Review / 200 Words Or Less
Steel Trap
Cold.Dead.Broke.

This Blessing, This Curse (2006) Michael

Steel Trap – Cold.Dead.Broke. cover artwork
Steel Trap – Cold.Dead.Broke. — This Blessing, This Curse, 2006

Steel Trap is the latest export from the highly talented Bay Area scene. This five-piece group serves up volatile hardcore that no doubt gets the dance floor moving. The 7" kicks off with your typical intro track of building guitars and a sing-along, this one is "T-S-M!" - not to sure on the meaning of that though, must be an inside joke. "Crowbar Massacre" is a beast of a tune, the riffs are hard and the lyrics are seriously twisted - they even get a little help from Ross Farrar of Ceremony for some guest vocals. "Corroded" and "South E.." continue to churn out a heavy mix of brutal hardcore and metal. Steel Trap save the best for last with the track "Note of Confession." Musically the song hits just as hard as the others, but the lyrics are what make the song, touching on the personal topic of dealing with the unjust loss of a loved one. This 7" is worth it for this track alone, so go buy it.

8.0 / 10Michael • August 29, 2006

Steel Trap – Cold.Dead.Broke. cover artwork
Steel Trap – Cold.Dead.Broke. — This Blessing, This Curse, 2006

Related news

Steel Trap Call It Quits

Posted in Splits on July 14, 2008

Steel Trap Prep Debut Full-Length

Posted in Records on April 10, 2008

Trash Talk / Steel Trap Tourdates

Posted in Tours on January 14, 2007

Recently-posted album reviews

Miller Lowlifes

Pinch Hitters
ADD Records (2025)

The debut album from Florida punk band Miller Lowlifes features a vintage baseball theme, best enjoyed with a can of cheap domestic beer in hand. The metaphor fits, as Pinch Hitters focuses on the American dream -- and where it stands in 2025. The vintage educational TV audio clips add to this past-meets-present theme. It's an album that's equally about … Read more

Art Brut

Sorry, That It Doesn't Sound Like It's Planned! Battling Satan, 2009 - 2020
Edsel Records (2025)

I’ve never reviewed a box set before but Art Brut released my favourite sprechgesang anti-art-punk album of the early aughts so I figured I’d give it a go. 2005’s Bang Bang Rock & Roll placed Art Brut among the “Art Wave” scene but was more post-punk revival than “Indie Sleaze”. Argos has cited Jonathan Richman and Axl Rose as his … Read more

The Slow Death

No Light To See
Don’t Sing Records (2025)

Few bands have as fitting a name as The Slow Death. They play forlorn, self-deprecating punk that’s heavily influenced by lonesome country. The music itself is more driving and punchy, but many of the lyrics would fit just well in a somber old-timey country ballad. It’s forceful music that punches inward instead of at The Man. The first song is … Read more