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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)

Lifetime

Lifetime
Decaydance (2007)

On the song "Can't Think About it Now," Lifetime vocalist Ari Katz notes in passing that "nobody knows if the kids gonna like it." No kidding. As anyone talking about this record will likely point out, expectations ride high. After eight years away from the fray, Lifetime returned in 2005 for a scattered series of shows before reuniting for real and recording this, a self-titled full-length - previewed by a two-song single, with both tunes reappearing here. But let's reassure the doubtful: this record sounds like nobody but Lifetime, and the band returns as if they'd just gone out for beer and cigarettes. You'll feel instantly at home: Steve Evetts' familiar, thunderous production makes Pete Martin and Dan Yemin's sturdy, anthemic guitar riffs sound as thick and comforting as a chocolate milkshake. Katz's vocals sound a bit less ragged around the edges, but he still strains and emotes like nobody else, singing like a grown-up boy with no time for bullshit and all the time in the world for romance. The strength of the songs shapes the familiar sound of the record into something virtuous. Long after bands like Saves the Day have abandoned the band's blueprint, Lifetime continue to … Read more

As Hope Dies

As Hope Dies
Still Life (2006)

This self-titled affair is the final recorded material from the melodic death metal/hardcore outfit As Hope Dies. Prior to this … Read more

Agalloch

Ashes Against the Grain
The End (2006)

Agalloch formed in the mid to late 1990's as a studio project of sorts and have actually maintained that distinction … Read more

Various Artists

Our Impact Will Be Felt: A Tribute to Sick of it All
Abacus (2007)

Let's face it; if you're a hardcore kid and you DON'T like Sick of it All, there's something really and … Read more

This Ending

Inside the Machine
Metal Blade (2007)

This Ending's Inside the Machine is a creeper. The first time I heard it, I really didn't care for it. … Read more

Ignite the Will

Words Fail
Double or Nothing (2006)

I sometimes wonder what motivates individuals to be in a band full-time. That's a lot of devotion to one thing, … Read more

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One from the archives

Child Bite / This Moment In Black History

Split
Forge Again (2009)

A couple of the rust-belt cities connect themselves through this new split 7" release. Detroit's Child Bite and Cleveland's This Moment in Black History each offer up one brand new song on this vinyl. Child Bite bring forth "Mammal Manners" in just under three minutes. The eccentric five-piece sounds like Secret Chiefs 3 fronted by Fred Schneider. It's bizarre, and yet it works, for the most part. Meanwhile, This Moment in Black History's "It's Everything We Do" is a two and a half minute avant-garde mash of 8-bit Nintendo, noise punk, and rock. I'm not really a fan of this, especially the vocals, which are awful. The whole thing comes off rather immature. Child Bite definitely saves this split recording. This Moment in Black History nearly caused me to melt … Read more

More album reviews

Destroy Nate Allen

Awake O'Sleeper
Quiver Society (2006)

I'd like to start off this review by stating how much respect I have for Nate Allen. Just like G.G. Allin was committed to being the most sick and depraved human being he could possibly be, Allen is committed to prescribing to punk's D.I.Y. ethics and living his life by them. Using any means possible to tour and recording his … Read more

Cable

Last Call
Translation Loss (2006)

Cable might be one of the best bands that you have never heard. In today's punk and hardcore atmosphere there is a serious lack of the visceral disgust that bands like Cable have produced. Originally part of the burgeoning "noise-core" movement that included Deadguy and later Kiss It Goodbye, Cable outlasted their peers in both longevity and creativity with their … Read more

On Three

No More Excuses
Strikin' Out (2007)

I hate to pigeonhole myself as the token fast hardcore reviewer at Scene Point Blank but I just can't help myself when Michael lists off those promos we can snag up for review and I see words like "fast" "posi" and "melodic." I just have to swoop down and collect them all like a Pokemon Master of mediocre mid-level hardcore … Read more

Zozobra

Harmonic Tremors
Hydra Head (2007)

Zozobra is a tantalizing idea for a band. They are a two-piece outfit that is comprised of Cave In member Caleb Scofield and a member of the criminally unnoticed Forensics, Santos Montano - both members also do time in Old Man Gloom. The question then becomes, knowing how else the members otherwise occupy their time, what will this band sound … Read more

Zozobra

Harmonic Tremors
Hydra Head (2007)

Those frustrated by the fact that Old Man Gloom is nothing more than a studio project that rarely tours can get excited - at least a little bit. Caleb Scofield and Santos Montano, two of the players of Old Man Gloom, have formed a new vehicle with a similar sound, one that actually tours: Zozobra. Harmonic Tremors begins with "The … Read more

Pyramids

Following the Tracks, Forcing Motion Through Phases
Slave Union/Paramnesia (2006)

Listening to this album is like being on a train, a train that you know is going to crash. But even knowing this, you just sit there and wait. Slowly you look out the window and lament all that passes by almost without knowing why. As the music builds up your heart rate increases, the song climaxes, people scream, and … Read more

Nas

Hip Hop is Dead
Def Jam (2006)

A hip hop album hasn't sparked this much controversy in years. The title led to many rappers taking great offense. Specifically, southern artists like D4L and Young Jeezy got heated over the title, questioning whom Nas was to make such a declaration. The publicity generated, along with the loyalty of Nas fans, helped Hip Hop is Dead debut at #1 … Read more

The Ackleys

Forget Forget, Derive Derive
House of Love (2006)

It has to be considered near unforgivable to include the words "They're certainly not the first to write songs… and they probably won't be the last - but infectious, rock-solid indie pop will never go out of style" in a press sheet when one's aim is to try and sell a band, not make prospective listeners sigh with disappointment before … Read more

Fall Out Boy

Infinity on High
Island (2007)

In the punk scene alone, the collected amount of shit that has been talked about Fall Out Boy could probably fill the Atlantic Ocean…twice. I am certainly, without question or hesitation, as guilty of it as anyone else, but I'm willing to admit it when I like music by a band I have previously criticized. And so it is with … Read more

Seemless

What Have We Become
Equal Vision (2006)

Seemless is a hard rock band, straight up hard rock. Boasting ex-members of Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, and Overcast, this is kind of unexpected. What Have We Become is their second full-length. Their last one, a self-titled album, showed a bit of promise for what they could do in the future. Unfortunately, this Seemless record is mostly unremarkable. The sound … Read more

Om

Conference of the Birds
Holy Mountain (2006)

There is little disputing that Sleep was the quintessential stoner metal band. After breaking up due to the band's now infamous falling out with London Records, the members went on to form two bands that are insanely heavy in their own ways. Forming High on Fire, guitarist Matt Pike upped the tempos and the technical ability. Meanwhile, bassist Al Cisneros … Read more

The Handshake Murders

Usurper
Goodfellow (2007)

I feel like right now is an interesting juncture in "hardcore." With its popularity and accessibility, there are a lot of throwback bands that might seem progressive to some. But, really, some things are better left in the hands of either your predecessors or more capable hands. The Handshake Murders, which is an absolutely insipid, meaningless name, are unfortunately a … Read more

The Miracle

Not Just Words
Still Life (2006)

It's quite amazing how widespread hardcore music has become these days. Despites its relatively young age compared to other genres, it has become a worldwide entity; no longer is the music confined to New York City and Los Angeles, or the United States for that matter. Everyday new acts ready to scream their lungs out hit the stage from more … Read more

Bloc Party

A Weekend in the City
Vice (2007)

Being a favorite of my friends and I during our Friday/Saturday night pre-pub dance parties, I had a certain set of expectations for what the new Bloc Party would sound like. While 2005's Silent Alarm carried a handful of mellower tracks, making up the bulk of the filler on the album, it was pushed to popularity by its killer single … Read more

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