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Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

Wait in Vain

Seasons
Think Fast! (2008)

When you look at the list of previous ventures from the members of Wait in Vain, it's hard to not get excited. Frontman Timm McIntosh was a founding member of Trial, as well as spending some time with Champion. Bassist (and now guitarist) Roger Kilburn was in Sinking Ships among others, guitarist Chris Jacobsen did some time with Set Your Goals, and drummer Alexei Rodriquez has played with Trial and Walls of Jericho. That's quite a list! But don't let those musical endeavors hold back what Wait in Vain has to offer. Seasons is the Seattle straightedge band's debut full-length, and first recording since a demo back in 2005. After being plagued with numerous lineup difficulties the band finally has a sturdy cast to deliver its message with. This recording is ten tracks of 90's inspired metallic hardcore that is complimented by lyrics that are equally as thought provoking. For the get go of "Another Year" it is undeniable that there is an influence from several of the members previous efforts, particularly Trial. But with McIntosh being the principal songwriter then and now, it is almost expected. The music is aggressive with a definite chug of 90's in it, but … Read more

The Architects

Vice
Anodyne (2008)

You know that Less Than Jake song, "All My Best Friends Are Metalheads?" Well, just keep that in mind for … Read more

Cult of Luna

Eternal Kingdom
Earache (2008)

After four albums of progressive refinement of their compositional abilities, sound, themes, and overall work, Cult of Luna is releasing … Read more

Men as Trees

Weltschmerz
Daijoubu (2008)

Richard "Dick" Proenneke died in 2003 after living alone in the Alaskan wilderness for roughly thirty years. He built his … Read more

Bongripper

Hate Ashbury
Independent (2008)

It's easy for people to dismiss a band like Bongripper. Instrumental doom metal isn't the most glamorous business out there, … Read more

Melon

Mirage
Milltown (2007)

I really love this kind of music but it has to be the most difficult thing for the musicians themselves … Read more

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One from the archives

Mando Diao

Ode to Ochrasy
Mute (2007)

What if The Libertines were basically decent guys? What about the early Rolling Stones, or Guns N' Roses, or any of the bands who just want to play some rock and fucking roll? I mean like if they didn't ruin their girlfriend's lives and if they didn't smoke crack and if they maybe mowed the lawn for their moms once in a while. What if all of that was true but they still wanted to play rrrrrock? What would they sound like? After listening to the new Mando Diao album, Ode to Ochrasy, we know the answer. Without a little darkness, rock and roll is kind of... boring. The album actually provides its own explanation for this obstinate innocence. The last song, "Ochrasy," explains the whole thing this way: I'm … Read more

More album reviews

Samamidon

All is Well
Bedroom Community (2008)

Whether or not a band is unknown is pretty subjective. While I was at the Portraits of Past reunion show in Berkeley recently, many passers-by and uninformed parents continued to ask who was playing. They saw the line of 500-plus kids and couldn't believe that this line was for a band they had never heard of. In this case, sometimes … Read more

Bar Kokhba

Lucifer: Book of Angels Vol. 10
Tzadik (2008)

On the heels of Xaphan: Book of Angels Vol. 9 (well, preceding it, if you wanna get all chronological with the release dates) we have Lucifer: Book of Angels Vol. 10, the most well known of the fallen angels of which all previous volumes are titled. Presenting this latest group of John Zorn compositions is Bar Kokhba, an ensemble of … Read more

Nine Inch Nails

The Slip
The Null Corporation (2008)

My first ever disclaimer: I like Nine Inch Nails. I thought the little 'Art is Resistance' campaign made for Year Zero (the best album of 2007!) was the most entertaining thing ever. I assault people who mention to me, just in case I hadn't heard about it, that Nine Inch Nails actually covered a Johnny Cash song (although, they must … Read more

Trap Them / Extreme Noise Terror

Split
Deathwish Inc. (2008)

Admittedly, this is one hell of a split record. Seriously, it would be interesting to have been a fly on the wall when this idea was tossed around by the guilty parties. Starting with Extreme Noise Terror because of their longevity (having formed in England in 1985 and still going) and place in punk and grind history (with Napalm Death … Read more

One Day as a Lion

One Day as a Lion
Anti (2008)

The background behind the formation of One Day as a Lion isn't really well, there at all. It pretty much consists of a day when Anti Records made the announcement that they would be releasing this EP. Boasting Zach de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine/Inside Out and Jon Theodore of The Mars Volta, there is obviously going to … Read more

The Epochs

The Epochs
Rebel Group (2008)

Family love really seems to pull through for a lot of musicians as of late (i.e. Burbis, Teenage Millionaire). There must be some odd bio-chemical phenomena going on because the Holladay brothers of D.C. based pop-rock opera, The Epochs, have demonstrated a congratulating first step with their debut self-titled release. The core of The Epochs family is based in D.C. … Read more

The Melvins

Nude With Boots
Ipecac (2008)

Rogers and Hammerstein, Salieri and Mozart, DeNiro and Scorcese. What makes a great partnership? Is it differences in opinion that compliment the end result as a whole? Is it a common interest in achieving the same goal? Is it true artistic collaboration and respect of each others' ideas and vision? The partnership between The Melvins and Ipecac Recordings would seem … Read more

You May Die in the Desert / Gifts from Enola

Harmonic Motion: Volume 1
Differential (2008)

Harmonic Motion: Volume 1 is the start of a Differential Records series aiming to bring together like-sounding instrumental groups. The record starts off with "The Sound of Titans," a twelve minute atmospheric piece with several ups and downs in sound levels. For the most part, the song is more of the soundscape structure with picking, hypnotic guitars but, in its … Read more

Trash Talk

Trash Talk
Trash Talk Collective (2008)

Trash Talk, the hype band come hardcore mainstays through relentless touring, have a lot of eyes and ears on them with the release of their self-titled album. Adhering to the D.I.Y. ethics that are the backbone of punk, the Sacramento band opted to release their newest album themselves, leaving behind Deathwish Inc., one of the largest labels in hardcore. If … Read more

Razzle Dazzle

Strictly Saucers
Lockin Out (2008)

Detroit, Michigan's Razzle Dazzle (or Rzl Dzl for the vowely impaired) is two dudes named Will and Haroun who basically just want you and everyone to rage. They aren't asking for Molotov cocktail type carnage as you try and smash the "man" in an anarchist state of complete disobedience. Nope, I think Razzle Dazzle's drink of choice is probably whatever … Read more

This Time Next Year

The Longest Way Home
Run for Cover (2008)

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 my ear, but also my heart when their demo recording landed in my mailbox. I was so infatuated with their sound that I literally put my money where my mouth was when I released A … Read more

Lafcadio

Kibosh
Joyful Noise (2008)

I truly don't know what to make of this band. Some reviewers might like to scope out the band before claiming the promo (Yes, that's how it works. Sorry to pull back the curtain kids.) But others, like myself, tend to claim a CD with only a rudimentary understanding of what they sound like - usually according to their PR … Read more

Annihilation Time

III: Tales of the Ancient Age
Tee Pee (2008)

With fuzzy riffs, elongated solos and twin guitar leads ala Maiden, this is a Hessian's dream. On III: Tales of the Ancient Age, Annihilation Time leaves the D.R.I. thrash influence in a cloud of bong smoke to focus on their shredding. That is, when they aren't ingesting chemicals, breaking bottles, or diving into the broken glass. Nearly every song on … Read more

Smoke & Mirrors

Flash Thunder
Independent (2008)

Erie hardcore. Ninety-nine out of a hundred of you instantly thought of either Brother's Keeper or xDisciplex AD. While these two groups have since fallen by the wayside, there is still life in the ol' Lake Effect scene. Groups like Jesus Wept, War of Ages, Hank Jones, and Taste the Steel have all made names for themselves and their city … Read more

Reviews by score
Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)