Rorcal
Heliogabalus
Cal Of Ror (2010)
Rorcal, from Switzerland, present Heliogabalus , a near-perfect doom/drone album. This record is so dark that the cover can’t even be seen on a computer. Hell, the music is so dark that some may not even be able to listen it. It takes a valiant effort to listen to a 1 song album that clocks in at 70 minutes, especially … Read more
Rorcal
Vilagvege
Cal Of Ror (2013)
My favorite thing about reviewing albums, aside from occasionally offending overly sensitive music fans or band members, is being unexpectedly surprised by an album that I otherwise may have missed. The description for Vilagvege on Rorcal’s website includes a line that initially peaked my interest. “When Doom turns into Black, you can't expect anything but chaos.” While it is a … Read more
Rosetta
Wake/Lift
Translation Loss (2007)
If you're unfamiliar with Rosetta, punch yourself. Seriously, I'll wait. Go ahead and punch yourself if you've never heard of Rosetta. Okay now By now, you're probably asking why you just punched yourself? Punch yourself again for thinking that! After you've finish listening to Wake/Lift, the band's sophomore release, you'll know exactly why. Following the release of their 2005 debut, … Read more
Rot in Hell
As Pearls Before Swine
Deathwish Inc. (2011)
This record has been a long time coming. It had been announced quite awhile back with little to no info given to anyone outside of the Deathwish camp. In the meantime Rot In Hell went about further building their name as one of the next great European Hardcore bands. Rot In Hell are generally related to the sound Integrity has … Read more
Rot in Hell
Hallways of the Always
A389/Grot (2009)
If you're not familiar with Rot in Hell, then this collection of recordings is a great place to start. Hallways of the Always compiles all the recordings the U.K. hardcore band has in one package. This compilation includes their demo 7", split 7" recordings with Brain Dead, Hordes, and The Process, as well as additional tracks not found anywhere else. … Read more
Rotterdam Ska Jazz Foundation ft. Bosco
Big Horns EP
WTF Records (2018)
Just look at the name of this band. Any associations? Mine was: ah, Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation, Killimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble, must be working along the same lines. And in a way it is. This band delivers exactly what they promise: a blend of ska and jazz. And in doing so sounds nothing like the other two bands, so you can … Read more
Rotting Christ
Aealo
Season of Mist (2010)
If you're like me, you've seen the name 'Rotting Christ' thrown around for years, but you never listened to the band because you assumed it was an unremarkable throwback black metal band whose albums suffer from unbearably bad recording quality. But since Earwax in Madison was carrying the band's new album, I figured I'd give them a quick listen, because … Read more
Rotting Out
Ronin
Pure Noise (2020)
Back in March, I attended a stop on the American Nightmare "reunion" tour, celebrating twenty years since they self-booked their first show at a church in Maine. While I still remain loyal to my wheelhouse of early- to mid-2000s hardcore, I hadn’t been to a show in nearly a decade. What I found there was somewhat expected yet still disheartening … Read more
Rotting Out
Street Prowl
6131 (2011)
There's something generally referred to as a summer record. That elusive album that you can blast out of the windows of your car and feel perfectly in that time frame and state of mind. Most of the time these records are otherwise questionable pop albums that may be slightly embarrassing otherwise. Rarely it works out that these records are just … Read more
Roy
Big City Sin and Small Town Redemption
Fueled By Ramen (2003)
The whole "ex-members of" marketing campaign is starting to get out of control. The hype that surrounds these types of bands before they even release anything is ridiculous. What is the point of even reviewing them if all you ever hear is about is the artists' former endeavors? And with that question posed, I introduce you to the band Roy, … Read more
Royal Brat
Eyesore
Moniker Records (2018)
Royal Brat follow an intriguing trend I see in a lot of queer punk: taking direct and heavy subject matter and addressing it with vitriol, then flipping a switch from anger to singsong and back. It’s fascinating that the two emotions, so different, can jump back and forth without feeling more jarring.Eyesore is the first full-length from Royal Brat, out … Read more
Royal Headache
Self Titled
Whats Your Rupture? (2012)
Royal Headache has been gathering some hype lately. Their self-titled record is a twelve track piece of high energy garage-punk, blazing past in twenty-six minutes. It’s clean; it’s crisp; yet, it’s also got a driving rhythm section and more than its share of aggression. While the genredrop isn’t necessarily difficult based on their sound, it feels unfair to pigeonhole them, … Read more
Royal Thunder
CVI
Relapse (2012)
Like many albums, I picked up Royal Thunder's CVI because I heard someone somewhere describe it as progressive metal. Like many of those albums, it turned out to have little to do with the genre. Unlike the majority of those albums, however, I wound up being impressed by this one anyway, and here's why:Royal Thunder may just be the last … Read more
Rudimentary Peni
Cacophony (Re-issue)
Outer Himilayan (2013)
In the darkest recesses of some of our minds lies an unspeakable and unknowable terror, and some artists have brushed against that darkness throughout time (some recent examples might be H.P. Lovecraft, Francis Bacon, and a select few others) and Cacophony is a perfect illustration for the madness induced by such brushes with our inner demons; although nowhere near as … Read more
Rudimentary Peni
No More Pain
Southern (2008)
Rudimentary Peni are, at least in some circles, a criminally underrated punk band that releases music semi steadily since their inception (besides the seven year layoff between their landmark album, Cacophony and its successor Pope Adrian 37th). Cacophony is a personal favorite and always keeps me coming back to their material and checking out the new material whenever it hits … Read more
Ruined Families
Four Wall Freedom
Independent (2010)
Ruined Families are another band entering the hardcore sweepstakes. The band hailing from Greece carries the torch that Cursed carried. Meaning you're in for heavy nasty sounding hardcore with metal influence. The band stay fast and gritty throughout the album leaving little doubt that they are beyond pissed. Much like the aforementioned Cursed the lyrics stay on a more personal … Read more
Ruiner
Hell is Empty
Bridge Nine (2009)
With Hell is Empty Ruiner return with one scathing, vicious, and beautiful album. It was worth the two year wait that fans endured between this Prepare to be Let Down. What Ruiner had developed on Prepare to be Let Down has been greatly expanded upon on Hell is Empty. The songwriting is much more dynamic, and J. Robbins' organic production … Read more
Ruiner
I Heard These Dudes are Assholes
Bridge Nine (2008)
I really want to know why this CD even exists in the first place? Ruiner's last album Prepare to Be Letdown is barely in its toddler stage and the 1917 Records EP What Could Possibly Go Right is just entering preschool. Is there really a need for re-releasing material that isn't even half a decade old? Are their super fans … Read more
