Frog Eyes
The Folded Palm
Absolutely Kosher (2004)
Make no mistake: Victoria, B.C. based band Frog Eyes aren't the amphibious offshoots of cacophonous rabble-rousers Wolf Eyes. If anything, these 'Eyes' are a whole different breed of animal. On The Folded Palm, the group's first for Absolutely Kosher and third overall, Frog Eyes fuse a unique sound encompassing lush, bittersweet organ melodies, reverb-heavy guitars, the freewheeling antics of a … Read more
From a Second Story Window
Delenda
Metal Blade (2006)
Though never officially diagnosed, I am almost certain that I suffer from some form of Attention Deficit Disorder. Apparently, only 4 to 6 percent of all Americans actually have ADD. This estimate seems remarkably low considering the ever-decreasing attention spans of many modern hardcore/metal bands. From a Second Story Window are a technically adept quintet that sporadically weave various elements … Read more
From Ashes Rise
Rejoice The End / Rage Of Sanity
Southern Lord (2012)
Formed in Nashville, Tennessee during the mid-‘90s American crust punk swell, From Ashes Rise later relocated to their current base in Portland, Oregon, where alongside fellow scene forerunners His Hero Is Gone, Tragedy and Hellshock, they helped cast the prototype for modern-day “epic crust punk”—a big sound that, while still rooted in anarcho-minded lyricism, apocalyptic imagery and D-beat, displays a … Read more
From Oceans to Autumn
Pareto Analysis II: The Vital Few
Independent (2013)
From Oceans to Autumn is a band that I was surprised was not on my post-metal radar. They have a surprisingly prolific (and notably high-quality) output for a band that was just formed in 2006, and with the release of the second volume in their Pareto Analysis series, The Vital Few, they are showing no signs of slowing down.What I … Read more
From the Ground Up
Words Can't Explain
Round Two (2006)
Words Can't Explain may be the title of this compilation of From The Ground Up's 2004 demo and a handful of new songs recorded in 2005, but I'd be likely to say that words can explain, however. The band's one-sheet describes the sound of From the Ground Up as "mixing the vocals of Turning Point with the musical influences of … Read more
Frontierer
Oxidized
Independent (2021)
So, here’s the new Frontierer. I’ll cut it as is right out of the gate – it’s a disappointment. I’ve seen the backlash at people criticizing the record, but they’re few in between and most seem to praise it to high heaven, which…is honestly mystifying to me – but – to each his own. I’ll level with all of you, … Read more
Frostmourn
Fall of Lordaron
Independent (2005)
Contrary to what anyone may think, writing an unbiased review is actually a pretty difficult process. I mean, when it comes to certain bands that you may have liked for years, that whole impartiality thing is a lot harder to come by than for a band you've never heard of before. What's worse is that when Frostmourn's Fall of Lordaron … Read more
Fu Manchu
We Must Obey
Liquor and Poker Music (2007)
If you are reading this, you are wasting time. Buy Fu Manchu's We Must Obey and buy it now. The album's already a few months old, yet without a review on Scene Point Blank. Injustice I say, injustice! Fu Manchu's tenth album orders you to buy it, to cherish it, to love it. And well... We must obey! For the … Read more
Fuck Buttons
Street Horrrsing
ATP (2008)
When I was eleven my mother asked me if the family should remodel our basement, converting it into a living room and bedrooms for both my sister and me. Heading into middle school, a time when children begin to blossom socially, I thought this was a great idea. The freedoms were readily apparent. I began taking interest in the local … Read more
Fucked Up
David Comes To Life
Matador (2011)
It was one of the most anticipated albums of the year, and was welcomed with such positive reception. Needless to say, my expectations were high. Chemistry of Common Life was one of my favorite albums of 2008 and the idea of Fucked Up writing a rock-opera was intriguing to me. Now it's months later, and I'm still trying to figure … Read more
Fucked Up
Glass Boys
Matador (2014)
Even though I’ve listened to some of their material, I hadn't really plunged deep into Fucked Up-mania. It wasn’t until I checked out their new song “Paper The House” that I became captivated by the music of this tumultuous, rudely-named band. The tribal drum intro, the ecstatic guitar duel, and barechested frontman Damian Abraham’s face-melting, guttural howls make Glass Boys’ … Read more
Fucked Up
Hidden World
Jade Tree (2006)
By now, you've probably already heard Hidden World. It leaked months ago, and the band even posted a link to one of its downloading proxies on their blog. Before long the Internet was awash in reactions, most grouped along two polarities - while plenty of listeners thought they were hearing something important, just as many others lamented that "the drums … Read more
Fucked Up
The Chemistry of Common Life
Matador (2008)
In Fucked Up's early years, they only released songs on seven-inch records, two songs at time, sometimes three, very rarely four or more. Songs during the fifties and sixties were released in a similar fashion, the jukebox single on the a-side with one or two more on the back. Songs rarely exceeded the four-minute mark due to the space constraints … Read more
Fucked Up
Year of the Dog
Blocks Recording Club (2006)
The Chinese Zodiac dictates that the dog will come through for me every time. The dog, I'm told, is reliable, empathetic, and intelligent. The dog is the kind of friend everybody can use. For a few years now, Fucked Up has played the dog for me. I resisted at first, after somebody led me to believe they traded in the … Read more
Fucked Up
Year of the Pig
Whats Your Rupture? (2007)
Fucked Up are on intimate terms with ambiguity. It's a rare virtue, since as a rule rock bands tend to seek the comfort of ham-fisted moralism or an apathy either hard-partying or self-pitying. But like Sylvia Plath circa Ariel or the earliest punk bands, Fucked Up stamp their works with an intimidating and sometimes uncomfortable symbolic resonance, leaving it to … Read more
Fueled by Fire
Spread the Fire
Metal Blade (2007)
Let's not beat around the bush. Despite a valiant effort at bringing thrash back to the masses, Fueled by Fire just aren't the ones to do the job. It's a tall order - there'll always be the diehards (mostly in their late thirties) that will buy pretty much anything remotely thrash related. This album is for them. The albums that … Read more
Full Contact / Heartbreak Kid
GNP Split Series Vol. 1
GNP (2006)
Split CDs are never a good idea because you usually don't have any clue what's going on, especially when you have two bands that sound alike. At least with vinyl, you have to make a conscious effort and turn the piece of wax over. Maybe the first GNP Split Series will be the split CD that changes everything for me. … Read more
Full Of Hell
Amber Mote in the Black Vault
Bad Teeth Recordings (2016)
Full of Hell remain successful in orbiting the broad domain of hardcore punk without becoming victims of convention or straying from ethic. With the release of Amber Mote in the Black Vault via John Hoffman’s (Weekend Nachos) Bad Teeth Recordings, “stagnation” simply does not appear to be a part of the Maryland/Pennsylvania outfit’s vocabulary. The group grows more and more … Read more
