HIM
XX: Two Decades of Love Metal
The End (2012)
Whatever you may think about HIM – joke band, has-beens, rip-off merchants and so on and so on – it’s hard to deny the very essence of their hard rocking joy. XX: Two Decades of Love Metal compiles nearly twenty (twenty!) years of the Fin’s self-branded love metal and it’s clear that their passion and whole-hearted belief in their woe-filled … Read more
Himsa
Courting Tragedy and Disaster
Prosthetic (2003)
When I first downloabought the new Himsa record, I can't lie, I had really low expectations for it. I'm not a big fan of metalcore, and I've never liked anything by Himsa I've heard in the past. To my surprise, within the first couple tracks, I found myself quite entertained. Himsa really bring nothing new to the table at all, … Read more
Himsa
Ground Breaking Ceremony
Revelation (1999)
Have you ever had one of those records that you were so extremely excited for that the anticipation was eating at you and you counted down the days until it finally showed up in your mailbox, and, upon receiving said album, you immediately tossed in or on your stereo (regardless of the format that you are listening to the music) … Read more
Himsa
Hail Horror
Prosthetic (2006)
In 2003 Himsa dropped Courting Tragedy and Disaster on an unsuspecting hardcore and metal scene. It was an intense follow up to and a major stylistic shift from their first full-length album, Ground Breaking Ceremony. The five piece went through a bit of lineup shuffling (Nothing new to a band that has replaced everyone but the bassist at least once … Read more
Himsa
Self Titled
Revelation (1999)
Long before this band went the way of the metal ear candy purveyors that they eventually turned into (check out Courting Tragedy And Disaster for a reference), Himsa dropped this terribly under appreciated and short eponymous EP on an arguably rather stagnant era of hardcore and punk with a dark tone and a bit more of a nuanced view of … Read more
Hinds
Leave Me Alone
Lucky Number (2016)
When Hinds’ debut Leave Me Alone started with a jamming guitar riff, I was scared that this Spanish (but English-singing) all-girls rock band was going down the same lo-fi indie road that bands like The Lovely Bad Things and Black Lips have already thoroughly pounded into the ground. But almost immediately, the jam dissipates into a chilled-out, nonchalant air reminiscent … Read more
Hint Hint
Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)
Hint Hint will make you dance, but they'll also leave you with somewhat of an empty feeling. This is one of those bands who are definitely good, but lack a sound original enough to have carved their own little niche in your mind. I'm definitely thinking that Hint Hint will be able to do something really good in the future, … Read more
Hint Hint
Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)
With bands like Hot Hot Heat getting big, it's no doubt you'd see a ton of bands that are similar get recognized. Such is the case with Hint Hint. This is their first release and I must say I am somewhat let down from all the hype this band has been getting. Although the record is alright, I was just … Read more
Hint Hint
Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)
Think of Ink and Dagger. Then think of Ink and Dagger without their great singer. Then mix in a bit of Adult and you'll have Hint-Hint. The first song starts it off well, but it isn't really a sign of anything. The second song is anti-climatic, which would be fine if it weren't building up to anything, but it seems … Read more
Hiss Tracts
Shortwave Nights
Constellation (2014)
It’s not so surprising that 2014’s Shortwave Nights, the debut album from Canadian duo Hiss Tracts, sounds similar not only to Godspeed You! Black Emperor music of the late ‘90s but also the two Set Fire to Flames albums: band member David Bryant collaborated on both those aforementioned groups while fellow Tracts member Kevin Doria made a name for himself … Read more
History
Ghosts in the City
24-Hour Service Station (2007)
I hate being lied too. I remember wanting this CD for review because the one-sheet was all about this Orlando, Florida band being a "Dischord-Style" punk band. Well I can tell you right now that they don't sound anything like Minor Threat. They do however try and co-opt a very vague 90's Dischords sound. If I really stretch my listening … Read more
Hoi-Poi Farplane Wind
Sain’t Adorable
Nasty Cut Records (2020)
Hoi-Poi Farplane Wind hails from Thessaloníki, Greece, and apparently splits their time between there and Copenhagen, which is an arrangement that sounds like a travel blogger’s wet dream. They play an evolving brand of post-hardcore that often has a Hot Water Music influence standing front and center. Their early sound is fuzzier, harsher, an offhand shot at their own interpretation … Read more
Hollow Ground
Cold Reality
Organized Crime (2005)
I can't possibly make this a lengthy review. I can't! I've tried to think of creative ways to give my opinion on this piece of melodic, tough-guy hardcore, "in the vein of Comeback Kid, Hatebreed, and Terror." But I keeping finding myself back at that very phrase which sits mid-page on the band's bio that Organized Crime sent out. "...in … Read more
Hollow Ground
Cold Reality
Organized Crime (2005)
An open letter to Hollow Ground and Organized Crime Records I'm not a detective or a mind-reader. I am neither Columbo, Criswell, nor Veronica-fucking-Mars. I'm just a guy who gets a meager paycheck working with kids that likes to review albums in his spare time. Don't make me search all over the internet for information on your band. Did you … Read more
Hollywood Blondes
15 Minutes of Lame
Independent (2006)
I read an interview with Dan Yemin (Lifetime, Kid Dynamite, Paint it Black) where he noted that despite his appreciation of bands that combine a variety of influences and create a sound with depth, the odds remain strong that he will always enjoy a band that replicates Minor Threat's sound. I share a similar sentiment within the genre of pop-punk … 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 fan of his said the music he made was "smart" and that was the most sincere compliment he ever received. He went on to say that he'd rather play smart music then play popular music. For the last three weeks … Read more
Holy Roman Empire
Lost in Landscapes
Hewhocorrupts Inc. (2005)
Do you remember Ashes? Junction? Hell, even Samuel for that matter? Have your ears ever had the chance to listen to Beta Minus Mechanic? Copper? Idle Hands? Well maybe it's all little rusty for you hardcore kids in the 25 and older age range, so let me refresh your memory. Holy Roman Empire as well as all the bands listed … Read more
Holy Roman Empire
The Longue Durée
Hewhocorrupts Inc. (2007)
The first time I heard The Longue Durée was driving back from the Holy Roman Empire's record release party. I was lucky enough to accompany a friend's band that was also playing and they invited me along. That was a nice gesture on their behalf since they knew I was a fan. Anyway, on some stretch of highway between Wisconsin … Read more
