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
One Day as a Lion
One Day as a Lion
Anti (2008)
The background behind the formation of One Day as a Lion isn't really well, there at all. It pretty much consists of a day when Anti Records made the announcement that they would be releasing this EP. Boasting Zach de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine/Inside Out and Jon Theodore of The Mars Volta, there is obviously going to … Read more
One Dead Three Wounded
Paint The Town
Lovelost (2004)
Living in California definitely has its perks. There's the near perfect weather, bodacious waves to hang ten upon, killer earthquakes that hella shred, beautiful ladies with even more beautiful brains (JK ON THAT!), and tons of other stereotypes that are all 100% true. But don't get me wrong, chill ass brah, this isn't perfect-land. As evidence of the lack of … Read more
One Starving Day
Atlas Coelestis
Beta Lactam Ring/Nar Shardaa (2010)
After catching their last LP, Broken Wings Lead Arms to the Sun, One Starving Day remains on my radar; so, when their latest album, Atlas Coelestis was announced, an anxious period of waiting immediately followed. Even though the band was heavily indebted to bands like Neurosis, One Starving Day still brought a great deal of panache and style to the … Read more
One Starving Day
Broken Wings Lead Arms to the Sun
Planaria (2007)
Hailing from Italy, One Starving Day are a four-piece band that, at times, sounds more like ten or fifteen people playing music. Their sound is full and emotive conveying enough raw moods and feeling in each musical piece that begs for one to pay attention. The only time prior to Broken Wings Lead Arms to the Sun that I have … Read more
One Win Choice
Never Suspend Belief
Jump Start (2007)
I've had a really shitty day today. I got into a useless argument with my boss. I feel like shit. I'm piss-broke until Wednesday and I'm living off popcorn and Pop-Tarts until then. The last thing I wanted to hear today was a bunch of twenty-something kids telling me how horrible the world is while rehashing every single 90's Fat … Read more
Oneirogen
Plenitude
Denovali (2015)
Diaz de Leon explores the limits of hallucinatory music through his project Oneirogen. Back in 2012, the debut album of Oneirogen, Hypnos, came into existence, combining experimental and heavy music, with the inclusion of big sounding synths, abrupt noise explosions and dark ambient yearnings, all under a veil of distortion and emerging soundscapes. A year later, Kiasma would be released, … Read more
Onelinedrawing
The Volunteers
Jade Tree (2004)
Long before the MTV defined "screamo" fad took the music world by storm, there was the underground phenomenon Far, a four-piece outfit from Sacramento, CA. And fronting this pioneering group was Jonah Matranga, one of the most beloved and respected songwriters in music today. His honest lyrics and soothing harmonies epitomized a genre that owes a lot to him for … Read more
ONETWOTHREE
ONETWOTHREE
Kill Rock Stars (2021)
The hook on ONETWOTHREE is the band is comprised of three bassists. Which, actually, means there are a ton of hooks on this, their debut record. And now that I’ve hooked you with unnecessary wordplay, I’ll get on with things. But, really, it was the unique arrangement that first intrigued me. The lineup consists of Klaudia Schifferle (Kleenex/LiLiPuT), Madlaina Peer … 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
Only Thieves
Greeting from Levy Park, T.L.H.
Independent (2009)
Only Thieves pay homage to the Boss with their cover to Greeting from Levy Park, T.L.H., but the tribute doesn't stop at the artwork. From the get go of "Hammered for the Holidays" there's a clear striving toward outspoken, plainclothes guitarman at the center. However, there's a more of a band feel to it, and more Gaslight Anthem than Springsteen. … Read more
Oozing Wound
High Anxiety
Thrill Jockey (2019)
Chicago’s Oozing Wound have been riding the thrash train since their inception in 2011, yet this trio are more than just that label, instead they are a band that incorporates many different aspects of the metal world into their music and in doing so create high energy vibrations that enable them to put their points across in a fun and … Read more
Ophiolatry
Transmutation
Forces of Satan/Regain (2008)
Ophiolatry is another band that, like their labelmates Black Flame, is a true force in the black arts to be reckoned with. Ophiolatry (the worship of serpents) has more of a grind aspect to their sound than their respected brethren. Relentless blastbeats and truly brutal guitar work that have the ability to pummel the listener into a fine powder. The … Read more
Opus Kink
My Eyes, Brother!
Nice Swan Recordings (2023)
It’s something new if you’ve never heard something old before- in the best way possible. Despite the general overcrowding of the UK post-punk scene, Opus Kink cut their own silhouette with My Eyes, Brother!. Opus Kink are a UK based sextet, who released their debut EP, ‘Til The Stream Runs Dry, in June 2022 to critical acclaim. Four singles from … Read more
Orange Island
Orange Island
Triple Crown (2003)
Orange Island are one of those bands who have had the unfortunate luck of being horribly mislabeled as emo. A more accurate description of their sound would be calling them an abrasive yet matured indie-rock band with an awareness of a pop-filled past. With the help of two previous releases, an EP and full-length with Iodine Records, Orange Island have … Read more
Orange The Juice
The Messiah is Back
Independent (2014)
With a hard copy release that’s designed to look like a blood-spattered wedding invitation, The Messiah is Back has to be one of the most excitingly eclectic and boundlessly imaginative albums that came out in 2014 – or any year for that matter. Produced by Polish group Orange the Juice which, with its seven player lineup more resembles a jazz … Read more
Oranssi Pazuzu
Mestarin Kynsi
Nuclear Blast (2020)
The avant-garde used to be something that was looked upon as something altogether too strange, something to be listened to in private and whispered about to that one friend you had that also liked weird stuff. Now, it’s a marker of exciting experimentation, it’s celebrated, even, as a style that is moving music forward and giving some genres new leases … Read more
Oranssi Pazuzu
Valonielu
Svart Records/20 Buck Spin (2013)
Oranssi Pazuzu are claiming to be coming from Finland… truth is that a more likely point of origin for this band is outer space. Even their name has an intriguing story behind it, with the band taking the word “Oranssi”, which means orange, as a reference to the first light rays in the big bang, and following with the name … Read more
