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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)

Killing the Dream

Fractures
Deathwish Inc. (2008)

I'm going to be straight up; Fractures is the most anticipated album of 2008 for me. Sure, there were other albums that I have really been looking forward to hearing, but the latest from Killing the Dream is at the top of my list. And the Northern California hardcore outfit does not disappoint with this their second full-length recording. After undergoing major lineup changes just after the release of their last full-length, In Place, Apart, I'd be lying if I didn't say I had concerns as to what this album was going to sound like. When you lose your main songwriters, things can sometimes change drastically. For Killing the Dream, however, that wasn't the case, thanks to the seasoned replacement guitarists DJ Rogers and Patrick Guild. Fractures is a frantic and abrasive display of anger, frustration, and desperation. But in addition to its menacing nature, both in sound and lyrical content, there is a sense of melody, delicacy, and hope that is just as much a part of Killing the Dream's sound. Following the intro of "(Re)Acquaintance," the band delves into a metallic juggernaut that is "Part II (Motel Art)." Newcomers Rogers and Guild quickly put to bed any reservations … Read more

Feverdreams

Words and Music
Fitual (2007)

From what I understand, Feverdreams is a solo project. The press sheet lauds the album, Words and Music, for its … Read more

The Slackers

Self Medication
Indication (2008)

You might not like ska music, but The Slackers are the exception to that rule (at least for me and … Read more

The VSS

Nervous Circuits (Reissue)
Hydra Head (2008)

Seriously, The VSS are getting the reissue treatment from Hydra Head. Not only is this a completely unexpected revelation, but … Read more

The Estranged

Static Thoughts
Dirtnap (2008)

With Static Thoughts, The Estranged attempt to combine the volatile combination of post-punk and punk with positive results on the … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The End of Six Thousand Years

Isolation
Still Life (2008)

Italy's The End of Six Thousand Years return with their debut full-length following a split release with Embrace the End … Read more

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One from the archives

Hot Graves

Knights In White Phosphorus
Northern Horde (2011)

It seems more and more as of late bands are taking the lead of the mighty Darkthrone. That is to mean that much like Darkthrone as of late bands are adding more obvious touches of crust punk to their black metal style. Hot Graves are not that new at this though. This 4 year old band have always made it pretty clear that they love old school black metal, satan, crust and hardcore. It can be gleaned from just looking at their logo, 4 hot pink stylized coffins positioned like the classic Black Flag bars with upside crosses and other fun things put on them. Crust and old school black metal share certain musical markers that are hard to ignore. So it makes sense that these two styles would fit … Read more

More album reviews

200 Words Or Less

Bad Reaction

Had it Coming
Reflections (2008)

Had it Coming is my first exposure to Los Angeles' Bad Reaction, but apparently this recording is a CD version of their previously released 7"s Dare to be Dull and Plastic World, plus a choice cover. Bad Reaction play fast punk influenced hardcore. All but one of the songs here end up under two minutes. As expected, that means the … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Bullet Treatment / It's Casual

Split
Basement (2008)

This split 7" from Basement Records teams up two Los Angeles hardcore veterans for two tracks each: Bullet Treatment and It's Casual. Everything about this record, from the music and the lyrics down to the artwork, screams of the early years of hardcore. Bullet Treatment is back in action again, this time with a new vocalist, Jordan of Vultures United, … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The Devil in the Sea

Heart vs. Spine
Acerbic Noise (2008)

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 bangers have delivered a sixty-minute soundtrack perfect for touring the bayou. The Devil and the Sea follow like so many others in the line of Sabbath worshipers, but with a modern take, and a little … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Under Anchor

There is No End
Truth and Justice (2007)

Despite my close proximity to the state, it's been quite a while since I've heard something new from Michigan that's caught my interest. Under Anchor is the first band to do so in a while. They are a three-piece hardcore band that draws equally from the youth-crew sound and metallic hardcore of the 90's. There is No End is the … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Argos Checkmate

Argos Checkmate
Independent (2007)

Argos Checkmate hails from Syracuse and mix together the worlds of chaotic metalcore and ambient post-rock. You may think the two don't go together well, but the end result is rather enjoyable. "Dresden" and "Hellen Keller" take technical jibber-jabber to the next level, reminiscent of The Dillinger Escape Plan and Engineer, but with more chug. Meantime, "In the Warm" falls … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Candle

Miles and Miles and Miles
Real Love (2008)

Candle is the brainchild of singer/songwriter Kevin Coons, who expanded his solo recording project into a full band. Miles and Miles and Miles is the group's third release in as many years, and boasts a country tinged folk sound with small touches of indie rock. The album begins with "Pennies in a Well," a simple track with a multitude of … Read more

No Use for a Name

Feel Good Record of the Year
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)

I'm sitting here drinking a beer to wash down a turkey melt I just made with my George Foreman Grill. Jason Kubel just hit a home run against the Brewers to tie up the game in the bottom of the fifth. The sun is shining, I'm wearing shorts, and there's a fan blowing in the corner. It's not officially summer … Read more

Achenar

All Will Change
Earthen (2008)

One of the more difficult aspects of reviewing records is when an individual reviewer goes into a record completely blind with virtually no knowledge beforehand regarding a particular release or artist or group. Although there can be no preconceived notions concerning such projects, a certain amount of frustration or unpreparedness might be noticeable in said review. This is Achenar's debut … Read more

Look Mexico

The Crucial Collection
Lujo (2008)

No band begins as brilliant; the songs can be good, but they're only skeletons of the potential a band might possess. It takes years of practice, scattered releases, and thousands of hours between writing, touring, and practicing before a group fully realizes itself. Introduced to Look Mexico with their first full-length, This is Animal Music, I thought, "Bands like this … Read more

Hour of the Wolf / Lewd Acts

Split
Think Fast! (2008)

It wasn't that long ago that I caught a little tour featuring Hour of the Wolf, Lewd Acts, and Trash Talk. In fact, it was just last year. The bill was interesting as it mixed varying punk/hardcore styles - a little something for everyone which is a welcome change to the one show-five bands-one sound norm. Two of those artists … Read more

Jon McKiel

The Nature of Things
Wednesday (2008)

So it's finally summer, and that usually means an overload of new music. I can't name the number of songs or albums that remind me of a specific summer in my life. Something about the change of pace and warm weather that just makes music attach itself to memories. What does this have to do with this album? I'm just … Read more

The Kills

Midnight Boom
Rough Trade (2008)

Midnight Boom is the third full-length from the garage duo The Kills - which is VV (Allison Mosshart former lead singer of Discount) and Hotel (Jamie Hince formerly the guitarist of Blyth Power and Scarfo) - following No Wow (2005) and Keep on Your Mean Side (2003). Having a liking to their second record, I feel some excitement for Midnight … Read more

International Superheroes of Hardcore

Takin' it Ova!
Bridge Nine (2008)

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 fun, usually in the form of some kind of joke. Jokes/gimmicks like these tend to last only a short time and the initial response is rather intense but quickly fades away. A few examples from … Read more

Tournament

Swordswallower
Trip Machine Laboratories (2008)

With silkscreen cover art and a handwritten inventory number on Swordswallower, the Brooklyn-based Tournament (ex-Paragraph) have released an impressive debut. The press sheet is informative and avoids sounding too infomercial, and the personal approach (except for the handwritten "promo" on the inner sleeve) make this an appealing package from Trip Machine Laboratories. Their bio shows they come from a diverse … Read more

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