It's been an interesting road for Lords since their formation by Chris Owens about five years ago. Initially boasting members of underrated The National Acrobat and other notable Louisville groups, from the get-go the band delivered an unrelenting concoction of noisy hardcore that the city's scene is often noted for. Along the way members have come and gone, most recently picking up former members of Coliseum and Lickgoldensky for their latest incarnation while Owens has been the one mainstay. After some recent label difficulties - which are evident once you pop this CD in and listen to the first track - Lords return with their second full-length. And on their latest release the Louisville-based outfit continues to develop the plan set forth on their first EP's as well as the preceding Swords. Fuck All Y'all Motherfuckers picks right up with they left off on their last recording. "Robbed, Raped and Beaten" is a ruckus raising minute slab of noisy metal-accented hardcore. The riffs are scorching and the rhythm section rolls like an out of control eighteen-wheeler. "Why I Don't Give a Fuck" is equally as destructive on the ears as it continues to assault. This pretty much sums up the … Read more
Photographs From the Shoebox is a split between two Philadelphia artists that mean a lot to punk music. Mischief Brew … Read more
If the name isn't clear enough for you, the Swingin' Utters' new record, Hatest Grits: B-Sides and Bullshit, does not … Read more
With the likes of T-Pain and Lil Jon being the pop music representatives of hip-hop, it seems that the narcissistic … Read more
I thought rock was a dead scene. The radio repeatedly fed me the term since my early teens, pushing different … Read more
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Oh my god, where should I start with this one? Saying you’re something doesn’t make you that thing! Just because this band smokes weed does not make them the genre “stoner punk.” LMI process elements of hardcore, punk and stoner music. But not the parts I enjoy about those sounds. Their logo and various cover illustrations are the most honest and powerful part of this release. For that reason, I’m excited to see what this band is doing in five years. When their imaginary starts to match the sounds coming out of the speakers, LMI will become far more interesting.The vocals are an abrasive after-thought. I have to keep turning it off to be able to think and write. Because the guitarist is seemingly uncomfortable singing and playing, the vocals … Read more
Here's another band that's right up my alley. I know.. I love fellow SPB writer Zach and how he pigeonholes himself with review after review of singer-songwriter types that used be in punk rock type bands - and those bands usually have beards. Nice well groomed beards of awe and lore. I have a beard. One time I was sitting … Read more
"To sleep, perchance to dream - ay, there's the rub." Hamlet (III, i, 65-68) Man's relationship to his dreams has been the subject of his art forever. Nothing else seems so beyond our realm of control yet so integrally personal - it is us but outside of us. And so, myriad records have been made in reflection of that ponderous … Read more
Oh, the wasted potential. Sweet, sweet potential, flushed away like nothing. The Acacia Strain has been building a name by pummeling faces with their relentless breakdowns and searing guitar leads, appealing to the scuzzy kids you see at shows who have their hoodies up and can't wait to do a spinkick right into your innocent crotch. Except they found a … Read more
Sometimes bands lose sight of what they originally set out to accomplish. They get whipped up in their popularity and compromise themselves, and in turn can pander to a wider audience for fear of losing their reputation. Protestant is not likely to be one of those bands. This Milwaukee hardcore crossover outfit promotes their DIY roots, and they have no … Read more
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 three brand new tracks. Led by guitarist/vocalist Chris Vandeviver, Sakes Alive!! deliver the goods yet again with these three songs. "I'm Religious" is jamming punk rock anthem filled with driving rhythms and sweet guitar riffings. … Read more
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 limited vinyl release. Following a short intro track "Purgatory" slams you in face like an unexpected punch. You get clobbered with searing riffs and throaty yells. It's a slamming grove that doesn't stop, save for … Read more
Like Wolves is the latest product from the upstate regions of New York - Rochester/Buffalo/Syracuse. This record is the band's demo recording pressed on a limited silk-screened 7". What you get from Like Wolves is fast and aggressive hardcore with metal-tinged accents. The music is somewhat gritty and the production is raw; this suits Like Wolves' sound perfectly. And then … Read more
Eyes Averted return with a four-song EP that the band is once again self-releasing, something they're used to after self-releasing their debut album back in 2006. These four songs continue the band's display of technical abilities but with a slightly different approach than what was displayed on their debut. The four songs still boast a technical hardcore sound akin to … Read more
Bay Area stalwarts Murder Practice return with their second full-length, this time they've abandoned the world of plastic and CD's for vinyl (each record comes with a free digital version of the album). Prophecies of Doom shows significant growth for the group as they've matured and left behind the more cliché mosh-forward sound they offered on their debut. Don't worry … Read more
Copper Lung Records strikes with another great find in Atlanta, GA's Gray Ghost. The five-some melds together atmospheric post-rock, meandering drone-metal, and dissonant hardcore on this, their debut offering. This 10" has five tracks that'll please fans of Isis and Cult of Luna but also will draw in some hardcore fans as well. And they've got a new record that … Read more
Caestles is a six-person conglomeration of two bands that have fused together to form one entity. And when you listen to the band's self-released EP, We Have Built a New God, this makes perfect sense. The four songs that comprise this EP takes equal parts atmospheric and electronic-based indie/rock and devastating crushing metalcore. Points of this EP remind me of … Read more
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 genre. They've got the fast and aggressive riffs and the coarse screaming you'd expect. But they also incorporate melodic and post-hardcore elements into their songs thanks to some sweet guitar work. You've got this Embrace-esque … Read more
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 reminded of The Jesus Lizard, Sonic Youth, late Black Flag, and other noise-punk outfits. You've got that down and dirty approach to punk with droney riffs and the little flairs of grunge and metal inserted … Read more
Manchester is the latest album by Avail frontman Tim Barry. Barry has always had a very distinctive voice. Not just vocally, but lyrically and thematically. So as he offers up his second proper solo effort, Manchester, we are once again taken along for a ride with his slightly sweet and bitter, sometimes gravelly voice as he weaves tales of soldiers … Read more
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