Refused
Refused are Fucking Dead DVD
Burning Heart (2006)
A Reflection: The Death of Belief "We drove a few hours to get there. And when I got there, everybody in the band was in different places. I think David was probably talking on the phone to Vic. And Dennis was hanging out with Mike Fight. Angry. And you were all scowling, and, you knowââ¬Â¦ Not getting along with each … Read more
Regarde
The Blue And You
Epidemic Records/Through Love Records (2020)
The mind is a wonderful thing. Memories can be triggered by different stimuli. If you have ever watched The Chef's Table (a series about the chefs and their motivations to do what they do best) you will have seen many chefs confess they make food that reminds them of the food they ate in their youth. And that eating that … Read more
Regret
Misery Brigade
Organized Crime (2006)
Organized Crime Records is branching out these days with the release from a band that isn't from the Chicago metropolitan area. Jokes! Jokes! I'm aware the label has released bands from outside of Chicago. This isn't a knock at the label; they just love their hometown bands. But you can't really blame them. I'm sure working face-to-face with bands and … Read more
Regulations
Regulations
Havoc (2005)
The west coast was a wild place to be from 1978 to 1981. Bands like The Germs, Black Flag, and Adolescents were breaking through California with throat strained-vocals & blazing, twangy guitars. Kids in sleeveless t-shirts, black jeans and biker boots wrapped in bandannas and chains were the norm at punk shows. The pigs would break up the shows. Junkies … Read more
Rehashed
Code Black
Power It Up (2011)
Rehashed out of Saskatoon are working at carrying the crossover torch into the next decade. While there are a few bands doing this a smaller few truly make it work in the recorded format. Rehashed have everything it takes to be up on top it's only up to the Power It Up Records debut to prove to the world that … Read more
Rei Rea
Food For The Worms
Union Finale Records (2015)
Christian Dubé’s project has certainly blossomed over the years. Originating back in 2000, Rei Rea started off as a software-based musical outlet based in Dubé’s basement (that must be one fucking dark basement), releasing a number of split collaborations throughout the years as well as standalone albums, such as Hate Hand And Hate and Slug Launching Stinction. As time progressed, … Read more
Reign Supreme
American Violence
Malfunction (2008)
Philadelphia's Reign Supreme burst onto the hardcore scene in 2006 with great intensity. Fronted by former Blacklisted member Jay Pepito and also featuring former members of Palehorse and others, Reign Supreme deliver a highly visceral and punishing blend of metallic hardcore. American Violence is their latest EP, the follow-up to a demo and a 12" single. Reign Supreme knock on … Read more
Reign Supreme
Testing the Limits of Infinite
Deathwish Inc. (2009)
In 1995 Testing the Limits of Infinite would have been standard fare by any big league hardcore band. You see, back then many bands liked to play metal. They really loved their Slayer riffs interspersed with their mosh parts and we all ate it up because our dirt bag metal head friends wouldn't piss and moan about what we played … Read more
Reks
Rebelutionary
Gracie Procuctions/MIM Entertainment (2012)
Taking Reks’ past few years of productivity into account—dating back to 2008’s applauded Grey Hairs and last year’s R.E.K.S, a record that earned him a “Best Album of the Year” award in his hometown of Boston—it is clear the revered underground emcee is not one to idle by in tranquility for too long. Even with accolades for his Statik Selektah … Read more
Reks
Straight, No Chaser
Brick\Showoff (2012)
Nipping at the heels of 2011’s acclaimed Rythmatic Eternal King Supreme—a record that earned him nominations in Boston for both “Hip-Hop Artist of the Year” and “Album of the Year”—Reks returns alongside fellow Beantowner—and a man that knows a thing or two about striking while the iron is hot—DJ/Producer Statik Selektah. Where Reks’ previous albums have featured beats from a … Read more
Remedy
Cool
Laserlife Records (2017)
One thing I love about split albums is that there’s more often than not one band on it that is new to me. I’ve discovered some really great bands or albums because a band I love introduced me to another band through a split record. Case in point: Remedy. I just loved their split with ESC Life earlier this year. … Read more
Remnants
Suspension
Tycho Magnetic Anomalies (2011)
Brooklyn based drone purveyors Remnants four track cassette Suspension is a curious little release, building on a foundation of fuzzy electronic notes, and deep unnerving tones. Lead track "Ornamentals" is a tad unsettling in it's minimalism. The quiet buzz of white noise sitting just behind dissonant strikes slowly build in sound level, washing over the touches of an almost bell-like … Read more
Renee Heartfelt
Death of the Ghost
Textbook Music (2005)
I often wonder how musicians reach the point in their lives where they want to make a change in their musical endeavors. Perhaps they no longer find the frantic and chaotic world of hardcore/punk interesting. Maybe they have been screaming and breaking shit on stage for so long that they no longer know what they're angry about. For whatever reasons … Read more
Repercussion
And the Winner is...
Spook City (2004)
While this album has been out for a little while now, it's somewhat coincidental that I am reviewing it as television is graced with The Contender. Just like the 16 boxing contestants that are competing for a chance at a lump sum to change their life, Repercussion is completing with the ever-increasing number of tough-guy hardcore bands fighting for our … Read more
Resplendent
Am I Free? I Am Free
Mixx Tape (2005)
You might not have heard of Michael Lenzi, aka Resplendent, but if you have, you're probably wondering how a guy like this can go so unnoticed. He's that favorite actor or actress you fall in love with at first sight, but in this case, first listen. If you've missed out on the last three records, be here for what might … Read more
Restorations
LP2
Side One Dummy (2013)
Is classic rock punk now a genre? I don’t have a whole lot of background with Restorations, other than catching half a set at Fest 11 last year. The energy in the room was powerful and vocalist Jon Loudon had a distinct and memorable voice, of the raspy variety. What I get in LP2, my first recorded introduction to the … Read more
Retox
Ugly Animals
Ipecac (2011)
Many wondered what was next for Justin Pearson. The man known for many project (Swing Kids, The Locust, 31G Records, etc) had been out of the musical limelight for awhile. Late last year Retox announced their formation and released a demo. The demo was a nice surprise as it was similar to the early material of The Locust but with … Read more
Reunions
Aching Waits
La Escalera Records / Def Cow Records (2018)
You know how once you get an idea in your head, you can’t shake it no matter what else comes up? That’s happened to me in reviewing Aching Waits, an EP released at the start of the year by San Francisco’s Reunions.This 4-song 12” EP has nice variation across the board, yet I keep coming back to Hot Water Music, … Read more
