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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)

Children of Bodom

Hate Crew Deathroll
Century Media (2003)

So metal it has its own element on the periodic table! You can quote me on that B') I'm not familiar with metal enough to differentiate death metal, black metal, and cash money metal from each other, but I can tell this is good metal. Already I've used the word metal seven times in this review, and that probably means something if you know what I mean! The finger tapping solos that are used on this are so metallic and high that they sound like they came from a Nintendo game. There's more chugging than a frat party at Chico, which is a LOT! The vocals bother me at times, but they are only there 50% of the time. The horror intro to "Triple Corpse" was a nice change of pace, and the synthesizer adds some fun sounds. If you like metal at all, check this out. Even if you don't like metal, check this out. Read more

Multiple Authors

Death By Stereo

Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)

Death by Stereo strike again with this new offering of their signature metal influenced melodic hardcore sound. This CD is … Read more

Multiple Authors

Death By Stereo

Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)

Death By Stereo's newest release and they have shown no sign of slowing down. They have taken their classic style … Read more

Multiple Authors

Death By Stereo

Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)

The first song I heard from this was "Wasted Words" from a Punk-O-Rama compilation. A good song, but it reminded … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

Don't be fooled by the name, this isn't a Good Charlotte cover band. HARD HARD. Anyways, this EP didn't get … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

I am not sure if I should hate the singer or the band. The singer, whilst having a good screaming … Read more

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One from the archives

Krallice

Ygg Huur
Avantgarde Music (2015)

Krallice was a band that was working like a Swiss clock watch. They were very punctual with their releases, putting out album after album, with just about one year gaps between each release. That was the case at least until and including the release of Years Past Matter. That was also the first time that the band did not release their music through Profound Lore Records. Ygg Huur comes three whole years following the release of Years Past Matter. That wait was quite scary, but it also raised anticipation for what Krallice would do with their music and what we would experience from a new offering from the band. The first aspect that comes into perspective, before even hearing a single note from the album, is its duration. Krallice's albums … Read more

More album reviews

Multiple Authors

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

As the drums kicked in, literally, my third sense was exposed to the vocals of this young majesty. The kind of majesty that upon a first meeting you love. You share your food with them and eventually you say goodbye. Upon the next few meetings you grow tired and kick him in the stop button, but it keeps on going. … Read more

Multiple Authors

Cursive

The Ugly Organ
Saddle Creek (2003)

It's nice when bands can make beautiful music and still have it rock the casa. One thing that separates this from other similar "indie" bands is a cello, and just the fact that they are really damn good and don't sound like the others. The lyrics range from satire on "emo" music to stories of lost daughters (which brought a … Read more

Multiple Authors

Cursive

The Ugly Organ
Saddle Creek (2003)

The Ugly Organ is an appropriate title for the Nebraska-based Cursive's latest effort. The band has put together an album that is dissonant, cacophonous, and beautiful at the same time. On this album, the band uses a cello permanently as well as pianos, horns, and yes, organs to the original two guitars, bass, drums and singer Tim Kasher's dynamic voice. … Read more

Multiple Authors

Cursive

The Ugly Organ
Saddle Creek (2003)

Cursive, being one of my favorite bands, had a lot to live up to with this release. Usually, when I absolutely love a band's records, they tend to fail to top themselves, and thus I get disappointed. This is definitely an exception. The first few listens, I had a hard time swallowing this album and Cursive's new sound. Not that … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rufio

Rufio
Nitro (2003)

I thought this CD was going to be shit, and guess what? Within the first twenty seconds I found myself not surprised. I don't understand how one person can enjoy these vocals. This EP is only 10 minutes, but 10 minutes that I wish I didn't waste. Besides the generic pop "punk" sound they have, I'll give them some props … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rufio

Rufio
Nitro (2003)

Okay; I came to this EP as a first time listener to Rufio, so I wasn't biased in my opinion of them. After spending the last 30 minutes or so with these three songs on repeat as I worked, I can safely say, Rufio are not a good band. Well, perhaps that statement is a little inaccurate. This is the … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rufio

Rufio
Nitro (2003)

After AFI left Nitro Records, Nitro went on a splurge by signing a ton of bands that otherwise they would have spent on AFI. Well unfortunately they didn't try and fill those shoes. They instead signed some of the worst bands around today. Rufio was one of them. After becoming a success with their last CD, Perhaps, I Suppose (which … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rock Kills Kid

Rock Kills Kid
Fearless (2003)

Pop with replay value. It doesn't come often, but when it does, it sure is a keeper. This occurs because the pop and rock are so finely blended on this that it just comes oozing with smiles. These said oozed smiles are soon molded into the figures of two lovers making passionate sex with "Everything To Me" as the backdrop. … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rock Kills Kid

Rock Kills Kid
Fearless (2003)

I decided to give this band a chance because I heard they weren't a complete Get Up Kids rip off. Well, every piece of press this band gets mentions that Rock Kills Kid brings more to the table than simple pop punk, but this might be a stretch. The verses sound a little interesting, but as soon as the choruses … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rock Kills Kid

Rock Kills Kid
Fearless (2003)

Rock Kills Kid of Southern California deliver a refreshing take on pop-punk with their debut EP. The band has been described as "technical pop-punk" which is seemingly fitting, because they certainly have much more technical prowess than most bands they will surely be lumped together with. This EP combines the energy of a pop-punk band with the darker approach of … Read more

Multiple Authors

Garrison

The Model
Iodine (2003)

When I first jump started this baby I was expecting another generic "emo" band. But as the first song winded down, I realized that it wasn't so! The vocals at times remind me of Get Up Kids, but not as high. The music itself is poppy, but still has the rock, and is similar to The Casket Lottery at times. … Read more

Multiple Authors

Garrison

The Model
Iodine (2003)

This release isn't great. It's not bad either. It's just kind of there. They have this sound that is a tad bit similar to Hot Rod Circuit's latest stuff. A little more complicated. The singer hits notes at times that sound like the singer of The Casket Lottery. Too bad his band isn't as good. I think the final song … Read more

Multiple Authors

Garrison

The Model
Iodine (2003)

I'm slightly familiar with Garrison's older material, so this release surprised me to a degree. I don't recall Garrison's music being as poppy as it is now, so older fans might be a little bit disappointed. On this record, Garrison seemed to have drifted more towards the Vagrant Records definition of 'emo', which is not a happy thought at first, … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rainer Maria

Long Knives Drawn
Polyvinyl (2003)

Rainer Maria? More like Rainer Boring. The lack of rock and only prettiness make this boring. It would be ok if the prettiness was really good, but it's just kind of bland. The female vocals aren't really working for me either. I'm sure she has a good voice, but it adds to the already stale feeling. At the same time … Read more

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