U.K. scene and take hardcore by storm. Dirty Money set forth a furious ... read more
Reviews
Deal With It – World Coming Down
Posted Nov. 20, 2007, 1:59 p.m.
Deal With It is the latest hardcore export from the U.K. This five-piece group of fellas churn out five brand new songs on World Coming ... read more
Reviews
Show No Mercy – Death is My Religion
Posted Nov. 20, 2007, 1:58 p.m.
Show No Mercy hail from Maryland and deliver seven tracks of crossover/thrash/metallic hardcore over the course of Death is My Religion. Musically, the band shows ... read more
Reviews
The Black Dahlia Murder – Nocturnal
Posted Nov. 20, 2007, 1:27 a.m.
I cannot think of another record label that could have released The Black Dahlia Murders new full-length Nocturnal. Sure, any number of labels could have ... read more
Reviews
Anchor – Captivity Songs
Posted Nov. 15, 2007, 8:17 p.m.
One thing that I love about hardcore bands from the 80s and 90s is that they often included background info on the songs lyrics. Perhaps ... read more
Reviews
Living Hell – The Lost and the Damned
Posted Nov. 14, 2007, 11:18 p.m.
Revelation Records has made quite the turn-around in the past two years. Besides mainstay Shai Hulud, the once hardcore-proud label has returned to its roots ... read more
Reviews
Bitter End – Climate of Fear
Posted Nov. 11, 2007, 8:06 p.m.
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 ... read more
Reviews
Path to Misery – Demo
Posted Nov. 8, 2007, 5:22 a.m.
Path to Misery is a musical-collective from Pittsburgh, PA. The group of individuals involved focuses their attention of raising awareness of government actions, social issues, ... read more
Reviews
The Wonder Years – Get Stoked on it!
Posted Nov. 8, 2007, 5:19 a.m.
I love Set Your Goals, but the popularity of the bands amalgamation of pop-punk and melodic hardcore has brought forth a million and a half ... read more
Reviews
Division Day – Beartrap Island
Posted Nov. 8, 2007, 5:17 a.m.
Division Day are a fairly new band from Los Angeles and they are going to turn some heads with their debut full-length, Beartrap Island. The ... read more
Reviews
The Honorary Title – Scream and Light Up the Sky
Posted Nov. 8, 2007, 5:15 a.m.
Scream and Light Up the Sky has been a long long time coming. Three years have gone by since their last release. This album also ... read more
Reviews
Motion City Soundtrack – Even if it Kills Me
Posted Nov. 8, 2007, 5:13 a.m.
If youre like me, the state of Minnesota is automatically associated with one of two things: 1) Mall of America and 2) Fargo. One is ... read more
Reviews
Bulldoze – The Final Beatdown
Posted Nov. 8, 2007, 5:10 a.m.
The Final Beatdown is a complete discography of New Yorks kings of beatdown hardcore, thus the title. The release is comprised of a CD, which ... read more
Reviews
Badmouth – Strikes Again
Posted Nov. 8, 2007, 5:08 a.m.
Badmouth is the latest in the seemingly never-ending line of pissed off hardcore bands from Southern California. Strikes Again is their debut effort, which is ... read more
Reviews
Failing Myself – Every Day
Posted Nov. 8, 2007, 5:06 a.m.
A cassette tape release? This is the third one Ive received in the mail recently. I dont even know where you get these pressed anymore. ... read more
Reviews
Botch – Unifying Themes Redux / American Nervoso / We are the Romans (Reissues)
Posted Nov. 6, 2007, 2:55 p.m.
How does one measure the influence and impact of a band on music? Sure, you could look at album sales, which in the case of ... read more
Reviews
These Days – Chained to the Lake
Posted Oct. 30, 2007, 4:54 p.m.
Following the release of their debut full-length, one of my favorites of 2005, These Days went on indefinite hiatus. Needless to say, I was bummed ... read more
Reviews
Rosetta – Wake/Lift
Posted Oct. 29, 2007, 6:17 p.m.
If youre unfamiliar with Rosetta, punch yourself. Seriously, Ill wait. Go ahead and punch yourself if youve never heard of Rosetta. Okay now By now, ... read more
Reviews
Just Surrender – We're in Like Sin
Posted Oct. 22, 2007, 11:31 p.m.
Rob Gordon once said The making of a great compilation tape, like breaking up, is hard to do and takes ages longer than it might ... read more
Reviews
Cloak/Dagger – We Are
Posted Oct. 18, 2007, 11:44 p.m.
Last year a band by the name of Cloak/Dagger released a 7 record. That record, Piñata, was easily one of the best slabs of wax ... read more
Reviews
Silverchair – Young Modern
Posted Oct. 16, 2007, 12:22 a.m.
The Beatles and Silverchair have a lot more in common than one might initially think. But before any of you go and get your panties ... read more
Reviews
See it Through – Breakthrough
Posted Oct. 8, 2007, 6:58 p.m.
I dont really know much of anything about Reno, Nevada other than its like a smaller, less fun version of Las Vegas. The only other ... read more
Reviews
First to Leave – Forging a Future
Posted Oct. 2, 2007, 2:47 p.m.
First to Leave have been the unfortunate victims of poor timing, not once, but twice. The first time occurred shortly after the release of their ... read more
Reviews
Unholy – Blood of the Medusa
Posted Sept. 27, 2007, 7:51 p.m.
Unholy first appeared on the hardcore radar in late 2004 when demo recordings from the band surfaced on the Internet. While many may have gotten ... read more
Reviews
Living Hell – Pavor Nocturnis
Posted Sept. 26, 2007, 2:42 p.m.
Last year I declared this release from Living Hell as one of the top demos that got upgraded to an actual release. After seeing a ... read more
Reviews
The Cancer Kids – The Possible Dream
Posted Sept. 26, 2007, 2:37 p.m.
The Cancer Kids call Massachusetts home. But unlike many of the artists from the state, they dont play tough-guy hardcore of Death Before Dishonor or ... read more
Reviews
La Piovra – La Piovra
Posted Sept. 26, 2007, 2:34 p.m.
Music from foreign countries is something that I always find interesting, especially when they sing in their native language. La Piovra takes its name from ... read more
Reviews
Sadville – Make Ready the Cross
Posted Sept. 26, 2007, 2:32 p.m.
Tennessee natives Sadville without a doubt could be the biggest misnomer for a group. These dudes dont play sad bastard emo at all. Instead they ... read more
Reviews
Brainworms – Which is Worse
Posted Sept. 26, 2007, 2:30 p.m.
Brainworms hail from Richmond, VA, a city with a rich hardcore/punk history. So its not a surprise that the members of Brainworms have made waves ... read more
Reviews
Rampage – Limit of Destruction
Posted Sept. 26, 2007, 2:28 p.m.
Boston-based hardcore outfit Rampage unleash thirteen tracks of thrash influenced hardcore on Limit of Destruction. Some of the cuts here take on a definite New ... read more
Reviews
Four Days to Burn – Lieutenant/Casino Bitch
Posted Sept. 26, 2007, 2:27 p.m.
Looking at the cover art to this 7 I was anticipating one of two things: stoner metal or art-metal akin to the Hydra Head roster. ... read more
Reviews
Kids Explode / Dialogues – Split
Posted Sept. 26, 2007, 2:24 p.m.
Rome Plow Records serves up another offering of under the radar music on this split 7. This time around weve got two bands that draw ... read more
Reviews
The Mall – Emergency at Everyday
Posted Sept. 26, 2007, 2:22 p.m.
The Mall plays post-hardcore with aspects of screamo and indie rock. But the most identifiable characteristic of their music is the use of keys. The ... read more
Reviews
Iamb / Candle – Come Back Home
Posted Sept. 26, 2007, 2:19 p.m.
Two artists from California team up for a split 7. Iamb is the work on single individual - Ross Major - with the help of ... read more
Reviews
Foot Foot / Casiotone for the Painfully Alone – Split
Posted Sept. 26, 2007, 2:18 p.m.
Los Angeles-based label Oedipus Records is an independent label run out of an apartment. As an individual doing the same thing with my label, I ... read more
Reviews
New Found Glory – From the Screen to Your Stereo Pt. 2
Posted Sept. 23, 2007, 4:16 p.m.
Last year I interviewed New Found Glory drummer Cyrus Bolooki about the possibility of another cover album in similar fashion to the bands From the ... read more
Reviews
Soul Control – Involution
Posted Sept. 20, 2007, 12:02 a.m.
Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the union, so you would think that with them already delivering Verse, theyd be all out of ... read more
Reviews
Wisdom in Chains – Class War
Posted Sept. 10, 2007, 1:27 p.m.
A lot has been made lately of the throwback sounds that are ultra popular in hardcore these days. It seems that if youre not biting ... read more
Reviews
Shipwreck – Shipwreck
Posted Sept. 9, 2007, 2:15 p.m.
Shipwreck burst onto the scene last year with their debut 7 on Rumble Records. The four-song release was an instant hit and eventually brought them ... read more
Reviews
War of Ages – Fire from the Tomb
Posted Sept. 9, 2007, 2:13 p.m.
Erie has a long-standing tradition of hardcore: xDisciplex A.D., Brothers Keeper, Shockwave, and Abnegation. Continuing that tradition is War of Ages, though they definitely mix ... read more
Reviews
Daymares – Cant Get Us All
Posted Sept. 9, 2007, 2:11 p.m.
Daymares hail from Poland. Yes, that Poland. Prior to this release, the band had nothing more than a roughly mixed demo, which mixed 90s metallic ... read more
Reviews
The Fire The Flood – Truth Seekers
Posted Sept. 9, 2007, 2:08 p.m.
The Fire The Flood hails from North Carolina, a state home to metalcore greats Prayer for Cleansing. Unfortunately, the music that makes up Truth Seekers ... read more
Reviews
Lewd Acts – Dark Days
Posted Sept. 9, 2007, 2:06 p.m.
Dark Days is a discography release that compiles the San Diego-based hardcore outfits previous material into one neat package. The CD opens with The Bridge, ... read more
Reviews
Foo Fighters – The Colour and the Shape (Reissue)
Posted Sept. 4, 2007, 3:31 p.m.
The Colour and the Shape was the Foo Fighters second full-length release, though it was the first album in which Grohl enlisted a full band ... read more
Reviews
Ruiner – Prepare to be Let Down
Posted Sept. 2, 2007, 11:44 p.m.
There was a time when I thought that Prepare to be Let Down was never going to be released. The album was slated to come ... read more
Reviews
Balboa / Rosetta – Project Mercury
Posted Aug. 28, 2007, 8:25 p.m.
Project Mercury is the latest output of material from two of Philadelphias underground sensations: Balboa and Rosetta. The split features original material from each band ... read more
Reviews
Death Before Dishonor – Count Me In
Posted Aug. 21, 2007, 8:23 p.m.
Boston-based and Boston-proud, Death Before Dishonor has been churning out bruising hardcore since they first hit the scene with True Till Death. Their debut EP ... read more
Reviews
Last of the Believers – Paper Ships Under a Burning Bridge
Posted Aug. 16, 2007, 8:21 p.m.
Paper Ships Under a Burning Bridge is the debut offering from Last of the Believers, a new project spearheaded by former members of the extremely ... read more
Reviews
The Geeks – Every Time We Fall
Posted Aug. 6, 2007, 11:56 p.m.
The Geeks: Korean straight edge hardcore with a youth crew twist. I know what youre thinking; the first time I heard it I didnt believe ... read more
Reviews
To the Lions – Baptism of Fire
Posted July 30, 2007, 10:05 p.m.
In 2005, former members of Grade and Confine, among others, resurfaced with a new project To the Lions. The band issued up a demo recording ... read more
Reviews
The Pax Cecilia – Blessed are the Bonds
Posted July 26, 2007, 1:56 a.m.
If I had to loosely describe The Pax Cecilia I would have to use the term rock, but doing so would be a great disservice ... read more
Reviews
Last Minute Fix / Lie and Wait – Split
Posted July 26, 2007, 1:53 a.m.
Two of Texas most promising hardcore upstarts team up on this split 7 release. On the A-Side we have Last Minute Fix, who released Revenge ... read more
Reviews
Stag – Stag
Posted July 26, 2007, 1:50 a.m.
Stag is a two-piece sludge-metal outfit from Missouri. This self-released four-song EP is a definite homage to the likes of early Neurosis with doom metal ... read more
Reviews
¡Apeshit! – ¡Apeshit!
Posted July 26, 2007, 1:14 a.m.
¡Apeshit! is a four-piece outfit hailing from New York City. They blast through thirteen songs on this, their debut effort, in less than eleven minutes. ... read more
Reviews
Internal Affairs – Deadly Visions
Posted July 11, 2007, 6:34 p.m.
Internal Affairs is a band that embodies what hardcore should truly be about. The music is fast, energetic, and pissed off. The lyrics are honest ... read more
Reviews
Misericordiam – Unanimity and the Cessation of Hostility
Posted July 8, 2007, 7:57 a.m.
Unanimity and the Cessation of Hostility is six tracks of blistering death metal that lasts a mere fourteen minutes. And while this EP is extremely ... read more
Reviews
Crowd Deterrent / Creepout – Split
Posted July 8, 2007, 7:56 a.m.
Two of the worlds most underrated hardcore bands team up for fourteen tracks of no-frills and no-fuss hardcore. First up is Crowd Deterrent from Youngstown, ... read more
Reviews
The Homefront – Sacrifice
Posted July 8, 2007, 7:56 a.m.
Massachusetts-based hardcore outfit The Homefront has quite a pedigree of previous bands: Have Heart, Guns Up!, and Verse. And if youve enjoyed the output of ... read more
Reviews
Limbeck – Limbeck
Posted July 8, 2007, 7:55 a.m.
The fact that Limbeck call Orange County, CA home is a bit of a head-scratcher. Based on their home, youd be more likely to expect ... read more
Reviews
Grave Robbers – Hell to Pay
Posted July 8, 2007, 7:55 a.m.
Horror-influence hardcore-punk from Texas. That is something that I can get behind. Grave Robbers blast through eight songs in just under thirty minutes. While the ... read more
Reviews
Taken Under – Silence Your Enemies
Posted July 8, 2007, 7:54 a.m.
Tennessee hardcore. I know what youre thinking; you thought everyone from Tennessee that was into music plays country. Well youre wrong. Although, the five gentlemen ... read more
Reviews
Sound the Alarm – Stay Inside
Posted July 8, 2007, 7:53 a.m.
Sound the Alarm is the latest in a crop of super-young musicians getting a major label deal. And on their debut full-length effort, Stay Inside, ... read more
Reviews
Spires – Spires
Posted July 8, 2007, 7:53 a.m.
Spires hail from Oakland, CA and deliver a punishing blend of hardcore, metal, and grindcore, not unlike like The Number 12 Looks Like You and ... read more
Reviews
Aoria – I Know You Came Here to Erase Me
Posted July 8, 2007, 7:37 a.m.
Its been a year since I first reviewed material from this Swedish rock group. Well Aoria are back with a new two-song EP. While the ... read more
Reviews
Off Balance – Demo
Posted July 8, 2007, 7:36 a.m.
Whoa! Its like I hit a time warp and traveled back to the early years of the NYHC scene. But I didnt. Off Balance hail ... read more
Reviews
Restrained – You Have Nothing to Lose but Your Chains
Posted July 8, 2007, 7:35 a.m.
A demo tape - heck yeah! Its been quite a while since Ive seen one of these. Restrained blast through seven songs - one an ... read more
Reviews
Gallows – Orchestra of Wolves
Posted June 10, 2007, 4:40 p.m.
For the most part, the state of music - underground or major label - is stale and nothing more than a regurgitation of what has ... read more
Reviews
Andrew W.K. – Close Calls With Brick Walls
Posted May 31, 2007, 8:01 p.m.
Andrew W.K. is the latest Renaissance man in the world of music. Like others before him, John Lennon and Henry Rollins among others, W.K.'s influence ... read more
Reviews
Various Artists – Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theatres
Posted May 16, 2007, 2:44 p.m.
I'm going to be quite blunt right off the bat. Normally I would take the time to write some kind of intro that ties in ... read more
Reviews
Hoods – Ghetto Blaster
Posted May 6, 2007, 2:43 p.m.
In the event of a worldwide nuclear war, I have come to the conclusion that only one thing will survive. And no, it is not ... read more
Reviews
Drawing Voices – Drawing Voices
Posted April 24, 2007, 5:21 p.m.
Drawing Voices is easily one the most experimental and groundbreaking projects that I have come across in all my years of listening to and reviewing ... read more
Reviews
Shadows Fall – Threads of Life
Posted April 18, 2007, 3:03 p.m.
I have five different CD players, three in my home and two more in cars. The copy of Threads of Life that I received to ... read more
Reviews
Life in Your Way – Waking Giants
Posted April 15, 2007, 5:21 p.m.
Waking Giants marks Life in Your Way's jump from the farm leagues to the, well, the somewhat bigger indie league. This is their first effort ... read more
Reviews
Annasay – Annasay
Posted April 2, 2007, 3:28 p.m.
I know this sounds familiar and you've heard a thousand of projects along these lines by now. But bear with me. Following the breakup of ... read more
Reviews
Strangers – Holding
Posted March 22, 2007, 4:24 p.m.
Many Americans tend to take our music scene for granted, very rarely looking outside of our borders for new music. But if the last couple ... read more
Reviews
Since the Flood – No Compromise
Posted March 19, 2007, 2:59 p.m.
New Hampshire natives Since the Flood have worked hard to get where they are today. In their five years of existence the band has self-released ... read more
Reviews
This Time Next Year – Demonstration
Posted March 15, 2007, 4:04 p.m.
I know I've said this before, but God bless the Bay Area! Five-piece outfit This Time Next Year is the latest band to emerge from ... read more
Reviews
Die Young – Graven Images
Posted March 12, 2007, 4:36 p.m.
Each year, like so many other music-obsessed individuals, I make a list of my most anticipated albums. In doing so, I am setting myself up ... read more
Reviews
Protagonist – Reasoning with Time
Posted March 8, 2007, 2:24 p.m.
Reasoning with Time is the follow-up offering to Protagonist's debut effort, Hope and Rage, which was put out by Blackout! Records back in 2003. It's ... read more
Reviews
Psyopus – Our Puzzling Encounters Considered
Posted March 6, 2007, 4:23 p.m.
Tech-metal reached perfection with The Dillinger Escape Plan's Calculating Infinity. That is my opinion, and you may argue that it is wrong or that my ... read more
Reviews
Time for Change – Wasting Away
Posted March 1, 2007, 8:57 p.m.
Two years ago when reviewing Time for Change's debut EP, Profound, I made it known that while the band delivered some quality music, they hadn't ... read more
Reviews
Clouds – Legendary Demo
Posted Feb. 27, 2007, 5:02 p.m.
It's quite an interesting experience to hear the whole of Cave In broken down into its different parts, in a manner of speaking that is. ... read more
Reviews
The End of Six Thousand Years / Embrace the End – Split
Posted Feb. 20, 2007, 4:22 p.m.
Still Life Records delivers another slab of aggressive metalcore as it teams up Italy's The End of Six Thousand Years and Sacramento, California's Embrace the ... read more
Reviews
As Hope Dies – As Hope Dies
Posted Feb. 18, 2007, 2:26 p.m.
This self-titled affair is the final recorded material from the melodic death metal/hardcore outfit As Hope Dies. Prior to this five-song EP, the band had ... read more
Reviews
Ignite the Will – Words Fail
Posted Feb. 13, 2007, 5:09 p.m.
I sometimes wonder what motivates individuals to be in a band full-time. That's a lot of devotion to one thing, and it comes with a ... read more
Reviews
Zozobra – Harmonic Tremors
Posted Feb. 11, 2007, 2:55 p.m.
Those frustrated by the fact that Old Man Gloom is nothing more than a studio project that rarely tours can get excited - at least ... read more
Reviews
The Miracle – Not Just Words
Posted Feb. 5, 2007, 1:58 p.m.
It's quite amazing how widespread hardcore music has become these days. Despites its relatively young age compared to other genres, it has become a worldwide ... read more
Reviews
Murder Practice – Murder Practice
Posted Jan. 29, 2007, 5:41 p.m.
The wave of hardcore bands coming from the hotbed that is the Bay Area is endless; Murder Practice is the latest export from the constantly ... read more
Reviews
Pulling Teeth – Vicious Skin
Posted Jan. 22, 2007, 3:17 p.m.
Baltimore based Pulling Teeth released an extremely impressive demo and all expectations of what a proper release would be are exceeded on this recording. Vicious ... read more
Reviews
Windmills by the Ocean – Windmills by the Ocean
Posted Jan. 3, 2007, 2:28 p.m.
Windmills by the Ocean is a collection of songs that have been dusted off after they sat on the shelf for... well, for far too ... read more
Reviews
Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton – Knives Don't Have Your Back
Posted Dec. 27, 2006, 1:43 p.m.
Emily Haines is a diva. Okay, maybe not in the traditional sense of the word, but if the modern definition - "an extremely independent and ... read more
Reviews
Brand New – The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me
Posted Dec. 13, 2006, 3:38 p.m.
Reviewing albums isn't an especially technical task. Anyone can do it. But, when you are piecing together your thoughts for an album review, there is ... read more
Reviews
Palehorse – Amongst the Flock
Posted Dec. 10, 2006, 2:29 p.m.
During the late 90's there occurred a revival of the youth crew sound that had dominated the hardcore scene during the mid-80's up through the ... read more
Reviews
Jeremy Enigk – World Waits
Posted Dec. 5, 2006, 1:11 a.m.
If you're not familiar with the name Jeremy Enigk, I have only one conclusion: you've been living under a rock for quite some time. Enigk ... read more
Reviews
The Neon Hookers – Calling All Creeps!
Posted Nov. 29, 2006, 1:03 p.m.
Calling All Creeps! is the debut EP from The Neon Hookers. Okay, so the band's choice in name isn't the greatest, but 1) most band ... read more
Reviews
Born from Pain – War
Posted Nov. 23, 2006, 2:19 p.m.
Born from Pain's fourth full-length, War, is the next logical step for the Dutch masters of hardcore. The music still draws heavily from the 90's ... read more
Reviews
Fireworks – We are Everywhere
Posted Nov. 19, 2006, 2:27 p.m.
Say hello to your new favorite band. Well, that is, of course, if you enjoy a band that blends upbeat punk, infectious pop hooks, and ... read more
Reviews
Giant Squid – Metridium Fields
Posted Nov. 12, 2006, 4:20 p.m.
I've always been fascinated with oceanography, or anything related to the ocean for that matter. And with the oceans covering nearly three-quarters of our planet, ... read more
Reviews
Pound for Pound – For Our Fallen Brothers
Posted Nov. 1, 2006, 8:29 p.m.
Pound for Pound hail from Springfield, Illinois, not to be confused with the hometown of The Simpsons, as the true location of that fictional town ... read more
Reviews
Eye of Judgement – The New Crusade
Posted Oct. 18, 2006, 2:53 p.m.
Let's face it, since the departure of Earth Crisis in 2001, there hasn't been a prevalent force in the vegan straightedge scene. I suppose Undying ... read more
Reviews
These Arms Are Snakes – Easter
Posted Oct. 12, 2006, 4:40 p.m.
Easter, the second and highly anticipated full-length from These Arms Are Snakes, is finally upon us. But just how anticipated was this album? Well it ... read more
Reviews
Know the Score – All Time Low
Posted Oct. 8, 2006, 1:48 p.m.
A lot of bands get labeled as "angry" or "pissed off" as a result of their lyrical content, and I'm sure you could apply those ... read more
Reviews
Set it Straight – Live Your Heart and Never Follow
Posted Oct. 1, 2006, 12:34 p.m.
Set it Straight is a band that truly deserves notoriety. Unfortunately, they really haven't gotten much attention outside of the Westcoast, which is both a ... read more
Reviews
Isis & Aereogramme – In the Fishtank 14
Posted Sept. 24, 2006, 2:22 p.m.
By now all of should know who Isis is and what to expect from them in terms of their music output. A good number of ... read more
Reviews
On a Warpath – On a Warpath
Posted Sept. 19, 2006, 3:30 p.m.
Within hardcore there lies a style of music that has come to known as beatdown. It is an interesting but narrow-minded sub-genre to the whole ... read more
Reviews
Another Breath – Mill City
Posted Sept. 10, 2006, 2:18 p.m.
Fulton, New York's Another Breath have returned with their debut full-length, Mill City. This is their follow-up to their first offering, 2004's Not Now, Not ... read more
Reviews
Death is Not Glamorous – Death is Not Glamorous / Undercurrents
Posted Sept. 5, 2006, 3:36 p.m.
I know very little about the country of Norway. Sure, I could hit up Google or Wikipedia and shoot off some facts about their leading ... read more
Reviews
Regret – Misery Brigade
Posted Aug. 30, 2006, 3:30 p.m.
Organized Crime Records is branching out these days with the release from a band that isn't from the Chicago metropolitan area. Jokes! Jokes! I'm aware ... read more
Reviews
Turn It Around – These Days
Posted Aug. 29, 2006, 1:45 a.m.
It's been a while since Sacramento churned out a new band worth hearing, but Turn it Around is that band. Their four-song 7" is chuck-full ... read more
Reviews
Triple Twins/A Roman Holiday – Split
Posted Aug. 29, 2006, 1:43 a.m.
The A-Side of this split features indie rock outfit A Roman Holiday. Their first contribution to this split is "Octopus." The song is a fun ... read more
Reviews
Steel Trap – Cold.Dead.Broke.
Posted Aug. 29, 2006, 1:41 a.m.
Steel Trap is the latest export from the highly talented Bay Area scene. This five-piece group serves up volatile hardcore that no doubt gets the ... read more
Reviews
Shipwreck – Shipwreck
Posted Aug. 29, 2006, 1:39 a.m.
This 7" has launched Shipwreck to the forefront of the hardcore scene, and with their recent signing to Deathwish, further fuel has been added to ... read more
Reviews
Our Times – Our Times
Posted Aug. 29, 2006, 1:38 a.m.
Buffalo has a rich history as far as hardcore goes. In recent years things have been a bit stagnant, but bands like Dead Hearts and ... read more
Reviews
Deep Sleep – You're Screwed
Posted Aug. 29, 2006, 1:37 a.m.
You're Screwed is nine songs of modern punk from Baltimore-based Deep Sleep. The songs on this 7" are quick and to the point and fueled ... read more
Reviews
Cloak/Dagger – Piñata
Posted Aug. 29, 2006, 1:36 a.m.
When you look at the pedigree of Cloak/Dagger, you really can't argue with it: American Nightmare, Striking Distance, Count Me Out, and Trial by Fire, ... read more
Reviews
The Pledge – Distress
Posted Aug. 23, 2006, 4:37 p.m.
I don't really consider myself to be a professional journalist by any means. But in my position as an "in my spare time journalist" I ... read more
Reviews
Jena Berlin – Passion Waits as the Program Keeps Going
Posted Aug. 18, 2006, 2:28 a.m.
I realize that we are more than halfway through 2006. I realize that Jena Berlin recently began recording their follow-up to this album. But, I ... read more
Reviews
Slumlords – On the Stremph!
Posted Aug. 11, 2006, 3:02 p.m.
The members of Baltimore based Slumlords have been around the proverbial block a few times and know their niche. On their previous releases the band ... read more
Reviews
Russian Circles – Enter
Posted Aug. 7, 2006, 4:15 p.m.
Hearing a new band for the very first time can be an awesome experience - it can also be horrible, but that is not the ... read more
Reviews
Lamella – Love Versus Dirt
Posted Aug. 1, 2006, 1:41 p.m.
I'll openly admit to the fact that the vast majority of my music preferences fall to the heavy side of the medium. However, there are ... read more
Reviews
Betrayed – Substance
Posted July 26, 2006, 3:41 p.m.
I just finished watching the trailer for the book-to-film documentary American Hardcore and it got me thinking. Anyone that claims to be a fan of ... read more
Reviews
Force of Change – The Bond We Share
Posted July 21, 2006, 4:57 p.m.
Metallic hardcore is easily my favorite genre of not only hardcore, but of all musical genres. My fondness of this genre is a direct result ... read more
Reviews
Set Your Goals – Mutiny!
Posted July 10, 2006, 3:36 p.m.
The debut full-length from Set Your Goals has been one of the most anticipated releases for myself and countless others for the year of 2006. ... read more
Reviews
Last Minute Fix – Revenge of the Syringe
Posted July 4, 2006, 4:47 p.m.
The cover of Last Minute Fix's debut effort, Revenge of the Syringe, depicts a bald eagle sitting in an alley totally strung out. Sitting next ... read more
Reviews
Sinking Ships – Disconnecting
Posted June 29, 2006, 1:56 p.m.
The Northwest hardcore scene recently lost an undeniable force with the breakup of fan favorite Champion. Fortunately there is a wake of other amazing bands ... read more
Reviews
Slayer – Eternal Pyre
Posted June 21, 2006, 3:19 p.m.
It's been a quite wait for Slayer fans, who are as rabid as music fans come. We last heard new music from the metal masters ... read more
Reviews
Aoria – If I Slow Down Everything Will Disappear
Posted June 20, 2006, 10:06 p.m.
I love unsolicited review materials, especially when it's a band I've never heard before, and even more so when said band turns out to be ... read more
Reviews
Defcon 4 – File Under Fuck
Posted June 20, 2006, 10:03 p.m.
A lot of bands claim influence from early hardcore favorites like Black Flag and Minor Threat. Nine times out of ten it is complete bullshit ... read more
Reviews
Junius – Blood is Bright
Posted June 11, 2006, 4:10 p.m.
I could attempt a witty introduction for this review, but both you and I know that you never read the first paragraph of these reviews. ... read more
Reviews
Murder By Death – In Bocca Al Lupo
Posted June 1, 2006, 4:37 p.m.
Music is an art, and oftentimes musicians will use their art to tell a story - concept albums have become increasingly popular in recent years. ... read more
Reviews
First Blood – Killafornia
Posted May 28, 2006, 11:53 p.m.
In the year 2002, hardcore/metal outfit Sworn Vengeance was on the brink of blowing up. The band had finished recording what I consider to be ... read more
Reviews
Fight Pretty – Blood Migration: The Year One Collection
Posted May 22, 2006, 2:36 p.m.
Discography releases are a great thing, when they are deserved, that is. When a band has only released material on vinyl or defunct labels and ... read more
Reviews
Tides – From Silence
Posted May 15, 2006, 4:30 p.m.
Tides have undergone a number of changes since we last heard from them on 2005's Resurface. Most notably, the band has added a second guitar ... read more
Reviews
Exit the King – Exit the King
Posted May 9, 2006, 2:25 p.m.
While most publications seem to avoid reviewing independent releases, I actually enjoy covering bands that aren't joined to a label. It refreshing to hear from ... read more
Reviews
Eagles of Death Metal – Death by Sexy
Posted May 2, 2006, 8:55 p.m.
The Eagles of Death Metal are back in action and are kicking all notions of a sophomore slump to the curb. Death by Sexy is ... read more
Reviews
Mouth of the Architect / Kenoma – Split
Posted April 26, 2006, 8:57 p.m.
When I started to write this review I wasn't really sure what direction this introduction was going to take. So I decided to let the ... read more
Reviews
Human Demise – Whitechapel Demise
Posted April 23, 2006, 11:35 a.m.
This review is an open letter to all the hardcore bands from the United States, consider yourselves called out. The next big thing in hardcore ... read more
Reviews
Set Your Goals – Reset
Posted April 14, 2006, 10:11 a.m.
Deje vu. Nearly two years ago I was writing a review of the original release of this EP. I closed that review stating that the ... read more
Reviews
Go it Alone / Blue Monday – Split
Posted April 11, 2006, 1:18 a.m.
I know very little of Vancouver, British Columbia other than the fact that the bulk of X-Files was filmed there and that it has the ... read more
Reviews
Magrundergrind / Shitstorm – Split
Posted April 6, 2006, 4:58 a.m.
A few years back, I used to be friends with this kid Lee. He played drums in a few local metal bands and he loved ... read more
Reviews
Anti-Flag – For Blood and Empire
Posted April 2, 2006, 4:12 p.m.
Punk rock has always been centered on the voicing of ones opinion, with the vast majority of those opinions taking direct aim at politics. In ... read more
Reviews
Lahar – Provide & Conquer
Posted March 30, 2006, 11:31 p.m.
The Northwest is breathing new life into its hardcore scene. They've got a lot of great bands right now - Go it Alone, Shook Ones, ... read more
Reviews
Ambitions – No Limits
Posted March 24, 2006, 1:45 a.m.
Demos can be funny sometimes. They are called a demo for a reason; it's by no means a finished product. And yet many times these ... read more
Reviews
If Hope Dies – Life in Ruin
Posted March 20, 2006, 11:57 p.m.
Auburn is a tranquil town in upstate New York sitting about fifteen minutes outside of the city of Syracuse. You may not be a geography ... read more
Reviews
Iron Age – Constant Struggle
Posted March 14, 2006, 12:51 a.m.
Despite what everyone else is saying, I can't call Iron Age a hardcore band. I know they're on a hardcore label and have members that ... read more
Reviews
Various Artists – We Reach: The Music of The Melvins
Posted March 12, 2006, 4:49 a.m.
A tribute to The Melvins, in theory, is a great idea. Hell, all tribute records in theory are great ideas. They pay homage to talented ... read more
Reviews
Ultra Dolphins – Why Are You Laugh
Posted March 5, 2006, 1:05 a.m.
Prior to receiving this album, I was only aware of Ultra Dolphins by name. I'd seen their name plastered on various websites and heard a ... read more
Reviews
Rise and Fall – Into Oblivion
Posted March 2, 2006, 7:07 p.m.
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 ... read more
Reviews
Ceremony – Ruined
Posted Feb. 27, 2006, 5:04 a.m.
Ceremony is hateful and unrelenting hardcore/punk from California. Why people from California are so angry is beyond me, but since it results in hardcore as ... read more
Reviews
Stop This Fall – Scream Till You're Free
Posted Feb. 25, 2006, 7:27 a.m.
Stop this Fall performs a unique mix of melodic hardcore and punk. The closest contemporaries that come to mind are The Suicide File and With ... read more
Reviews
Rubikon – The Hollow Men
Posted Feb. 25, 2006, 7:26 a.m.
Mainstream music is constantly changing. Congruently evolving with it are the numerous bands attempting to make it big by cashing in on whatever sound is ... read more
Reviews
Norma Jean – O' God, the Aftermath
Posted Feb. 25, 2006, 7:25 a.m.
Norma Jean went through a googolplex of vocalists between their last album and O' God, the Aftermath. After choosing one, the band took to the ... read more
Reviews
Neglect – The Complete Don Fury Sessions
Posted Feb. 25, 2006, 7:21 a.m.
Neglect are one of those bands that I always heard about, but never really took the time to listen to. Musically, they are on par ... read more
Reviews
Mouth of the Architect – Time and Withering
Posted Feb. 25, 2006, 7:19 a.m.
It is quite likely that Mouth of the Architect has been flying under your radar for quite some time. This is unfortunate, for both them ... read more
Reviews
Kasabian – Kasabian
Posted Feb. 25, 2006, 7:19 a.m.
There was a slight revival in retro rock-n-roll a few years ago with the breakout albums from The Strokes and The White Stripes. But in ... read more
Reviews
Gratitude – Gratitude
Posted Feb. 25, 2006, 7:18 a.m.
Those among the cult fanbase of former Far frontman Jonah Sonz Matranga were likely shocked when they heard that his latest project, Gratitude, would be ... read more
Reviews
Dälek – Absence
Posted Feb. 25, 2006, 7:17 a.m.
There's rap and there's hip hop, or at least that's how things used to be. Now there's Dälek and there's everything else. Dre, Outkast, and ... read more
Reviews
Armor for Sleep – What to do When You are Dead
Posted Feb. 25, 2006, 7:16 a.m.
Armor for Sleep is a band that for me failed to live up to the potential they were capable of on their debut album, Dreams ... read more
Reviews
All Hell Breaks Loose – All Hell Breaks Loose
Posted Feb. 25, 2006, 7:15 a.m.
South Florida must be a breeding ground for hardcore bands. It seems every three months I'm hearing about another band featuring members of past bands ... read more
Reviews
Shook Ones – Slaughter of the Insole
Posted Feb. 18, 2006, 1:04 a.m.
In 2005, Shook Ones quietly released their debut LP Sixteen on Endwell Records. Okay, so maybe quite a few people noticed, but I'm just trying ... read more
Reviews
Queens of the Stone Age – Over the Years and Through the Woods
Posted Feb. 16, 2006, 9:38 a.m.
Live albums aren't worth purchasing 99% of the time due to two reasons: 1) the band doesn't deserve it; 2) the recording quality is atrocious. ... read more
Reviews
Set to Explode – Set to Explode
Posted Feb. 12, 2006, 11:34 a.m.
Sometimes the Internet can be a glorious thing, and we can all thank Al Gore for that... It is because of the glorious invention that ... read more
Reviews
Scissorfight – Victory Over Horseshit
Posted Feb. 7, 2006, 5:30 p.m.
I'm going to jump right to the point; if you don't like rock-n-roll music, you're not going to like Scissorfight. This New Hampshire outfit plays ... read more
Reviews
Carry On – It's All Our Blood (Reissue)
Posted Feb. 3, 2006, 7 a.m.
Despite the fact that they are broken up, Carry On is probably the second most talked about band in hardcore - American Nightmare being number ... read more
Reviews
Dissolute – Intermittent Parasitic Oscillatior
Posted Jan. 26, 2006, 9:41 a.m.
For this Cleveland math-metal band, this release has been a long time coming. It was several years ago that I heard their first demo; the ... read more
Reviews
Renee Heartfelt – Death of the Ghost
Posted Dec. 27, 2005, 7:20 a.m.
I often wonder how musicians reach the point in their lives where they want to make a change in their musical endeavors. Perhaps they no ... read more
Reviews
I Am the Avalanche – I Am the Avalanche
Posted Dec. 20, 2005, 10:54 a.m.
If you look at the musical resumes of the members of I Am the Avalanche, they are quite impressive. Vocalist Vinnie Caruana fronted the pop-punk ... read more
Reviews
At Risk – At Risk
Posted Dec. 9, 2005, 4:36 a.m.
This past summer, while vacationing in California, I decided to do the drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. I drove along the winding road that ... read more
Reviews
Lair of the Minotaur – Cannibal Massacre
Posted Dec. 3, 2005, 11:41 p.m.
In 2004 we were treated to Carnage, the debut effort from this throwback thrash/metal outfit from Chicago. If you heard it, good. If not, well, ... read more
Reviews
Hoods – The King is Dead
Posted Nov. 27, 2005, 7:58 a.m.
Hoods, the reigning kings of Sacramento hardcore, have endured a lot throughout their decade of existence. The band have released a slew of recordings in ... read more
Reviews
American Werewolves – 1968
Posted Nov. 16, 2005, 8:44 a.m.
If you were to randomly walk into a concert venue while American Werewolves were performing you would be extremely fortunate. The four-piece punk outfit from ... read more
Reviews
Killing the Dream – In Place, Apart
Posted Nov. 14, 2005, 3:34 a.m.
It wasn't too that ago that Killing the Dream was just a band with a demo. Upon first hearing said demo, I shared it with ... read more
Reviews
Ringworm – Justice Replaced by Revenge
Posted Nov. 9, 2005, 7:45 a.m.
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 ... read more
Reviews
Municipal Waste – Hazardous Mutation
Posted Oct. 25, 2005, 4 p.m.
If you're craving a throwback to the time when thrash metal was at it's height, then look no further than Municipal Waste's Hazardous Mutation. On ... read more
Reviews
Know the Score – All Guts, No Glory
Posted Oct. 18, 2005, 7:04 p.m.
Some might say that hardcore has gone soft. Those that feel this way have a distorted view of the genre. Hardcore is as explosive and ... read more
Reviews
Ctrlaltdelete – Mondegreens
Posted Oct. 13, 2005, 3 a.m.
I used to hate 'ctrl,' 'alt,' and 'delete.' Used in succession, it only meant one thing - reboot. That's right! Your computer is fucked and ... read more
Reviews
Saltlick – A Face Only a Mother Could Love
Posted Oct. 4, 2005, 7:54 p.m.
In recent years country and folk music have had a significant increase in their influence in the genres of indie rock. We have seen albums ... read more
Reviews
Cave In – Perfect Pitch Black
Posted Sept. 25, 2005, 7:43 p.m.
About a year and a half about I was fortunate enough to catch a Cave In performance at which they debuted a handful of new ... read more
Reviews
Death Cab For Cutie – Plans
Posted Sept. 12, 2005, 1:57 a.m.
With their fifth full-length, indie music darlings Death Cab for Cutie make the jump from 'the little engine that could,' Barsuk Records, to the big-time ... read more
Reviews
Doomriders – Black Thunder
Posted Aug. 29, 2005, 6:05 p.m.
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 ... read more
Reviews
Down to Nothing – Splitting Headache
Posted Aug. 23, 2005, 6:18 p.m.
With their debut, Save it for the Birds, the Richmond, Virginia straightedge outfit turned quite a few heads with their high-octane approach to hardcore. The ... read more
Reviews
Rise and Fall – Hellmouth
Posted Aug. 16, 2005, 4 p.m.
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. ... read more
Reviews
Tides – Resurface
Posted Aug. 10, 2005, 5:31 a.m.
Boring. Derivate. Crap. These are all words that I have heard individuals use when referring to the craze of post-rock/instru-metal that is sweeping our nation, ... read more
Reviews
Sir Millard Mulch – How to Sell the Whole Fucking Universe to Everybody... Once and for All
Posted Aug. 4, 2005, 4 p.m.
If I had to nominate an album for the most bizarre and intriguing release of 2005 thus far, I would have no problem choosing Sir ... read more
Reviews
Pelican – The Fire in Our Throats Will Beckon the Thaw
Posted July 31, 2005, 3:15 p.m.
"Evolution is the key to survival." I don't know which famous individual stated this, but I am quoting them both out of respect as well ... read more
Reviews
Names for Graves – Worst Kid Ever
Posted July 23, 2005, 4 p.m.
Sandusky, Ohio is home to Cedar Point Amusement Park, the rollercoaster capital of the world. About 45 minutes due east is the blue-collar city of ... read more
Reviews
On Our Own / Under One Flag / Your Mistake – Split
Posted July 18, 2005, 5:21 a.m.
Split releases are a great way for bands to promote their music in locations they might not be able to travel to for shows. This ... read more
Reviews
You Will Die – You Will Die
Posted July 12, 2005, 11:55 p.m.
One of the few perks of writing reviews is that you get stuffed mailed to you all the time. Sure you may not enjoy every ... read more
Reviews
Various Artists – Dead Band's Party: A Tribute to Oingo Boingo
Posted July 9, 2005, 8:28 a.m.
The 80's weren't really as bad as those VH1 specials make it out to be. Sure the fashion of those years was pretty atrocious, but ... read more
Reviews
Die Young – Survival Instinct
Posted July 6, 2005, 12:41 a.m.
Some people consider hardcore music to be quite contrived. And if you look at it from their point of view, they have a compelling argument. ... read more
Reviews
Our Final Say – Same Mistakes
Posted July 3, 2005, 4 p.m.
The state of a Connecticut certainly has a grasp on the whole posi-hardcore revival trend that is sweeping the hardcore nation. Despite the state's minute ... read more
Reviews
Donnybrook – Lions in this Game
Posted June 29, 2005, 4 p.m.
Donnybrook take their namesake from a famous festival in Ireland that is notorious for its brawls. So taking that into account, it isn't a surprise ... read more
Reviews
Playing Enemy – I Was Your City
Posted June 26, 2005, 5:15 a.m.
The members of Playing Enemy certainly have an impressive resume of musical ventures in which they have been previously involved: Rorschach, Kiss it Goodbye, Deadguy, ... read more
Reviews
Torche – Torche
Posted June 21, 2005, 4 p.m.
Whenever I am having a discussion of music with friends, which happens more often then I'd like to admit, for music is my sole sense ... read more
Reviews
These Days – These Days
Posted June 15, 2005, 4 p.m.
"Hey, these dudes are seriously pissed." That's probably the initial thought that comes to mind when listening to These Days debut full-length. Yes indeed, the ... read more
Reviews
Folsom – If You're a Viper
Posted May 30, 2005, 4 p.m.
Last year Folsom released their debut full-length through Westcoast Worldwide Records, a label that I would describe as a "word of mouth label." The larger ... read more
Reviews
Fall Out Boy – From Under the Cork Tree
Posted May 25, 2005, 4:43 a.m.
Selling out. Trying something new. Maturing. Call it what you will, but a substantial number of underground artists have become fairly well-known after changing up ... read more
Reviews
Time for Change – Profound
Posted May 18, 2005, 4 p.m.
There was a time long long ago when Victory Records put out quality hardcore releases by bands like Integrity, The Path of Resistance, and Snapcase ... read more
Reviews
Enola Grey – Cabal
Posted May 15, 2005, 4 p.m.
Beginning a band is no easy task, there are many pressures involved with the entire process. Those pressures intensify when you're coming from a previous ... read more
Reviews
Pride Kills – Deep in the Heart
Posted May 9, 2005, 1:48 p.m.
I was having a conversation the other day with a close friend. We were discussing music, as we normally do, and I started quoting some ... read more
Reviews
The Warriors – War is Hell
Posted May 2, 2005, 4 p.m.
Three months back I attempted to review War is Hell, but something more pressing came up to displace the debut full-length from The Warriors from ... read more
Reviews
Feersum Ennjin – Feersum Ennjin
Posted April 27, 2005, 10:43 a.m.
Feersum Ennjin is the work of essentially one man with the assistance of a few close friends. All the songs were written by former Tool ... read more
Reviews
Above this Fire – In Perspective
Posted April 24, 2005, 11:03 p.m.
Above this Fire is a band that I have known since their very inception, a band that I have been able to watch as they ... read more
Reviews
The Locust – Safety Second, Body Last
Posted April 19, 2005, 4 p.m.
On hearing of The Locust's signing to Ipecac, one might be inclined to call this an unexpected pairing. But if you were to take into ... read more
Reviews
Pelican – March into the Sea
Posted April 11, 2005, 6:46 p.m.
What's the point of an introduction? They really just delay the reader from getting to what they really care about: the actual review. I could ... read more
Reviews
Jesu – Jesu
Posted April 10, 2005, 11:27 p.m.
A year ago, Jesu was only a blip on the radar for most of the music world. And then, as if out of nowhere, Justin ... read more
Reviews
Shotpointblank – Heart of a Disbeliever
Posted April 7, 2005, 4:31 a.m.
The stereotypical US citizen knows very little about Australia. In fact, what little knowledge they do have was likely learned from two sources: their grade ... read more
Reviews
Fantômas – Suspended Animation
Posted April 4, 2005, 5:08 a.m.
As a youth, my Saturday mornings were characterized by two things: tuning in to watch the newest episode of my favorite cartoons and eating as ... read more
Reviews
General Patton vs The X-ecutioners – General Patton vs The X-ecutioners
Posted March 29, 2005, 3 p.m.
Each morning as I make my way to work, I find myself flipping through the various local radio stations and select one based upon my ... read more
Reviews
Cursed – II
Posted March 24, 2005, 5:53 a.m.
Cursed - the movie or the band? Well considering one is likely a story lifted from a Goosebumps book and transferred to the filmscreen, I ... read more
Reviews
Queens of the Stone Age – Lullabies to Paralyze
Posted March 20, 2005, 4 p.m.
Before Lullabies to Paralyze could even be committed to tape, frontman Josh Homme was faced with several important choices. And none was going to be ... read more
Reviews
The Joy Circuit – EP1
Posted March 14, 2005, 4 p.m.
The Joy Circuit formed out of a unique situation; they were the backing band Ken Andrews hired on for his most recent space/indie/rock outfit Year ... read more
Reviews
Repercussion – And the Winner is...
Posted March 10, 2005, 7:34 a.m.
While this album has been out for a little while now, it's somewhat coincidental that I am reviewing it as television is graced with The ... read more
Reviews
Dead Hearts – Dead Hearts
Posted March 7, 2005, 6 a.m.
The melding of hardcore and rock-n-roll seems to be quite the rave as of late. So when you have a sudden influx of bands taking ... read more
Reviews
Red Sparowes – At The Soundless Dawn
Posted Feb. 27, 2005, 11:04 a.m.
Even though Red Sparowes is a new project, they didn't have much difficulty making a name for themselves. Neurosis visual-effects man Josh Graham and Isis ... read more
Reviews
Fordirelifesake – Dance.Pretend.Forget.Defend
Posted Feb. 20, 2005, 4 p.m.
Henry Rollins had this to say about being in a band in his book Do I Come Here Often: Black Coffee Blues Pt. 2: "I ... read more
Reviews
Codeseven – Dancing Echoes / Dead Sounds
Posted Feb. 17, 2005, 8:58 a.m.
A lot of albums are released during the course of a year. Hell, even if you rule out all the albums that you know you ... read more
Reviews
...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead – Worlds Apart
Posted Feb. 7, 2005, 4 p.m.
Vocalist Conrad Keely poses a question on the album's title track; "What's the future of Rock-n-Roll?" A rhetorical question? Perhaps, but he chooses to answers ... read more
Reviews
Let it Die – Stick to Your Guns
Posted Feb. 6, 2005, 9:38 a.m.
The city of Detroit has a bad reputation on the streets of, well, the entire United States. It's known as a dirty, crime-ridden city full ... read more
Reviews
Kaada & Patton – Romances
Posted Jan. 26, 2005, 10:17 a.m.
By now everyone is familiar with "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon," that fun movie trivia game that is ever-so-often used as a conversation stimulator. Well ... read more
Reviews
Instilled – Unfinished Business
Posted Jan. 15, 2005, 4 p.m.
The city of Atlanta is known for its output of southern fried rap and hip hop MC's like Outkast, Ludacris, and Jermaine Dupri. But there ... read more
Reviews
Legs Up / My War – Split
Posted Jan. 11, 2005, 12:20 p.m.
Split releases are a breed that can be difficult to review. Do I review each band's portion separately, or do I give the entire release ... read more
Reviews
With Resistance / Twenty Inch Burial – Split
Posted Jan. 10, 2005, 4 p.m.
Though both bands play their own variations of metalcore, this split release is an unlikely partnering. While With Resistance hail from New Jersey, Twenty Inch ... read more
Reviews
Hoods vs. Freya – Split
Posted Jan. 9, 2005, 4 p.m.
East coast and west coast heavyweights collide on this split release from two under the radar acts in today's metal/hardcore scene. Hoods and Freya attempt ... read more
Reviews
Life Long Tragedy – Destined for Anything
Posted Jan. 6, 2005, 4 p.m.
The way the underground music scene, namely hardcore, functions is vastly different from the days before the existence of the Internet. Gone are the days ... read more
Reviews
Isis – Oceanic Remixes Volume IV
Posted Jan. 5, 2005, 6:28 a.m.
The time has finally come. Originally scheduled for a release in November, printing and pressing delays pushed the album's release back to January. Fortunately we ... read more
Reviews
Nirvana – With the Lights Out
Posted Dec. 12, 2004, 4 p.m.
Shortly after Kurt Cobain's death in 1994, a local college radio station DJ took it upon himself to air an entire show of Nirvana material, ... read more
Reviews
Helmet – Size Matters
Posted Nov. 28, 2004, 4 p.m.
Helmet falls into the category of bands that had the unfortunate luck of spawning a group of bands that were nothing more than third-rate rip-offs. ... read more
Reviews
Lair of the Minotaur – Carnage
Posted Nov. 21, 2004, 4 p.m.
It will take roughly 20-30 seconds of Carnage for you to come to the conclusion that it's no surprise that Lair of the Minotaur's debut ... read more
Reviews
The Rise – Reclamation Process
Posted Nov. 13, 2004, 4 p.m.
Someone call the RIAA because I stole an album. That's right, I downloaded the entire Reclamation Process album using a downloading program that shall rename ... read more
Reviews
These Arms Are Snakes – Oxeneers or The Lion Sleeps When Its Antelopes Go Home
Posted Nov. 4, 2004, 7:22 a.m.
The anticipation of the release of a new album is always a difficult burden to bear. That burden is only intensified when said album comes ... read more
Reviews
Oceansize – Music for Nurses
Posted Oct. 25, 2004, 4 p.m.
For Oceansize, 2004 has been quite a delightful year. The band saw the re-release of their debut full-length, Effloresce, here in the US as well ... read more
Reviews
Isis – Panopticon
Posted Oct. 16, 2004, 4 p.m.
Despite what the calendar may tell you, Christmas has arrived early this year, though much earlier than expected. To my doorstep came a US Postal ... read more
Reviews
Old Man Gloom – Christmas
Posted Oct. 13, 2004, 11:49 a.m.
After an extensive delay, the rabid and hopeful fans sporting various Hydrahead affiliated t-shirts can finally rest. Old Man Gloom's Christmas brings an end to ... read more
Reviews
Isis – Oceanic Remixes Volume III
Posted Oct. 3, 2004, 4 p.m.
While this may seem repetitive to say, before you listen to Volume III, it would be in your best interest to purchase the band's last ... read more
Reviews
These Days – Death Sentence
Posted Sept. 29, 2004, 4 p.m.
Before we begin I'd like to officially admit that I have a problem. I have an obsession with the Nor Cal hardcore scene. So if ... read more
Reviews
Mare – Mare
Posted Sept. 22, 2004, 6:45 a.m.
Maybe I am blinded by my love for Hydrahead Records, but it seems to me that as of late the label has been churning out ... read more
Reviews
Set Your Goals – Set Your Goals
Posted Aug. 25, 2004, 5:07 p.m.
Recently, the scene of hardcore-punk has become a stagnant cesspool of monotony. Out of the thousands of bands playing "hardcore" music, there is only a ... read more
Reviews
Folsom – Folsom
Posted Aug. 12, 2004, 7:52 a.m.
With the way things are going in the music world these days, it should only be a matter of months before Folsom is the most ... read more
Reviews
Isis – Oceanic Remixes Volume II
Posted Aug. 11, 2004, 4 p.m.
As I did with the review of Volume I, I will recommend that those of you who have not heard Isis, in particular the band's ... read more
Reviews
Terror – One with the Underdogs
Posted Aug. 3, 2004, 5:18 a.m.
Terror might be the only band that could have had a successful career in music without playing a single show. The band's demo made its ... read more
Reviews
The Dillinger Escape Plan – Miss Machine
Posted July 26, 2004, 4:43 a.m.
The Dillinger Escape Plan (DEP) certainly have been enjoying the good life since releasing their last full-length, Calculating Infinity, back in 1998. The band was ... read more
Reviews
Oceansize – Effloresce
Posted July 18, 2004, 4:42 p.m.
A lot of my friends feel they have a duty to recommend me music. I don't mean to sound conceited, but I'm quite an educated ... read more
Reviews
Cast Aside – The Struggle
Posted July 12, 2004, 4 p.m.
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 ... read more
Reviews
Meshuggah – I
Posted July 8, 2004, 9:46 a.m.
Meshuggah is one of those bands that make me want to grow my hair out and head-bang for hours on end. When I was around ... read more
Reviews
Neurosis – The Eye of Every Storm
Posted July 1, 2004, 3:41 p.m.
Over the years, and it has been years for them, Neurosis have slowly developed from the melodic death metal juggernaut that graced us with the ... read more
Reviews
Minus the Bear – They Make Beer Commercials Like This
Posted June 28, 2004, 2:52 p.m.
It was roughly a year and half ago at the South by Southwest Music Festival that I was able to witness one of the greatest ... read more
Reviews
Your Enemies Friends – You are Being Videotaped
Posted June 22, 2004, 4 p.m.
Buddyhead Records is a label fueled by hype. Your Enemies Friends released their debut effort The Wiretap EP on their label. So naturally I was ... read more
Reviews
Beastie Boys – To the 5 Boroughs
Posted June 20, 2004, 4:08 p.m.
A lot has transpired since the Beastie Boys released their last full-length Hello Nasty nearly six years ago. George W. Bush was elected President afterthe ... read more
Reviews
Isis – Oceanic Remixes Volume I
Posted June 16, 2004, 4:11 p.m.
I am going to assume for your own sake that you are familiar with Isis, the doom-sludge-metal outfit that saw an overwhelmingly positive response to ... read more
Reviews
Secret Chiefs 3 – Book of Horizons
Posted June 7, 2004, 4 p.m.
For many, Secret Chiefs 3 is considered to be "Mr. Bungle minus Mike Patton." While I feel this description does a grave injustice to the ... read more
Reviews
Harkonen & These Arms Are Snakes – Like a Virgin
Posted June 1, 2004, 3:11 a.m.
When I was in the sixth grade I had a birthday party and for some reason one of my classmates, his name was Seth, gave ... read more
Reviews
The End – Within Dividia
Posted May 26, 2004, 4 p.m.
Whether you call it tech-metal or mathcore, it's a style of music that has captivated the head-bangers of the world. Gone are the days of ... read more
Reviews
Silent Drive – Love Is Worth It
Posted May 23, 2004, 4 p.m.
In my circle of friends, I am the only one who doesn't find anything remotely interesting about Bane. So what does that have to do ... read more
Reviews
Die Young – The Message
Posted May 19, 2004, 5:01 p.m.
Back in the mid 1990's, there was one place to turn to for hardcore, and that was the thriving mecca of New York City. There ... read more
Reviews
TV on the Radio – Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
Posted May 18, 2004, 4 p.m.
Young Liars was one of the most exceptional releases that I have heard in recent years. It caught me completely off guard. Based on the ... read more
Reviews
Dissolute – Demo 2004
Posted May 13, 2004, 4 p.m.
Every city has that one local band that should be signed to a label and off touring Europe because they are that phenomenal. For Cleveland, ... read more
Reviews
Still Crossed – Love and Betrayal
Posted May 12, 2004, 4 p.m.
Growing up in Cleveland I was more than spoiled when it came to hardcore bands: Integrity, The Spudmonsters, Committed, Ringworm, and countless others. I always ... read more
Reviews
Harkonen – Dancing
Posted May 6, 2004, 6:42 p.m.
When I first undertook the task of writing the review for Dancing, I wanted to make sure I did the job right the first time. ... read more
Reviews
With Honor – Heart Means Everything
Posted May 3, 2004, 4:36 p.m.
You know those stickers that they put on the front of CD's that say "For Fans Of.." or "Featuring the Hit Single..."? Well, I have ... read more
Reviews
Clutch – Blast Tyrant
Posted April 30, 2004, 4:17 a.m.
Back on Jam Room Clutch asked the world, "Who wants to rock?" And on the bands sixth full-length, Blast Tyrant, they respond to that question ... read more
Reviews
The Kiss of Death – The Kiss of Death
Posted April 28, 2004, 4:54 p.m.
It wasn't that long ago that I was greeted with the news that hardcore act Turmoil had decided to call it quits. After a tumultuous ... read more
Reviews
Time for Living – The Cheat is Not Dead
Posted April 22, 2004, 4 p.m.
The Bay Area and surrounding areas must have an endless supply of hardcore bands. It seems every week I am discovering a new band from ... read more
Reviews
Kid Kilowatt – Guitar Method
Posted April 18, 2004, 4 p.m.
There are side-projects and then there are supergroups. A side-project is something that a band member fiddles with when they are bored. But a supergroup ... read more
Reviews
Lostprophets – Start Something
Posted April 11, 2004, 4 p.m.
After releasing their debut, The Fake Sound of Progress, Lostprophets have returned with their second album for Columbia Records. On their first effort the band ... read more
Reviews
Skare Tactic – Remember When
Posted April 8, 2004, 4 p.m.
Remember when hardcore music had more in common with punk bands as opposed to metal ones? Remember when hardcore music was concerned with getting a ... read more
Reviews
Murder By Death – Who Will Survive, And What Will Be Left of Them?
Posted April 8, 2004, 3:04 a.m.
I'll be honest right off the bat. The first mention I heard of Murder by Death was when they were making their name change from ... read more
Reviews
27 – Let The Light In
Posted April 5, 2004, 4 p.m.
27 reach beyond simple classification. Combining bits and pieces from indie rock and trip-hop, as well as post-rock and traditional emo, 27 creates their own ... read more
Reviews
Eagles of Death Metal – Peace Love Death Metal
Posted March 31, 2004, 3 p.m.
For those of us that follow the happenings of the music world closely, it seems there is always a release that involves a Queens of ... read more
Reviews
Shockwave – The Ultimate Doom
Posted March 29, 2004, 3 p.m.
There was a time during my childhood when my after-school hours were dominated by sitting in front of the television to catch the latest episode ... read more
Reviews
Onelinedrawing – The Volunteers
Posted March 25, 2004, 4:33 p.m.
Long before the MTV defined "screamo" fad took the music world by storm, there was the underground phenomenon Far, a four-piece outfit from Sacramento, CA. ... read more
Reviews
Error – Error
Posted March 24, 2004, 4 p.m.
It wasn't that long ago that a band released an album entitled The Shape of Punk to Come. While many ignored its principles, others took ... read more
Reviews
Seemless – Seemless
Posted March 23, 2004, 4 p.m.
It's been a while since I heard a new band that played some outright rock-n-roll. Enter Massachusetts natives Seemless and their self-titled debut. Seemless, is ... read more
Reviews
Pride Kills – Life of Hate
Posted March 18, 2004, 1:01 a.m.
While the majority of Texas seems to think that listening to indie rock and "emo" is where all the fun and hype are at, there ... read more
Reviews
Orange Island – Orange Island
Posted March 12, 2004, 12:49 a.m.
Orange Island are one of those bands who have had the unfortunate luck of being horribly mislabeled as emo. A more accurate description of their ... read more
Reviews
Year of the Rabbit – Year of the Rabbit
Posted March 10, 2004, 12:58 a.m.
Before I even begin to go in depth about Year of the Rabbit's major-label debut I want to get one thing clear. I find it ... read more
Reviews
Fantômas – Delirium Cordia
Posted March 4, 2004, 11:54 p.m.
Fantômas is a musical group whose sound can best be described as a schizophrenic adventure through the world of an Alfred Hitchcock thriller. The music ... read more
Reviews
Far From Breaking – The Identity
Posted March 2, 2004, 11:40 p.m.
Every once in a while, a band comes along that reminds you why you ever got into hardcore music. Far From Breaking, a five piece ... read more
Reviews
Premonitions of War – Left In Kowloon
Posted March 1, 2004, 12:19 a.m.
What can I say about Toledo, Ohio? Honestly, I never found anything about the city to be remotely appealing at all. Then again, I might ... read more
Reviews
Keelhaul – Subject to Change Without Notice
Posted Feb. 29, 2004, 10:22 a.m.
Remember when you and your friends formed your first band? It didn't matter what kind of music you were going to play. As long as ... read more
Reviews
Roy – Big City Sin and Small Town Redemption
Posted Feb. 29, 2004, 10:14 a.m.
The whole "ex-members of" marketing campaign is starting to get out of control. The hype that surrounds these types of bands before they even release ... read more
Reviews
Pelican – Australasia
Posted Feb. 29, 2004, 7:19 a.m.
Pelican flirted with my heart earlier this year when they released their self-titled debut. And now with the release of their first full length, Australasia, ... read more
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