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Nadja

Queller
Essence Music (2014)

As a full on Nadja addict, Queller was immediately on my radar when I heard of its upcoming release; but as a “music critic” (that is what we do here right), Queller may just be one of the finest not quite hour of their impressive discography / existence to this point, which is an impressive feat considering how large and … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Seagulls

The Royal We EP
Autmun & Colour (2014)

I don't get too excited about new bands anymore. However, Seagulls recently swooped into my radar and have me pumped for sing-a-longs. If you're a fan of the guttural vocals of Fucked Up and the melodic pop-punk riffs of Latterman, then this is right up your alley. The band's new EP, The Royal We, will have you fist pumping through … Read more

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Iron Hand

Injected Fear
Safety Meeting (2014)

Here’s some D-beaten hardcore out of New Haven, Connecticut. Seven songs that average two and a half minutes, which is the goddamn perfect length for this type of thing. Much like fellow CT statesmen Oiltanker, Iron Hand dives deep into the Scandinavian and Portland “epic crust” end of the pool; at least in their instrumentation. The vocals lend it a … Read more

The Faint

Doom Abuse
SQE Music (2014)

It came as a surprise to everyone. The Faint sprung up from the ground out of nowhere after being gone for a few years. They came out of the dark to celebrate Danse Macabre's 10-year anniversary. What people didn't expect was for them to accompany the tour with new music. At their merch booth, fans had the chance to purchase … Read more

Brown Brogues

Zoloto
Stolen Body Records (2014)

In an alternate universe, Brown Brogues' "Shit In Your Eye" sits atop the charts; following in the lineage of other certified gold cuts such as Ty Segall's "Girlfriend" and the Black Lips' "Bad Kids." As the shit-kicker guitar rings out of the speakers, you can practically see someone beating their fist atop a jukebox or pool table in approval. It's … Read more

Helms Alee

Sleepwalking Sailors
Sargent House (2014)

Sleepwalking Sailors is just too good, promptly inserting itself at the top of my list for album of the year (for now, and yes, I keep a running list all year long because I am a weirdo); and Helms Alee continues to impress me with every new release not just in the fact that with a few exceptions, there music … Read more

Helms Alee

Sleepwalking Sailors
Sargent House (2014)

Helms Alee’s Sleepwalking Sailors is a ferocious asteroid of post-hardcore, doom metal, and noise rock. The Seattle-based trio’s third album, released on Sargent House Records, hurls you through a deathly metal ocean, into the Earth’s burning core, and back out again; it’s Michael Bay making rock music.“Pleasure Center” puts the 11-song fireball into motion. Starting with synchronized guitars and drums, … Read more

Blackrat

Whiskey and Blasphemy
Xnihilo Records (2013)

Whiskey and Blasphemy (Xnihilo Records), the 11-song debut album from Canadian trio Blackrat, is a grittily produced 28 minutes of totes gnarly extreme metal. Like holy metalheads Aura Noir and Sodom, Blackrat combines the Satanic themes and rawness of black metal with the speedy guitars of thrash metal, resulting in some good ol’ black/thrash crossover.The blast-beats, violent vocal screams, and … Read more

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Various Artists

Capitalist Kids/Tight Bros. - split 7"
Toxic Pop (2013)

If sweet and easy pop punk is your thing, this is the split for you. Capitalist Kids take Side A, fresh after releasing Lessons on Love, Sharing, and Hygiene. They play Mr. T Experience influenced pop punk/song-about-a-girl. Here, only two of the three are on that subject: opener “Special Looks,” which features the beautifully self-aware lyric, “I’ll keep writing dumb … Read more

Twilight

III: Beneath Trident's Tomb
Century Media (2014)

Twilight is a difficult band to define. Throughout the years, since their inception back in 2004, the band has seen some very interesting line-up changes which obviously resulted in the evolution of their sound. The core members of Twilight always were N. Imperial of Krieg, Wrest of Leviathan and Blake Judd of Nachtmystium (even though he was not a part … Read more

Owls

Two
Polyvinyl (2014)

Post-hardcore merges the experimentation of noise rock with the energy of hardcore punk. During its first two decades, post-hardcore was pretty underground, but it produced notable acts like Shellac, Fugazi, and Big Black in the 80’s and Chavez, Slint, and Unwound in the 90’s.In the 2000’s, post-hardcore broke with The Used’s 2003 self-titled album and My Chemical Romance’s 2004 album … Read more

Brain F≠

Empty Set
Grave Mistake / Sorry State (2014)

Apparently this band is called “Brain Flannel.” I don’t know what that means, but as somebody capable of reading the English language, I’m pretty sure it’s actually “Brain Unequal To.”Empty Set here is their second full-length, and it’s really only a full-length by a hair, totaling 20 minutes for the 10 punk rock jams that it contains.The band itself is … Read more

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Fuck The Facts

Amer
Independent (2013)

Fuck The Facts have long been a bright spot in the canadian metal scene. The long running band have released a nearly ridiculous number of records in their ever changing musical formula. The formula itself retains grind as a backbone but adds layers and ideas up and above that to create something more dynamic more the bands' own. Amer is … Read more

Kill Matilda

#Punk#Zombie#RocknRoll
Independent (2014)

Blood, decay, and darkness, that’s what I think of when I listen to Kill Matilda’s re-release EP #Punk#Zombie#RocknRoll which derived from their 2011 full length album I Want Revenge. This album grips my mind and twists my emotions! I imagine myself in a dank basement with thirty of the coolest people I know, crammed in, with can’s of PBR, and … Read more

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