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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)

Stabbed by Words

Stabbed by Words
Hawthorne Street (2006)

Why has no one heard of Stabbed by Words? A better question might be why is no one really talking about them? Seriously, when a band features members and ex-members of Unbroken, The Hope Conspiracy and The Suicide File, how can a band like this slip under the collective radar of the hardcore herd? One reason for their relative obscurity might be that the sound that the band produces is not quite what one might expect given the previous projects of the members. Instead of a brutal metallic hardcore attack, the sound is more akin to other bands from vocalist (and former Unbroken member) Dave Claibourn's San Diego roots. The clanging of guitars announces the beginning of "Words." This song has a similar mood and sound to that of later era-Unbroken. The guitars are much more angular sounding. The vocal delivery is impeccable and powerful. The lyrics are great: Sometimes words just don't say enough, I say and I hope you understand what I mean. I can't always say the right things. I just hope that words are enough for you. Words can make you think that everything is fine… Words can make you feel as though you are loved. … Read more

Holy Molar

Cavity Search
Three One G (2007)

I once heard an interview with Justin Pearson (Holy Molar, The Locust, Some Girls) in which he said that a … Read more

Wait in Vain

Demo
Independent (2005)

Wait in Vain was a band that featured ex-members of Trial and Champion who released a four-song demo back in … Read more

Skullflower

Tribulation
Crucial Blast (2006)

Most people can't handle the devastating beauty that Skullflower has been known for since its inception in 1987. This latest … Read more

I Killed the Prom Queen

Music for the Recently Deceased
Metal Blade (2006)

I'm not going to lie to you, kids. I have an affinity for most things from Down Under. I had … Read more

Murder Practice

Murder Practice
West Coast Worldwide (2006)

The wave of hardcore bands coming from the hotbed that is the Bay Area is endless; Murder Practice is the … Read more

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One from the archives

Cunts

Cunts
Ipecac (2019)

Calling your band “Cunts” and releasing some sort of grindcore or blackened death album wouldn’t really be a big shocker. It wouldn’t take a whole lot of balls or thought to do. But calling your band Cunts and releasing a more-melodic-than-extreme hardcore album complete with a Tom Waits cover takes a little bit more ingenuity.Comprised of Retox twinsies Michael Crain and Kevin Avery, Matt Cronk of Qui and rounded out by Sterling Riley and Keith Hendrickson, Cunts is what happens when the need for the catharsis of contempt collides with a rapture of apathy.Songs like "Supervised Visits", "A Hero’s Welcome" and "Fuck You For Your Service" only seek to hammer home the hatred. Oh and if that’s not enough, the cover depicts Jesus blowing Baphomet if you’re into that sort … Read more

More album reviews

Piebald

Accidental Gentlemen
Side One Dummy (2007)

I appreciate humor in music. Being a literary nerd, there's nothing more satisfying than catching a good pun or play on words in the midst of a steady rock beat. Unfortunately, little in today's music scene really delivers. Metalcore (a slowly dying dinosaur), and whatever you call it that Three One G puts out (art school grind-punk?) goes for the … Read more

Only Crime

Virulence
Fat Wreck Chords (2007)

Supergroups are a curious entity, as they often appear to be incredible in the idea stage, but the expectations often exceed the execution. Fortunately, the classic phrase "too many chefs in the kitchen" does not apply to Only Crime - whose talents have been involved with acts such as Bane, Converge, Descendents, Good Riddance, and Gwar - because they are … Read more

The Assailant

Colera
Rome Plow (2006)

A couple of weeks ago, I received a promo package in the mail from the beloved head of staff at Scene Point Blank. The description for this recently released album on Rome Plow Records mentioned Seattle, Washington's late Botch. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity to listen to a free, Botch-influenced album, and review it. The Assailant is … Read more

Architect

All is not Lost
Black Market Activities (2007)

As I mentioned in the Gaza review I wrote, I was eagerly anticipating Architect's first release All is not Lost. While Black Market Activities had generally put out stuff outside of my niche, I knew who they were, and their recent releases have really catapulted them to the forefront of my attention. What grabs my attention about these releases is … Read more

Ladyfinger (ne)

Heavy Hands
Saddle Creek (2006)

First off, I have to say, "wow." This is really on Saddle Creek? That is totally unexpected. Being unfamiliar with what Ladyfinger (ne) is capable of musically, I am totally surprised. Heavy Hands is the debut album from these guys. It is a more than interesting offering by the description that I have been given for them. Most people have … Read more

the_Network

This is Your Pig's Portrait
Black Market Activities (2007)

The_Network poises itself to be one of the weirdest albums of 2007 despite the fact that it was released on the twenty-third day of the year. While they were lead to write the songs on This is Your Pig's Portrait after attending a Bloodlet show, I don't think all but the most trained and knowing ears would pick Bloodlet as … Read more

Sleeping Pilot

Panic Sex
Sonic Deadline (2006)

I've never had panic sex, and I don't really want to. It's not really a term that can have many happy endings. There are really only three things I can associate with panic sex: an unwanted pregnancy, an STD, or a dead hooker. Not what I want the outcome of any sexual encounter to be. But now a more positive … Read more

The Esoteric

Subverter
Prosthetic (2006)

Call it a sickness. Call it sheer stupidity. I have to admit that I have a soft spot I my heart for The Esoteric; I have ever since I saw them open for Coalesce a few years back. I remember remarking to my brother and friends that they reminded me of Coalesce (this was also the tour that Cory White … Read more

No Turning Back

Holding On
Bridge Nine (2006)

I don't know exactly when it happened - it was probably in the 90's- but you don't need to be from New York anymore to sound like a NYHC band. You could be from such sun-drenched locales like Florida and California. You could even talk about the tough streets in Tokyo, Japan or Umea, Sweden. You don't need to be … Read more

Pulling Teeth

Vicious Skin
Chainsaw Safety (2006)

Baltimore based Pulling Teeth released an extremely impressive demo and all expectations of what a proper release would be are exceeded on this recording. Vicious Skin is eleven tracks of fast-paced hardcore and crossover goodness served up over the course of fourteen short tumultuous minutes. On Vicious Skin, Pulling Teeth draw heavily from two schools of thought, paying homage to … Read more

Dustin Kensrue

Please Come Home
Equal Vision (2007)

All right doggies, saddle up. It's time to slip off those slip-on vans and lace up a pair of shit kickers; the terrain gets a lil' rough up ahead. That's right, y'all better trade in those half inch gauged earrings for a ten gallon hat because we're about to take a bucking ride through the romantic Midwest with Dustin "Dusty" … Read more

Geisha

Mondo Dell'Orrore
Crucial Blast (2006)

Noise is a funny term. Not "ha ha" funny, but highly prone to linguistic slippage: its connotations cover everything from the stylized squawk of Lightning Bolt to the Pacific Rim blasts of Incapacitants or Masonna. The mutant term "noisecore" has been beaten virtually beyond recognition, referring to everything from the nitroglycerin airbursts of World and Final Exit to the unrelated … Read more

Kylesa

Time Will Fuse its Worth
Prosthetic (2006)

Kylesa is a conundrum. They straddle so many genres and styles of music that it is almost fruitless to attempt to classify them. However, I believe that this fact is part of their appeal where in other bands' cases, it would be a detriment. Regardless, their new album, Time Will Fuse its Worth, marks the addition of two new drummers … Read more

Red Orchestra Radio

The Electric Sleep
Feeling Faint (2006)

I know you shouldn't judge people by the company they keep, but I propose that there should be certain exemptions from this rule. For example, the people who hang around with the school bully. They might not be the ones locking you in the bathroom come break time, stealing your lunch, or flying your ridiculously large underpants from the school … Read more

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