Music Reviews of Hardcore, Crust, Post-Hardcore, Metalcore
Band Spotlight
Chiodos
Perhaps no one can explain the sheer ferocity and timid quietness it is better than when vocalist Craig Owens says “we don’t want to let the kids down” when discussing the group’s intense vocals live at shows. Well they never let a single kid down with their vicious assault on the ears and grip on the jugular...
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03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Hardcore, Crust, Post-Hardcore, Metalcore
A Wilhelm Scream — Ruiner Buy it at Amazon
I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about a follow-up album. A Wilhelm Scream lands with “Ruiner”, which builds on the successes of their “Mute Print”. Nitro Records is the lucky label to be able to put out records by this amazing group. Their song arrangements are always clever and spotlight the best parts of punk, metal, hard rock, and screamo for their own brand of skate punk. Chaotic urgent guitars encapsulate the frenetic and melodic vocals while the percussion pops back and forth. All the while their songs are undeniably catchy and danceable. This is one quintet that require both eyes to keep in focus.
- J-Sin
Ten 33 — Nightmare on Grace Street Buy it at Amazon
Richmond sure is quickly getting on the radar outside of its near vicinity. They got their moniker from the police code for “emergency” after being known to some as The Emergency (not to be confused with the band from Morgantown, WV) and Whenever You’re Ready. “Nightmare on Grace Street” was recorded at the infamous Planet Red Studios in Richmond, which has seen great albums recorded by such essentials like Winter Solstice, Scarlett, Black Dahlia Murder, and Down to Nothing. Hardcore veterans will agree that this isn’t one of the many bands who take all the good things about hardcore and destroy them. This is like the days when youth crew wasn’t a trend. Sweet.
- J-Sin
Embrace Today — We Are the Enemy Buy it at Amazon
This four-year old straightedge outfit has been advancing that strain on hardcore and reclaiming it from the masses who mainstreamed it and diluted the talent pool with ‘edge bands who were doing it for the style. Lyrically “We Are the Enemy” is apocalyptic and dark. Each song is a blistering assault on everything you thought you knew and could expect from the hardcore community. The breakdowns seem almost visceral with pummeling and precise accuracy. Be prepared, this album is going to be viewed as one of hardcore’s best this year.
- J-Sin
Modern Life Is War — Witness Buy it at Amazon
After 2003 saw the release of their debut “My Love, My Way”, hardcore kids were excitingly awaiting the new release. Ironically entitled “Witness”, perhaps after the Harrison Ford movie, the album is about the struggles of life in rural America. That’s not often a subject theme for hardcore that traditionally talks more of struggles in the urban community. But farm kids know how to rock it too. Set to a blistering pace, “Witness” catapults through traditional hardcore and does so with a venomous look at the many trends that have diluted the talent pool in the genre but never wavers from their own unique take on the sound, which is precisely why the hardcore elites have paid so much attention to this dynamic group.
- J-Sin
Blessing the Hogs — The Twelve Gauge Solution Buy it at Amazon
A lot of detractors would laugh at the title as some sort of fake tough guy thing. But Blessing the Hogs is much more than that. Perhaps their biggest story lies in Billy Anderson, a band member who has been behind the board (he also recorded this album for good measure) for such luminaries as Neurosis, Sick of It All, Melvins, Mr. Bungle, Brutal Truth, Fantomas, Kiss It Goodbye, Unsane, and so much more. But underneath all that is one truly sick and brutal metal band. Their sound is a pummeling breed of heavy metal that redefines what everyone thought they knew about the more metallic edges of hardcore’s metal branding. Included on this enhanced CD are two rad covers of Quicksand’s “Fazer” and the Melvins’ “Hogleg”, which offer a glimpse into the unique influences of the band. Check ‘em out.
- J-Sin
This Moment — Finding a Voice In the Dark Buy it at Amazon
I’m really getting tired of metalcore. Whether or not it’s the bands talent isn’t the issue. What I’m tired of are all the “core” kids who feel it entirely necessary to rip on the genre and dub it “mallcore”, “fashioncore”, or some other ridiculous thing; after all, kids who have enough time to spend dissing bands probably don’t do much else with their insecure lives. But back to This Moment. They employ your standard breaky metalcore stuff with melodic parts and heavy beatdown riffs that twist and climb forth. Produced by Paul Miner of Atreyu, Thrice, and Death by Stereo fame, “Finding a Voice in the Dark” is an attempt by a band to try to find a handhold in an already bloated genre. If I was in this band I’d suggest that they stick with the screamy parts more as the melodic singing just hits off notes all too often.
- J-Sin
Cipher — Children of God's Fire Buy it at Amazon
Recorded by Matt Walbroehl (Boys Night Out, Skycamefalling) at Sound Zone Studios, “Children of God’s Fire” is a mathematically precise chaotic metal album. Starting off the album oddly anti-climatic with a sermon showcasing the band’s socio-political bent, “Children of God’s Fire” is prepared badgering of skulls and broken bottles set to the tune of chaotic hardcore/metal/rapcore. I’ve loved this band since I first heard them and they just keep getting better. Stirring in a mixture of Candiria, 25 ta Life, Bad Brains, and Meshuggah, Cipher promises to be one of those bands that sticks in your mind hours after their show. Featured in the documentary “Afropunk”, which is about blacks in punk and hardcore, Cipher also enlists the help of MF Doom to spit some lyrics on “Verse vs. The Virus”. Grab this up now.
- J-Sin
Adria — Concealer Buy it at Amazon
Ack. Vocals sneer throughout the album traversing everywhere but the key that the song is being played in. “Concealer” is a raucous display of the sort of post-hardcore emotional indie rock that has been the facet of seemingly everything heavy and melodic these days. While their songs are quite strong, their vocalist is not and that just absolutely kills this band. It’s a shame because they’ve really got some great riffs and catchy hooks to back everything up with but when the vocalist attempts to sing it is a total nasal show stopper.
- J-Sin
Fire When Ready — As the Sky Stared Down with Angry Clouds!!! Buy it at Amazon
Art Injection Records should be proud that Fire When Ready’s album will be the label’s debut. It’s a strong post-hardcore album that seemingly is a concept album about the many facets of life and its struggles, hardships, and glorious rewards. Aggressive guitars and bass thrash about while the vocalist moans melodically with a jarring thunderous backdrop of percussion to propel it all to the forefront of your speakers. Produced by Michael Birnbaum and Chris Bittner (Codeseven, Bad Brains, Straylight Run, and Coheed and Cambria), the album is a head first dive into a pool of melody and harmony with interesting steps one way or the other that might not be what you’d expect from this quality live band. Check them out live but even more importantly pick up this album and stand by this great start-up label.
- J-Sin
Trophy Scars — Goodnight Alchemy Buy it at Amazon
Most bands when they reach their two year status begin to have those issues that seem to plague all young bands and plenty of them just wind up breaking up. Trophy Scars instead after having extensively toured the US and sold over 2,000 units of their self-released debut EP, are continuing to make a dent in the post-hardcore world and look to stomp their name into the stomachs of all the doubters. Fiercely melodic guitars strain from the left and right speakers as the vocals bounce from screeches to harmonious mutterings that fans of Thursday and Fugazi would love. Brandishing a devilishly clever knack for explosive hardcore pummeling, Trophy Scars are one band that you’ve just got to hear.
- J-Sin
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