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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Skinny Puppy - Mythmaker
Converge - No Heroes
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The Geeks - Every Time We Fall
Limbeck - Limbeck
WinterKids - Memoirs
03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of Hardcore, Crust, Post-Hardcore, Metalcore
Seizure Crypt — Hello My Name Is...Madness Buy it at Amazon
Goofy thrash metal meets hardcore punk with a dual vocal attack. They try to be a little too ‘bad ass’ and just sound like a bunch of flunkies. New York City hardcore has produced a hell of a lot more worthwhile acts.
- J-Sin
A Thorn For Every Heart — It's Hard to Move You Buy it at Amazon
Okay so besides the ridiculously emo name, A Thorn For Every Heart actually isn’t all that bad of a band. Sure they’re as fashion-core as it gets with the backwards brushed hair and what-not. But if you look past their looks, you’ll find a band whose sound is catchy as hell with affectionate and passionate vocals. The riffs are bright and poppy throughout this Matt Squire (Panic! At the Disco, Daphne Loves Derby, The Junior Varsity, Hit the Lights) produced gem. Exploding guitars are double-up with frenetic stylistic effects and intelligent songwriting. Good stuff.
- J-Sin
Kill Your Idols — Something Started Here Buy it at Amazon
Long Island hardcore legends pulled out all the stops on this new album. Collecting up a bunch of their rare tracks as well as unreleased, out of print, and 7” songs, Kill Your Idols puts out the perfect hardcore anthem album just in time for them to call it quits. Unlike the more fashionable kids in hardcore these days, Kill Your Idols stayed true to the kindred hardcore spirit with blistering speedy songs, crunchy sing-a-longs, and insane tempos. R.I.P.
- J-Sin
Token Entry — Jaybird & Weight of the World Buy it at Amazon
Originally released on Roadrunner’s imprint label Hawker Records back in ’88 and ’90, “Jaybird” and “Weight of the World” were classic hardcore anthems that paved the way for countless followers in the NYC hardcore scene. Blistering fast drumming and bleated vocals set the tempo for one of the heroes of the CBGB scene in the early ‘90’s. Interestingly enough their singer Tim Chunks has been Billy Joe Armstrong’s (Green Day) guitar tech since ’95.
- J-Sin
Ruiner — Prepare to Be Let Down Buy it at Amazon
Ruiner’s debut juggernaut full-length strips out the middleman. “Prepare to Be Let Down” is a heavy excuse to go ape-shit. Influences as divergent as Converge, Green Day, and Minor Threat implored Ruiner to form and conquer the dark side of hardcore. Breakneed speed is all Ruiner seems to know as they blow past everyone with their superb bass-heavy grooves and filthy sludgy breakdowns. You’ll fuck love it if you’re into hardcore.
- J-Sin
It's Casual — The New Los Angeles Buy it at Amazon
Via hardcore punk, It’s Casual attempts to musically document the big City of Angels. Written while tackling public transportation and gazing out at the vast urban steam bath, “The New Los Angeles” is somewhere between a Black Flag b-side and a Fu Manchu unreleased track. Loud and aggressive, this is a band fueled by kerosene, whiskey, and lots of throat lozenges.
- J-Sin
To the Lions — Baptism of Fire Buy it at Amazon
Kinetic guitars blast you off in to old school hardcore heaven. To the Lions are from Ontario, Canada and feature former members of Grade, Confine, and SeventyEightDays. A quintet that knows that hardcore isn’t a fashion show, To the Lions brings us back to the glory days of old hardcore ala Undertow with passionate breakdowns, chugging guitar anthems, and sternly worded yells.
- J-Sin
Daymares — Can't Get Us All Buy it at Amazon
Chaotic hardcore punk that’s right out of the Cro-Mags playbook, “Can’t Get Us All” will appeal to the old school hardcore crowd as well as those newbies who have re-discovered the scene. Having only been together for a handful of months, Daymares is incredibly impressive. Imagine Damnation AD hooking up with Entombed and Cro-Mags and you’ve got a feel for Daymares.
- J-Sin
Death Before Dishonor — Count Me In Buy it at Amazon
Sweet a new Death Before Dishonor disc, I mumbled to myself with excitement when I ripped through the package. These hardcore fuckers from Boston don’t disappoint either with their brand of classic hardcore and punk. Picking up the mantle from Hatebreed, Death Before Dishonor boasts gang vocals, huge breakdowns, and frenzied guitar assaults. Song arrangements are once again a focal point throughout “Count Me In”. Knowing the style of Boston hardcore is important to Death Before Dishonor which is why they choose famed producer Jim Siegel (Dropkick Murphys, Blood For Blood) who once again turned in a brilliant effort.
- J-Sin
Chasing Victory — Fiends Buy it at Amazon
Chasing Victory is somewhere between melodic post-hardcore and screamo. Melodic vocals hum along with haunting high notes that quickly turn into bloodcurdling yells and screams. While it’s a formula that a lot of groups are partaking into with mainstream acceptance of groups like the Used and Thrice, Chasing Victory can rank among the better offerings with their energetic delivery and thoughtful song arrangements. The guitars are the true standouts with shoegazing atmospheres and churning distorted wails bludgeoning you from the inside out.
- J-Sin
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