Playing Enemy
My Life as the Villain
Hex (2008)
When Playing Enemy announced their recent demise not long after James Brown shuffled forth this mortal coil, the announcement fell on mostly deaf ears to the majority of underground/ independent music, which is almost as unfortunate (maybe more so) than the band actually calling it a day. Besides the continuation of an impressive lineage of like minded, noise mongering bands … Read more
Polar Bear Club
Sometimes Things Just Disappear
Red Leader (2008)
Every once in awhile a new band comes down the pike and reaffirms your love for music. A couple years ago it was Crime in Stereo before they decided to become Brand New. This year's candidate is Rochester, NY's Polar Bear Club. It's not that Sometimes Things Just Disappear is an adventure into new musical landscapes as Polar Bear Club … Read more
Police & Thieves
Amor Y Guerra
Youngblood (2008)
It must have been two or three years ago now that I received Police & Thieves demo in the mail. I think it came with record I ordered from Youngblood actually; I can't remember. Anyway, that demo was pretty darn good; I was actually more impressed with it than the members' previous outings - Worn Thin, among others. Well the … Read more
Police & Thieves
Amor Y Guerra (Reissue)
Youngblood (2008)
Michael already reviewed the 7" version of this. The only thing that's different is that the CD version has the demo tacked on for good measure. Anyhow, Police & Thieves is ex-members of Worn Thin and play aggressive melodic hardcore that you can tell that Police & Thieves is from the nation's capitol. If you like Dag Nasty or the … Read more
Population Reduction
Each Birth a New Crime
Tankcrimes (2008)
Like weed? What about beer? Okay, here's the clincher: what about loud as shit cynicism rammed into your sloping skull at diarrhea speed? Yeah? Check out Each Birth a New Disaster, the first album by Population Reduction, a two man grind band from San Francisco that drills your eardrums with blast beats, the blackest of thrash riffs, and death metal … Read more
Primal Age
A Hell Romance
Customcore (2008)
A Hell Romance is my first exposure to French metal/hardcore hybrid Primal Age. Prior to this release they've knocked out a few other recordings, garnering a name for themselves in Europe and shows with plenty of big names. On this twelve-song full-length they unleash a quite powerful and punishing metalcore mixture in the style of xMaroonx, Turmoil, Hatebreed, and even … Read more
Pristina
Khe Sanh
Bombfarm (2008)
Pristina is a metal/hardcore outfit from Connecticut. The arrival of their latest EP, Khe Sanh, to my doorstep was a pleasant surprise, one that was not expected but is now appreciated. This group of individuals delivers a fairly heavy and burly concoction of metal-core. Their sound is quite gritty and raw and, well, very dirty sounding. At points I found … Read more
Protestant
The Hate. The Hollow.
Halo of Flies/Rust and Machine (2008)
Sometimes bands lose sight of what they originally set out to accomplish. They get whipped up in their popularity and compromise themselves, and in turn can pander to a wider audience for fear of losing their reputation. Protestant is not likely to be one of those bands. This Milwaukee hardcore crossover outfit promotes their DIY roots, and they have no … Read more
Puscifer
V is for Viagra: The Remixes
Puscifer Entertainment (2008)
Remix album - blah blah - no one buys them - yadda yadda - only useful for DJs - hamana hamana hamana. Now that that's out of the way, we can talk about this Puscifer release. For anyone not in the know, Puscifer is a solo-ish project by Maynard James Keenan of Tool and A Perfect Circle fame. To those … Read more
Pussygutt
She Hid Behind Her Veil
20 Buck Spin (2008)
Pussygutt is a two-piece ambient droning doom outfit. Well, not exactly but a more accurate description may be given as Pussygutt is a group that works their magic with two actual members and a revolving cast of collaborators as its two masterminds (Brittany McConnell and Blake Green) see fit. She Hid Behind Her Veil is the third album from the … Read more
Putois
The Problem is not a Problem Anymore
Cerebral Cliff (2008)
A friend asked me the other day if it would be possible to write a record review vein of a musical genre. I mean we all get sick of the formulaic quality these things often take, don't we? For me this means constantly trying new things out. My biggest setback isn't in telling a reader whether I think some thing … Read more
Pygmy Lush
Mount Hope
Lovitt (2008)
The metamorphosis is complete. Where Bitter River combined harsh and acoustic tracks, Mount Hope excludes the 'harsh.' In this way, one can view Pygmy Lush's roots, the seminal Pg. 99 and City of Caterpillar, as the larva, or caterpillar, if you will. Pygmy Lush's first release, Bitter River, then serves as the cocoon transition between musicians' prior work into the … Read more
Pyramids
Pyramids
Hydra Head (2008)
So Pyramids is one of a slew of new bands making their debuts with Hydra Head recently. However, this outfit seems to have either a much lower profile than the label's most recent output or Pyramids completely flew under everyone's radar, and thus allows this self-titled album to be quite the surprise. After hearing their samples available in certain notorious … Read more
Racebannon
Acid or Blood
Southern (2008)
My first thought when I look at Racebannon's Myspace profile is that their vocalist, Mike Anderson, has a bit of the curly-haired Ween look to him. That thought is quickly replaced as I scroll down at the four long-hairs, with dark symbols on their foreheads and doused with blood. The lasting impression is that Racebannon are some theatrical dudes who … Read more
Radio War
The Rising of the Talentless
Copper Lung (2008)
Richmond has always had an impressive hardcore scene, so it's no surprise to hear good things from the city in Radio War. The Rising of the Talentless is the band's first label release and the second for upstart Copper Lung Records. This 7" comes packed with four tracks of gritty and groove-heavy hardcore punk. "The Boy Gangs of Richmond" is … Read more
Ramming Speed
Brainwreck
Teenage Disco Bloodbath (2008)
Boston-based Ramming Speed burst onto the scene with their debut 7" in 2007. The EP followed suit of the crossover/thrash revival that had recently begun to sweep our nation. But don't write these fellows of as a knockoff, Ramming Speed is the real deal and the thirteen songs found on Brainwreck are evidence of just that. "Speed Trials" kickstarts the … Read more
Ratatat
LP3
XL Recordings (2008)
Even if you haven't heard of Ratatat, you've heard them. They boast an impressive list of their songs featured in endless commercials and movies. Ratatat is everywhere. Beginning in 2004 as simply a guitar and synth, they recorded their entire debut album on a laptop. With their fortunate connections they released Ratatat in the U.S. and the U.K., and quickly … Read more
Razzle Dazzle
Strictly Saucers
Lockin Out (2008)
Detroit, Michigan's Razzle Dazzle (or Rzl Dzl for the vowely impaired) is two dudes named Will and Haroun who basically just want you and everyone to rage. They aren't asking for Molotov cocktail type carnage as you try and smash the "man" in an anarchist state of complete disobedience. Nope, I think Razzle Dazzle's drink of choice is probably whatever … Read more
