June CD Reviews (in alphabetical order)

ABANDON
IN REALITY WE SUFFER
EARACHE RECORDS
Maybe I'm tired, or maybe I'm bored, bored with slow, uninteresting, monotonous metal. This is Abandon. IN REALITY WE SUFFER is the perfect title for this album, because in reality listening to it is suffering. Although there is deep, scary growling and lots of bass to back it up, I can't help but wander. Hailing from Sweden, Abandon takes the idea of being slow for dramatic effect way too seriously. On a lighter note, I have to give props to track 3, "Somnambulistic". It's not only a good song, , but the title is amazing, a rather awesome word that means motor skills practiced while asleep - i.e. sleep walking. I'll admit I looked it up, but only because the rest of the album lingers on too long for it to keep my attention.
-Courtney Strain

ACID KING
III
SMALL STONE
Acid King's pummeling low-end attack is once again captured in album form, a Billy Anderson-produced seven-track excursion that solidifies this San Francisco-based trio's place on stoner-rock upper echelon. Combining hypnotic guitar riffs, thunderous bass, and an unfailing drum groove into a cauldron of raucously rumbling rawk, III boasts some of the most enticing and trance-inducing music in stoner rock. Keeping it slow and low but exploding with bursts of dynamic radiance when need be (e.g., "War of the Mind"), Acid King's latest sojourn into the void is nothing short of essential for all who worship the fuzzed-out riff and all which accompanies it. www.smallstone.com
-Mike SOS

ADEMA
PLANETS
EARACHE
How the hell did Adema end up on Earache, the home of the heavy? Well, here they are, sans Jonathan Davis's kid brother Marky Chavez, who's been replaced by the equally generic Luke Caraccioli. They still follow the action movie soundtrack guide to hard-rock songwriting. If you still dig music in the nu-metal vein, Adema is still carrying its tattered flag around - and much like on its past efforts, isn't really doing anything to elicit any interest by anyone over 16 years old and female. www.earache.com
-Mike SOS

ANAGRAM
SONGS FROM FAR AWAY
SCENERY RECORDS
Playful synth melodies are like candy to my ears, as they work to glue all the elements together. The airy, robotic, luscious female vocals play naturally against it all, adding a nearly organic appeal. The inherent conflict is pulled off majestically enough. The endearing calmness of Death Cab for Cutie is obvious, but musically this is more interesting, and Anagram come off as a far more expressive and creative band, what with the variety in their guitar, synth, drums, melodies, and vocal delivery. For more info, visit anagrammusic.com.
-Norberto Gomez, Jr.

ANTIGAMA
DISCOMFORT
SELFMADEGOD
If any album title suited a release perfectly, it's this one, as Polish punishers Antigama's devastatingly demented release. DISCOMFORT cuts the bullshit and goes for the throat. Armed with malicious guitars (producing both crusty riffs and technical wizardry), wickedly sadistic drumming, and the sort of vocals that scare little kids and household pets, this quartet's diabolical display of dissonance and distress takes the grindcore genre out of the shadows of Satan and straight to the horrors of real life. While this is an album that goes 13 tracks deep and runs a bit over the half-hour mark, each song is given a proper amount of time to fester in your head, even as the cacophony whizzes by you at an alarming rate. If you dig Pig Destroyer, Impaled, or Nasum, you'll love what Antigama bring to the table. www.selfmadegod.com
-Mike SOS

ASGUARD
WIKKA
THIS DARK REIGN
Asguard is a metal troupe from the Eastern European country of Belarus whose sloppy melding of black, NWOBHM, and virtuoso metal would benefit from a better recording and some tightening. With some Cookie Monster vocals strewn in between Iron Maiden-esque guitar runs and some heroic six-string playing, WIKKA's overall feel sounds much like Children of Bodom without the keyboard overlay with a crazed death-metal vocalist at the helm. A bit disjointed, this disc hits its peak when the guitars intertwine to create a savage double lick that would make Judas Priest (whose "Leather Rebel" is covered here") proud (e.g., "The Black Wandering of Death Version 1"). www.devildollrecords.com
-Mike SOS

ATREYU
THE CURSE
VICTORY RECORDS
Our favorite poster boys for the new melodic metalcore movement, Atreyu, have released yet another powerhouse album. I've got to hand it to Atreyu, the sound quality on this album far surpasses anything the group has released previously. The album is a seamless blend of metal, hardcore, indie rock, and punk. Tough enough for the metalheads and soft enough for the wimpy people standing behind the pits. It seems that they front-loaded the album with the best songs, leaving an entire second half of an album that doesn't stand up to the level set by the first five songs. If you're into progressive metal, do yourself a favor and go buy this album.
-ADF

AXEL RUDI PELL
THE BALLADS III
SPV
Hard rockin' German axeman Axel Rudi Pell has put out his third installment of ballads on the appropriately-titled THE BALLADS III. This 11-track collection sounds like 1988 all over again - so much so that the only thing missing is a can of Aqua Net and some fringed leather jackets. However, fans of the beleaguered but ultimately memorable entity known as the power ballad will rejoice over this collection. Compiling the softer side of Pell's last three releases, along with three new cuts (one being a soulful cover of Rainbow's "The Temple of the King"), THE BALLADS III may not be an essential purchase, but if you're a fan with a completist complex or are a little curious on how little the power ballad has changed over the last 20 years, this CD is for you. www.spvusa.com
-Mike SOS

BAIT
ANATOMY OF DISASTER
AT THE DEEP END RECORDS
The music of Bait is amazing hardcore metal. This four-piece from the U.K. have been able to create an album that is no less than spectacular. Intense and dark lyrics that will make your ears bleed and raw anger that explodes in your head like time bombs makes this album sickly magnetic. Insanely memorable lyrics like "But the need to consume engulfs all / Sense and reason have no price" (from the second track of the album, "364 and Counting"); and "The lines / Are so blurred / All I can see is the lie" ("Forked Tongue Evolution"). With thought-provoking lyrics and music to make your brain melt, ANATOMY OF DISASTER is an album every metal-head should own. Check out their Website at www.thebaitvoid.com for an awesome bio and media.
-Courtney Strain

BALATONIZER
OCCLUSED IN OTTUSITY
THIS DARK REIGN
32 tracks of sweltering grindcore is what the Italian trio known as Balatonizer dish out on OCCLUSED IN OTTUSITY. What makes this release so endearing is not the Cookie Monster on crack vocals or the incessant barrage of rapid-fire guitars and inhumane drumbeats, but the samples of real criminals boasting of their heinous acts against society. How's that for a slice of reality? And it's all done in Italian, which only adds to the mystique. If you dig crushing grindcore and THE SOPRANOS, this disc is for you.
www.devildollrecords.com
-Mike SOS

BLEED THE SKY
PARADIGM ENTROPY
NUCLEAR BLAST
Orange County sextet Bleed the Sky are the epitome of what metal is in 2005. With that said, don't expect the raging guitars, torturous screams, and crass rhythm arrangements on PARADIGM OF ENTROPY to surprise you. This is all in the vein of Drowning Pool, Every Time I Die, and many other bands. It's okay for a quick metal fix.
-Darren Ratner

BLESSED BY A BROKEN HEART
ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR
BLOOD & INK
Christian metalcore clan Blessed by a Broken Heart aim to replace Atreyu as the 16-year-old female's new pin-up kings, yet these Canadians lack the creativity to do so. On the band's bland nine-track release, the gorged guitars and razor-throated vocals sound like countless other outfits'. Worse yet, when the band decides to go retro (in the form of rapping and '80s metalling), it falls flat fast. However, the cover art (a bad-ass skull emblazoned with a twin-turret machine gun and two intercrossed guitars) would make quite the conversation piece as a tattoo. Sadly, the album fails to even pique similar interest, although "OMG!" does show sufficient signs of life via a chugging breakdown and guttural vocals that rips into a Bury Your Dead-meets-Unearth crescendo...but one track does not an album make. www.bloodandinkrecords.com
-Mike SOS

BLIVIT
UNHAND THE WORLD
CRIMSON FIVE COMMUNICATIONS
Blivit is an up and coming trio from the Philadelphia area, and UNHAND THE WORLD is their quirky, highly catchy debut full-length. While essentially a power rock trio, the band seems to be missing one of the more important elements in a band: the guitar; but the bass, drums, keyboards, and tabla more than make up for the lack of guitar power. Plus, very solid arrangements, introspective and interesting lyrics, and a catchy pop sensibility make Blivit is better than half of the bands you hear on the radio. If you're looking for a quality album that may be a tad out of the box, check out UNHAND THE WORLD.
-Dane Jackson

BLOOD RED THRONE
ALTERED GENESIS
EARACHE
Norway's Blood Red Throne boasts a brutal death-metal attack that relentlessly shakes your brain throughout the 12-track ALTERED GENESIS. Pummeling guitar riffs and dastardly death-metal double-bass drumming prevail over the entire disc, laying down the powerful grooves found on "Ripsaw Resentment" and "Arterial Lust" with demonic enchantment. Encapsulating the trademark chaotic sounds of both Florida and Sweden's death-metal scenes, Blood Red Throne's ode to evil may not be the most groundbreaking release, but you'd be hard pressed to find a band that can properly convey the savagery of both scenes so well. www.earache.com
-Mike SOS

BRAINSTORM
LIQUID MONSTER
METAL BLADE
German power-metal troupe Brainstorm barrel down the gates on the quintet's latest offering, the 11-track LIQUID MONSTER. Fusing triumphant choruses with exhilarating guitar runs and interlocking rhythms, tracks like "Mask of Life" and "Lifeline" will summon up the metal from deep inside your soul. Falling somewhere in between vintage Queensryche, Helloween, and Iced Earth, Brainstorm's searing hooks are both heavy and catchy, while the band's overall flurry of metal is overwhelming to the casual fan but will undoubtedly please those who revel in Priest, Maiden, Dio, and the like. If you yearn for the days when falsetto metal voices were king and the riffs came fast and furious, Brainstorm has the remedy you crave. www.metalblade.com
-Mike SOS

BULLET TREATMENT
WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT? [E.P.]
BASEMENT RECORDS
I'm not going to lie to you, reader: I've liked Bullet Treatment since I was a little ol' teenager following my friends bands from club to club. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT? [E.P.] is a wonderful album. It's angry, screaming gutter punk at its best. I noticed while reading the liner notes that Bullet Treatment thanked The Jeff Tucker Extravaganza. I'm sorry to break this to you, Bullet Treatment, but The Jeff Tucker Extravaganza broke up. I'm not sure what happened to most of the OTHER band members, but Jeff Tucker is the singer in Rock Kills Kid nowadays. It's been a while since JTE has been around. If you knew them well enough to thank them, you should have known they were no longer around. Some bands don't seem to pass that test of time. Hopefully, Bullet Treatment won't be one of those bands.
-Manda-Dex-Punk

BURY YOUR DEAD
YOU HAD ME AT HELLO
EULOGY
Well, Bury Your Dead kick off YOU HAD ME AT HELLO (their debut, which initially came out in 2002 on Alveran) with the heavy-hitting "Sunday's Best", and they don't let up one bit during the ensuing nine tracks. Incorporating absolutely NO "clean" vocals or melodic breaks nor much of a metal-core sound, these guys just keep it real with pure, unadulterated, brutal, breakdown-heavy East Coast hardcore, making this album great for fans of Terror and the like. Since this album initially came out (and after the band called it quits for a brief time), BYD have signed with Victory and put out this record's follow-up, COVER YOUR TRACKS, in 2004. Still, in this reviewer's humble opinion, ...HELLO is superior.
-Janelle Jones

CALIBRETTO/MERCURY RADIO THEATER
ALL OF THESE THINGS DO NOT BELONG
STANDARD
I became really confused when I listened to this record. I wasn't sure if I was listening to the new Mr. Bungle, the new Gas Huffer, the new Quasar Wut-Wut, or the sound of Jim Carroll on even more crack than usual. This album will make you want to dance, but not in the way that Bruce Springsteen does, but more like the way that a porcupine crawling up your pant leg would. If this band were a food dish, they'd be baked beans poured over uncooked yellowtail with chocolate frosting - but it would taste good. I cannot wait to see this band live, as the show is supposedly amazing, according to The Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti. If he says it's good, it's got to be.
-Zac

CATASTROPHIC
CATASTROPHIC
SELF-RELEASED
Churning out some old-school death-metal riffs and sensibilities, the members of NY-based Catastrophic are no strangers to the scene. Boasting members of Pyrexia and Obituary, this three-song sampler sounds like the perfect mix of the two bands, as the mid-tempo deathgrip of "Dismale" should leave your ears discernibly battered and bruised. If you're big into the mid-'90s death-metal sound, this band (now on tour in Europe) is just what you need. www.catastrophic.org
-Mike SOS

CIVET
MASSACRE
DISASTER RECORDS
These ladies express life experiences via an honest, sexy, aggressive sound. Their debut CD release is sex, love, and rock 'n' roll contained in melodic punk riffs. They have a gritty edge while remaining accessible. These are high-energy tracks you can sing along to with your fist in the air. Reminiscent of those who have come before, they borrow from all to make it their own. Regardless of the fact the lead vocals resemble a female Tom Waits coked out, it's still a digestible album. In fact, the raspy vocals only add to the aesthetic of MASSACRE. And with lyrics like, "Listen, motherfucker, if your dick wasn't so small, I wouldn't have left you in the first place"...
-Kevin Farr

CLARA VENUS
GREATEST HURTS
SELF-RELEASED
Is it merely coincidental that lovelorn trio Clara Venus released its melancholic rock opus to fractured relationships on Valentine's Day? Probably not, because few things this clever outfit does seem unplanned, from the dazzlingly dynamic rhythm of "Doesn't Work Right" to the AC/DC-meets-The Replacements shuffle of "Liar". GREATEST HURTS exposes the band's losses in matters of the heart with wide-eyed honesty and rock 'n' roll pretense, never losing sight that their hearts are both on their sleeves and entrenched in spacious riffs (as in "Talk") or dragging melodies (like on "Dry Razor's Hand"). With the influences of Dylan, Westerberg, Cobain, and Bowie shining through their heartbreaking melodies, GREATEST HURTS is an album to cry along to, a collection of breakup songs that truly encompass all of those emotions from the day after and beyond. www.claravenus.com
-Mike SOS

CONGRESS OF ODDITTIES
ALIVE
SELF-RELEASED
ALIVE is the latest release by Queens, NY's Congress of Odditties, whose brand of love rock is accentuated by sultry siren Jessica Rendon, propelling these 12 tracks to another level. While the band provides a soulfully danceable (think late '70s Studio 54 rock ‡ la Blondie or Chic meets PJ Harvey) backdrop on tracks like "To Dig You", on the hard rock-meets-disco design of "Follow Me" and the bass-grooving "Incarnate Man", Rendon's doe-eyed delivery and silky smooth voice transcend your typical female-fronted rock music and thrusts you into a time warp complete with lighted dance floors and risquÈ behavior. Diva-fronted rock without the tantrums and drama, Congress of Odditties throw in dollops of bluesy guitars, lounge-rock percussion, and funky bass and come up with a solid release. www.congressofodditties.com
-Mike SOS

CULT OF LUNA
SALVATION
EARACHE
Sensational Swedish septet Cult of Luna returns with SALVATION, a gallant eight-track, 73-minute affair. Juxtaposing the ethereal vibe of Neurosis with the sonic crush of Isis, tracks like "Vague Illusions" morph from aggressive bits of vocal shrapnel to atmospheric guitar interludes. While some may argue that the album is weighty and overwrought overall, tracks like the bone-chilling "White Cell" showcase just how mighty Cult of Luna can be when the death-metal world meets the prog-rock realm in a battle for earth-shaking metal's coveted crown. As Axl Rose once sang, you just need "a lil' patience" (and perhaps some good drugs) to fully appreciate the gothic doom and metallic mope Cult of Luna pristinely deliver. www.earache.com
-Mike SOS

CYBER-JACK
THE GREAT RED SPOT
SURPRISE RECORDS
This five-man band likes to spin off of the fact that they were forged from the violence of Sao Paulo, Brazil. As I read further through the bio, I found out that recognition is all they hope for and that if nobody likes their album, then they are stuck in Brazil with no life's purpose. No pressure, though. It starts off with a promising Tool-like drone with a creepy piano in the background. Cyber-Jack has all the F.U. energy of gritty dirt punk, but it's presented in a more modernly accessible manner. Mainstream potential, but not in a cheesy way. They truly do have a unique sound. I don't often find myself saying that (except when it applies to the hopelessly insane in the subways playing for nickels). Tempo changes allow for a range of different emotional appeal, and there is some sensitivity mixed in with the proclamations of anger.
-Thomas Murray

DARKEST HOUR
PARTY SCARS AND PRISON BARS DVD
VICTORY RECORDS
This DVD is packed with a history of the band done in bathtub interviews and various other locations. Some Warped Tour footage and tales from the road give us a further idea of what the band is like offstage. They are a likable sort, although not as diabolical and mean as I might have imagined from listening to some of their music before watching this. The reocurring George W. cut-out skit is amusing, as well as an arrest story. This humanizes these kids further. That is the coolest thing about these DVDs is that they remind us that these are people just like us, which I think is important to remember once in a while - especially for people actually in bands. This DVD peels back a few layers off of one of the harder bands I have heard lately - and it turns out they tell a decent story
-Thomas Murray

DAYS AWAY
MAPPING AN INVISIBLE WORLD
FUELED BY RAMEN RECORDS
MAPPING AN INVISIBLE WORLD is Days Away's debut album, and as far as debut albums go, it's not too bad. The album (which is produced by Neil Avron, who is responsible for such acts as Yellowcard and New Found Glory) has put together 11 tracks of purely atmospheric indie rock filled with thick melodies and almost lo-fi guitars. The tempo never really picks up throughout the album, so make sure that you're expecting a purely mellow experience with this record. While the quality and talent are there, MAPPING AN INVISIBLE WORLD is the kind of record I can put on in the background and forget about. It may get a tad on the boring side from time to time, but there's no denying that these guys are talented musicians.
-Dane Jackson

DE NOVO DAHL
CATS AND KITTENS
THEORY 8 RECORDS
The debut full-length from Nashville's quirky art-pop pioneers De Novo Dahl is a long and complicated affair. With a two-disc set consisting of 16 original songs on the "Cats" disc and all 16 songs remixed on the "Kittens" disc, the band overwhelms the listener with quantity. There's a little bit of everything her, including sweet pop tunes, funk, subdued rock, and a sense that the band is moving in six different directions at once. The band is probably best known for its outlandish live shows where each unpredictable gig presents a new puzzle. The musicians have dressed in hot pink Daisy Dukes, hosted ice-cream socials and spaghetti dinners during a show, and turned one of the gigs into a beach party. While one can't help but admire the sheer audacity of these inspired artists, the band should put a little more focus on the music.
-Dug

DEBRIS INC.
DEBRIS INC.
CANDLELIGHT
When members of seminal metal outfits Trouble and St. Vitus join forces in a project, what's a listener to expect? Debris Inc. answer that burning question with the sheer sonic force and a huge retro sound that actually is more punk than you'd expect from purveyors and pioneers of the doom-metal scene. On this 17-track opus, Dave Chandler (St. Vitus), Ron Holzner (Trouble), and a rotating array of drummers (including Jimmy Bower of Down/Eyehategod) turn the clock back a bit and pound out some lo-fi, drunk/stoned crossover punk ‡ la DRI, DOA, and Black Flag. But fear not, there's doom aplenty here, as the creeping "The Old Man and His Bong", the slow churn of "Pain", and "The Life and Time of Claude and Elmo" relive the glory days of doom...but not before Debris Inc. bitch-slap you with the unsanitized sounds that punk used to make (e.g., "Shut Up" and the Fear cover "I Love Living in the City"). If you remember any of these guys' past works or have heard of their legacy, this CD worth the listen. www.candlelightrecords.co.uk
-Mike SOS

DOG FACED GODS
STONED COUNCIL
VOODOO NATION RECORDS
STONED COUNCIL is absolutely horrible. The album is filled with hook-laden, radio-friendly alternative metal that just feels so uninspired. Even when the band tries to add a harder to edge to some of their songs (like on "Brings Me Down") it sounds contrived and forced. I'm not 100% sure why critics have been hailing this as hard rock, because in my opinion it's stale, generic, and repetitive. While these all sound like negative things, Dog Faced Gods' sound has cemented them commercial success. The splashes of hip-hop throughout also make them seem like nu-metal rejects. Maybe if these guys laid off the pot they could release a record that is worth listening to.
-Dane Jackson

DOPE SMOOTHIE
GO STRIKE
ELITIST LOW BROW RECORDS
Dope Smoothie is a Seattle three-piece that plays a style of lo-fi rock that is very much in the vein of The Pixies and Sonic Youth. Although the sound is very early '90s, I dig it because it's different than every other rock band out there that is doing the '80s vibe. On a side note, thank god this isn't a beauty contest, or the guys in Dope Smoothie would be S.O.L.
-ADF

DMF
D IS FOR DIRTY
SELF-RELEASED
I'm sure these boys think they are putting out profound punk music that will someday reach the masses, but, well, they're wrong. Singing "Put your hat on straight" over and over again in a song doesn't make it a cool song. Who fucking cars which way you wear your hat?! The vocals on this album are also not very good. I enjoy bands with singers who scream, I enjoy bands with singers who sing, but I do not enjoy a singer who sounds as if he is grunting out all of the words. If you like grunting punk music with stupid lyrics, then you might possibly dig this band; otherwise, don't bother.
-Manda-Dex-Punk

EARTHLESS
SONIC PRAYER
GRAVITY RECORDS
This is an all-instrumental rock album that pretty much sound like it could be the result of an all-night acid binge. I'm all for experimentation, but this album sounds like a thousand rock albums that came out in the 1970s, or it could be what you hear every time you sit in a Guitar Center for too long. Gravity Records has put out some great recordings in its history, but this is definitely not one of them.
-ADF

EL TORO
MAY AND MARIELLE
UNDECIDED RECORDS
Terribly boring pop/rock! This is what the mainstream deems "singer/songwriter" material - which means crap like Ryan Cabrera. I'm a fan of mellow, acoustic moods and a very personal vocal delivery; however, this type of artists are so extremely boring and stereotypical with their songwriting that suicide is definitely a possibility. A good point about the album is the cohesive concept of MAY AND MARIELLE. Many thoughts are revisited about the two females throughout the album. So, El Toro is a step above the rest of the crap by the sheer fact that they aren't full on uncreative bozos. However, the songs are sooooo long and monotonous that my statement about suicide must once again be revisited. Unless you're going to blow me away with profound statements or musical expression, I'm not gonna hear your six-freaking-minute song. For more info, visit undecidedrecords.com.
-Norberto Gomez, Jr.

ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN
BURN BRIGHTÖBURN FAST!
TKO RECORDS
Long after Electric Frankenstein had made its name in high-energy, fast-paced, rocking hardcore a fast and furious reality, I heard people start to call such rock "drag rock" - like drag racing. Sure, I can feel the tires grabbing the asphalt as they turn semi-liquid under friction and the g-forces of going faster more dangerously than man was meant to go. So, if you would like that feeling while still hanging in your living room by the speakers with a cold one in hand, this is the soundtrack for that. Electric Frankenstein also gets credit for picking some winning covers: "Talk, Talk" (Music Machine), "Moving Targets" (Flo & Eddie), and "Candy-O" (The Cars). www.TKORecords.com
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

ETERNAL FLIGHT
POSITIVE RAGE
CRUZ DEL SUR
Eternal Flight is by far one of the most uplifting metal bands to come down the pike in a very long time. Despite the fact that this outfit plays the kind of power metal usually relegated to songs about dungeons, dragons, swords, and sorcerers, this French outfit is equipped with both lyrics and an attitude that put forth all-around good feelings. 11 tracks of Primal Fear meets early Queensryche, majestic yet operatic metal is what you'll find on POSITIVE RAGE. If you like your metal progressive (‡ la Dream Theater) with power metal parts that fans of both Nevermore and Helloween would appreciate, then this quintet is for you. www.cruzdelsurmusic.com
-Mike SOS

EVERGREY
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
INSIDE OUT MUSIC
So here we are with a live show recording. It starts with a baby crying and a deep devil voice, and then people cheering. Oh no. You can hear the cheers pick up as the band comes out and rips from "Intro" to the first actual song, "Blinded". Something isn't right here. Oh, these guys are Swedish longhairs - that explains it. Well, if you like this band or this dark-metal genre of music, then this disc will be certainly rub your belly. "Melodic metal" is a good way to describe these guys. Occasionally the synthesizers will run parallel to a vocal chorus that will pump up even the laziest of listener slobs and make them run laps around the house, as this disc is actually quite exciting, at times. I think I hate it when the band talks in between songs, though. I don't get it.
-Thomas Murray

EYES OF THE BETRAYER
RECOVERY
RECORSE
Kansas City, MO, natives Eyes of the Betrayer's five-track metalcore display borrows from the Swedish metal scene quite a bit, making RECOVERY a smidgen more brutal than many other albums. A well-placed death growl accentuates songs like "Icarus Demented" from being merely average, yet the same tired singing parts that reoccur in so many bands' arsenals rear their heads here, detracting the overall feel of the song. When these guys get low and fast, they seem unstoppable. While this five-track disc clocks in at about 30 minutes, there's not a lot of meandering going on, just a lot of impressive twists and heavy-handed turns that allow Eyes of the Betrayer to stand out from the metalcore pack. www.recorserecords.com
-Mike SOS

FAIRMONT
HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE
RENFIELD RECORDS
C'mon, guys, other people aren't so bad. You may sound almost precisely like a mix between Thursday, My Chemical Romance, and Cursive, but that gives you no right to bash other people. I mean, hey, that includes me! But really, this album is just about the least inspiring and ambitious record I've heard this year. I can truly say that not one note/chord/line of this album is original or different from what a majority of Eyeball Records bands are doing, as well as emocore superstars Thursday. Bottom line: wake me up when it's over.
-Zac

FIGURE OF MERIT
VATIC
CODE:BREAKER AND EARACHE RECORDS
"It's one of those days / When you don't want to wake up / Everyone sucks and everything is fucked up." Although I should be publicly executed for knowing Limp Bizkit lyrics, little Freddy Durst was on to something. Those few lines describe the pain, anguish, and rock-hard emotion in VATIC. I don't for one minute want to compare Figure of Merit with Limp Bizkit, but I genuinely enjoyed the Figure of Merit album. This album is so intense and dark, the heartache of betrayal, self-loathing, and disappointment just resonate in every poetic lyric and slow, deep, melodic riff. They may not be out on tour anytime soon for this album, but hardcore metal and Figure of Merit fans alike will want to wait to see what these guys have in store for a live show.
-Courtney Strain

FIRST TIME FLYING
INFATUATED
SELF-RELEASED
First Time Flying got their start in Wyoming, which is about as isolated from those coastal urban trend-makers as possible. They have that singing/screaming/pleading/jamming thing down, but they have not forgotten that smalltown sensibility, as their sound combines punk with an '80s hair-metal opening. This retro and modern combination is also evident in the vocals, which at first sound similar to Coheed and Cambria but also have the bombastic qualities of Co+Ca predecessors Rush. Somehow a six-song, self-released EP by a band with a Myspace-reliant Website warrants a barcode, but that just goes to show they are thinking big. They have the vox that made Geddy Lee's career and the sound that permeates MTV 2 now, and they do it well...but it takes more than a move to the big city to make it to the big time.
-Erika Owens

FREEDOM CALL
THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
SPV
German power-metal troupe Freedom Call drum up all of the standard rock clichÈs on THE CIRCLE OF LIFE, from mega-dramatic guitar solos to fist-pumping anthems like "Carry On" that'd sound best accompanying clips of international soccer highlights. With a likeness that combines Manowar, Gamma Ray, and Symphony X, this quintet takes its harmless, kitschy metal very seriously - and the musicianship behind songs like "Starlight" accentuate that. While the happy-go-lucky feel of this 12-track disc is a bit misplaced in 2005, if it's innocuous power metal you're looking for, these guys deliver the goods proper. www.spvusa.com
-Mike SOS

GRATITUDE
GRATITUDE
ATLANTIC
Featuring Jonah Matranga (Far) and Mark Weinberg (Crumb), the debut release from Gratitude is a glistening 12-track array of heartfelt hard rock with a surprising arena-rock swagger. From the opener "Drive Away" and its contagious chorus to the simple yet effective nature of tracks like "This Is the Part" and pop-punk gem "Another Division St.", this quintet offer the perfect luxurious alternative to U2 and Jimmy Eat World. With a discernible laid-back California feel (recording where the Beach Boys made PET SOUNDS probably accentuates that a tad) and oozing with the most straight-ahead rock sensibility of Matranga's illustrious career, this new-found direct approach allows Gratitude to explore a big rock sound - and embrace a dynamic niche in the process. If you dug Far, dig Incubus, or are a mark for hooky, big-sounding rock record, this eponymous disc delivers. www.atlanticrecords.com
-Mike SOS

GREYSCALE
DISCORD FOR THE DEAD KID
BATTLE BORN
Greyscale is a Reno, NV-based quintet transplanted from Long Island, NY, whose 10-track release presents an intriguing mixed bag of musical styles, with hard and heavy ultimately winning out. Despite the decibel level being tested, these guys are deeply rooted in the dub and drum and bass aspect of music, as most of DISCORD FOR THE DEAD KID's tracks display. Sounding at times like a cross between Dredg, Nonpoint, and Skindred, tracks like "Get At" and "Searching for Substance" reveal a clash between chugging guitars and groove-laden rhythms, while the dub-esque feel of "New Beat" showcases an adventurous side of the group. For a mix of chunk and funk swung with a 10-ton hammer, Greyscale's latest disc is as solid as it gets. www.battlebornrecords.com
-Mike SOS

GUAPO
BLACK ONI
IPECAC RECORDINGS
In a world where bands like Black Emperor and Mogwai rule the long, drawn-out instrumental masterpieces, Guapo are left outside the kingdom looking in. Creating a work of six movements that plays for nearly 45 minutes is a very ambitious thing to do. One either achieves such a scheme and basks in the glory of the new form of rock opera...or, in the case of Guapo, you fail and appear to be children playing in the sand. They lack the dynamics, the timing the explosions, cohesiveness, while the parts that succeed aren't surprising in their achievement. They lack jaw-dropping instrumentation - obviously a KEY to instrumentals! Overall, they just lack the magic. For more info, visit guapo.co.uk.
-Norberto Gomez, Jr.

HARD SKIN
SAME MEAT DIFFERENT GRAVY
TKO
When this project got started, English trio Hard Skin started out as a band parodying the Oi! scene, but they have gone past goofiness and made it to album #2. SAME MEAT DIFFERENT GRAVY takes the stomping two-chord trademarks of the scene and runs rampant through 13 tracks of good-time, hard-hitting, infectious tunes that are the perfect complement to a night of rowdy carousing and drinking way too much. In fact, the band's motto, "Stop thinking and start drinking," endorses that very movement. So, turn your brain off, turn the stereo up, and pogo around your room to tracks like the simple yet effective "Skin Hard" and the subtle fist-pumping anthem "Still Fighting Thatcher". www.tkorecords.com
-Mike SOS

HAVOCHATE
CYCLE OF PAIN
INDECENT MEDIA
Havochate have so much of that '80s rock, Satan-induced racket going on that they sound like something to the effect of Iron Maiden colliding with Slayer. The idea behind CYCLE OF PAIN is just that: pain, and all the good things we've come to love about its affiliations: oppression ("Fiction"), madness ("Cycle of Pain"), violence ("Still Alive"), and more. Nothing like a little optimism, huh?
-Darren Ratner

HIGHBINDER
ALL THE WAY TO HELL
SIN KLUB
Gritty, down and dirty rock 'n' roll comes to you courtesy of Highbinder, whose latest 13-track release is laden with the kind of hard-rock riffs that rattle your head and the brash attitude that so much of today's music is completely lacking. This Toledo, OH, quartet's keen ear for melody melded with metallic pretenses make for quite the exhilarating listen, as tracks such as the grab-your-jugular style of "White Lie" and the stoner-rock foundation of "Ward" are solid songs that rock fans across the board will dig. Sounding like a cross between SLAVE TO THE GRIND-era Skid Row meeting The Bronx at a Velvet Revolver gig, Highbinder wield the mighty rock sword well sans the glitz and chock full of chunk. Aggressive without sounding forced, glossed in all of the right places (such as the huge arena-rock choruses that adorn the disc), and injected with the rock venom both vocally and musically, ÖALL THE WAY TO HELL reaffirms the belief that good rock music is still being churned out underneath what the mainstream jams down your throat. www.sinklub.com
-Mike SOS

HOOVER'S G-STRING
ELEPHANT PARTS
RED TIDE RECORDS
Though the band has only been together for 10 years, the third full-length from this Virginia retro trio faithfully brings back the catchy melodies and musical fun of the early '80s. With a pop sound similar to 20/20 or The Knack and a vocalist (Jeff Reinholz) who has an incredible ability to mimic Springsteen, Hoover's G-String has put out a memorable album. There's some tongue-in-cheek humor here, as with a Bush tribute, "Go Back to Texas", the social put-down "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", and a Springsteen cover, "I'm On Fire", that any listener would swear really was the Boss until it launches into a sped-up version that sounds like Johnny Cash on crank. Hoover's G-String is a band that sounds like it's having fun in a local bar. This may not be a platinum album, but the fun is infectious.
-Dug

HUMAN TELEVISION
ALL SONGS WRITTEN BY:
GIGANTIC MUSIC
The debut seven-song mini-album from this Philadelphia-based quartet is a perfect pop gem. With jangly indie guitar riffs, pop hooks that send tingles up your spine, and a sound that hearkens back to early R.E.M., these guys have college-radio hit machine written all over them. The only drawback to this disc is the length. Though it is a hybrid CD with two videos on it, the vinyl version of the album includes a song that is only included as a video on the CD. While many critics compare this band to New Order or Modest Mouse, Human Television has created a more urgent, intense brand of pop that is sure to ingratiate the band to fans and separate it from the thousands of indie groups that flood the college-radio scene. Pick up this brilliant disc (or the vinyl version) and give it a listen before the inevitable sell-out begins.
-Dug

IDIOT PILOT
STRANGE WE SHOULD MEET HERE
REPRISE RECORDS
The story of Idiot Pilot plays off like a rock 'n' roll fantasy. Two teenagers from Washington bored with the music world in general decide to try to create an amalgam of all their likes: electronica, post-hardcore, and indie experimentation. The result is a perfect monster of everything good in these genres. Somehow cohesively constructing ambient, Radiohead-like walls of blips and falsetto vocals with At the Drive-In screeches and aggression, STRANGE WE SHOULD MEET HERE is an extremely mature work from two 18-year-olds. Major labels noticed, and overnight the two teens were signed to Reprise Records. Due to the album's eclectic inner workings, it is destined to be appreciated by a wide range of listeners.
-Norberto Gomez, Jr.

IMPELLITTERI
PEDAL TO THE METAL
SPV
Impellitteri features the fancy fretwork of Chris Impellitteri, a guitarist extraordinaire who, unlike other guitar heroes, releases a 10-track album that actually produces well-crafted songs instead of guitar showoffs. While tracks like "Propaganda Mind" rip off Disturbed blatantly and the tongue-in-cheek flavor of "Punk" (supposedly aimed at making fun at the rap-rock explosion) actually makes the band look a little bitter, there's still a lot of powerful numbers on this disc, such as the chunky "Hurricane" and the pounding "Crushing Daze". Alas, if you dig power metal, songs like the cascading "The Writing's on the Wall" hit a homerun. But there are still a slew of flashy six-string tricks on PEDAL TO THE METAL to excite the guitar freak. But Impellitteri goes the extra mile and makes sure to include some compelling hard rock tunes for all audiences, not just gearheads and axe fans. www.spvusa.com
-Mike SOS

INCANTATION
DECIMATE CHRISTENDOM
OLYMPIC
Merging deliberate dollops of doom with frenzied death metal, veteran troupe Incantation have numerous albums, countless tours, and legions of fans worldwide. The 11-track DECIMATE CHRISTENDOM conjures up yet another barrage of blasphemous brutality. Menacing riffs, pummeling percussion, and some of the most guttural growls heard in a long time can be heard on tracks like "Merciless Tyranny" and the uber-doomy "Oath of Armageddon". Some bands tend to mellow out after a few years - especially the heavier ilk - yet these troopers have gotten in touch with their inner decay and are still pumping out depraved death metal (like "Horns of Eradication" and "Thorns of Everlasting Persecution") with the vigor of younger bands half their age. If you hate organized religion and love the sounds of punishing death metal, Incantation's latest will not disappoint. www.olympicrecordings.com
-Mike SOS

INNAWAY
RISE
SOME RECORDS
The debut release on Some Records by this L.A. quintet is an EP that will be hard to remove from your stereo. With slow, trippy beats and celestial guitars, Innaway weaves a gossamer fabric that ingrains itself on your subconscious. I listened to this disc four times through before I realized that there are only three songs on it. The spacey music is often similar to The Mars Volta when The Mars Volta sticks closer to Earth. The band's live shows (usually in Silver Lake) have built up a rabid fan base that raves about the live gigs on the group's Website. There is also a video for the single "Rise" on this EP, but what we really need is the full-length disc from this inspiring outfit. Hopefully I won't have to repeat the EP too many more times, as the group has its full-length album scheduled for a summer release.
-Dug

JAMES LABRIE
ELEMENTS OF PERSUASION
INSIDE OUT MUSIC
For starters, some of the coolest cover art I have ever seen. Creepy, meaningful, slightly abstract, and artistic. Nice. I hope I feel the same about the music. Choppy and annoying at first, I was hoping that it would evolve into something that I'd enjoy - and that does happen at times throughout the album. I liked certain songs due to the choruses (for the same reason I like some of those unexplainable songs from the '80s). There are some very interesting and complicated things going on in this music, mostly (at least it sounds like) additional drum lines done by machines and synthesizers/mixers. Its very European in that aspect, but I wouldn't categorize and limit it to just that. This album is better than just another bunch of Europeans and machines, although the lyrics are slightly cheesy.
-Thomas Murray

JERRA
PLAY LIKE A GIRL
SUGAR HOOKER
Although this is blatant rocker-chick pop, there is something very pleasing about the way JERRA is able to make tightly-constructed pop ditties. Not only that, but she is able to put in unexpected changes during three-minute songs. There are a lot of playful guitar riffs, as well as more typical aggressive punk power chords. The best part, however, is the somewhat humorous lyrical content. For example, on "Game Boy", she sings, "I remember the first time / My eyes looked and my hands moved slow / I snuck to see him in the night / Atari 2600 / My sister had the moves she wouldn't show me / But Atari wanted one of her and wanted none of me." The potential here is driven by the humor and tight songwriting skills. For more info, visit jerra.com.
-Norberto Gomez, Jr.

KANDA
ALL THE GOOD MEETINGS ARE TAKEN
BOP TART
"You melt the arctic / Every time you dance." Aw, shucks, do you mean it? This is probably the cutest album released thus far in 2005. Kanda remind me of what Figurine would sound like if they didn't hold back on their songwriting to make room for pointless instrumental breaks. This is electro pop at its finest, folks. Sweet female vocals accompanied by fruity loops beats and that kind of computer-frosted sound that The Postal Service made popular. One of the tracks is titled "They'll Need Cocaine", but you won't need that to enjoy this one, I promise!
-Zac

KASABIAN
SELF-TITLED
RCA RECORDS
The debut full-length U.S. release of this English quartet's album comes off like a specter with a shotgun. The band mixes its vaguely prog-rock sound with a hard-edged rock ethic ‡ la early Korn and comes off with a strangely appealing new genre that often sounds a bit like '80s house music. Cover art on the album consists of a mysteriously masked face and lots of black. The sepia-toned band photos on the CD sleeve show four scruffy rockers who look like they might be the Dalton gang come back from the dead. These rogues will be touring the U.S. with Oasis in September, and if the brilliant music on this disc ends up sounding the same at a live gig, this band could easily steal the show. This is a great album. Find it and turn it way the hell up.
-Dug

KATY MAE
THREE-SONG SAMPLER
SELF-RELEASED
Busting out of Brooklyn with a alternative country twang, Katy Mae call their brand of no-frills rock 'n' roll jangle the sounds of New American Traditionalists, and the description is quite fitting. With nods to Wilco, Jayhawks, and The Who, this trio pull no punches and hit harder than they have to, sounding as if they drink and party twice as hard. If that's not a recipe for a down-home rockin' time, then what is? Combining a Texas two-step with a hard-rock crunch, Katy Mae is a band poised to bring the sounds of smalltown heartache to the big city. www.katymaemusic.com
-Mike SOS

KRYOBURN
ENIGMATIC EXISTENCE
CANDLELIGHT
Pummeling through your speakers, Kryoburn is a metal outfit hailing from New Mexico whose machine-like precision and enraged musical and vocal rants should garnish the group a good share of the Pantera and Fear Factory fan base. Combining atmospheric passages with vulgar displays of digital aggression, tracks like "Singularity" and "Against My Evil" follow the Burton C. Bell-meets-Devin Townsend blueprint to a T. While ENIGMATIC EXISTENCE ultimately searches for its own identity while playing out to be way over-effected and programmed, there's a plethora of hostility on this disc that can easily sidestep all of the collection's shortcomings and appeal to metalheads eager to let off some industrial-sized steam. "http://www.kryoburn.net" www.kryoburn.net
-Mike SOS

LIFE IN PICTURES
BY THE SIGN OF THE SPYGLASS
CLOCKWORK RECORDINGS/PLUTO RECORDS
This screamo band has a hard rock or even metal edge to its hardcore music. The band "plans to tour relentlessly" (says its press sheet). "Relentlessly" I have no doubt about, as that is the same approach the band takes to the songs on this album, raising questions on whether it is playing music or beating it into submission. The rhythms are early Metallica, the leads are hard rock, and the vocals are grindcore.
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

LIFEND
INNERSCARS
CRUZ DEL SUR
Lifend mix the beauty of Lacuna Coil with the brutality of Dimmu Borgir, creating a virtual metal melting pot on INNERSCARS, the outfit's debut. Descending from the Swedish metal contingent, this Italian quintet boast female vocals, thunderous death-metal riffs, powerful keyboard overlays, and even stretch the metal genre by implementing a curveball in the form of a saxophone. Experimenting within the extreme metal genre, Lifend's influences range everywhere from Opeth to Cradle of Filth, giving its brand of operatic death metal a broad scope that other bands can only be envious of. Nine tracks of pristine acoustics and programmed beats intertwined with bellicose death-metal bellowing, INNERSCARS is the amalgamation of all of your favorite European metal acts rolled into one.
-Mike SOS

LOSA
THE PERFECT MOMENT
METAL BLADE
Hailing from Texas, Losa is a mighty quintet whose unique approach to metalcore breathes new life into the saturated genre. THE PERFECT MOMENT is as caustic, spastic, frenetic, and powerful as anything currently ruling the market, as they tastefully extract pieces of Slipknot, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Candiria, Mastodon, Tool, and Cradle of Filth to comprise a hulking beast capable of immense damage. Crushingly heavy, tracks like the schizophrenic "The Witness's Account" and the sludgy death groove of "One Day, All Eyes Went Dim" entangle your ears in a web of moody, brooding carnage; while the creeping din made by "From the Ashes of Infancy" is a sinewy slobberknocker. One of the best things about THE PERFECT MOMENT is its non-stop barrage of music, as the tracks run into each other without a chance to catch your breath, making this disc sound organically relentless. Intriguing, enlightening, and distinctive, Losa's latest release is explosive and necessary listening to those who strive for adventure. www.metalblade.com
-Mike SOS

LOST CITY ANGELS
BROKEN WORD
STAY GOLD RECORDS/UNIVERSAL
This is one of the best new albums I've heard this year. BROKEN WORLD is Lost City Angels' sophomore release and is filled with hardcore/punk music with some underlying emotion and outrage. Don't you dare try to classify these Boston boys as an emo band - they don't even come close. These guys understand the true meaning of loss, as they sing for the memories of friends who have passed on during the making of this album. Here are a few tracks off of BROKEN WORLD I think you should check out: "Pretty War" for all you hardcore/punk fans, "Broken World" if you'd like one bitchen song stuck in your head for a week or two, and "Lips" if you're trying to get laid. The last is one beautiful song. I bet it even got a few band members some action. By the way, Lost City Angels, call me.
-Manda-Dex-Punk

LOVEDRUG
PRETEND YOU'RE ALIVE
THE MILITIA GROUP
The debut full-length release from Ohio-based indie quartet Lovedrug is a dramatic, life-altering experience. Well, maybe the CD won't cure cancer or feed the starving masses, but it does deliver one of the finest epic sounds of the new millennium. With desperately intense melodies driven by powerful drumming, ethereal guitars, and a perfectly injected piano, this band has hit upon a sound that will make you believe it is the great arena band that somehow slipped your notice. The band claims its music is a blend of "art and accessibility," which is a pretty accurate description of a prog band that rocks hard enough to draw comparisons with Queen. This is a terrific album from one of the best new groups around. Don't miss it.
-Dug

MAD HAMPSTER
SQUALOR TOWN
SELF-RELEASED
NYC trio Mad Hampster take their gas-huffing riffs of rage out of the smoky garage and on to the 10-track SQUALOR TOWN. With a sound comparable to Fireball Ministry meets Fu Manchu at a Burning Brides show, the slacker shuffle of "Shoe Box" or the syrupy stoner rock of "Top Erom Ekoms" (read it backwards) are only a few of the tasty selections on this band's menu, which bounces with relative ease from minimalist garage rock to crossover SoCal punk to full-on rawk. So go ahead, get a load on and get your rocks off with Mad Hampster. www.madhampsterland.com
-Mike SOS

MAN IN GRAY/UNSACRED HEARTS
SPLIT 7"
SERIOUS BUSINESS
Is Brooklyn burning? Well, after a close listen of two of the borough's stalwart acts, where there's smoke, there's bound to be fire - and both Man in Gray and Unsacred Hearts bring their own unique kindling their split-CD release. Up first, the jagged, female-fronted Man in Gray's two tracks evoke Blondie and Yeah Yeah Yeahs while throwing the rawk afterburner on full throttle. Next come the subversively clever Unsacred Hearts, whose stream-of-consciousness vocal delivery fits perfectly with the atomic musical backdrop, making for a listen as captivating as reading Hemingway for the first time. Despite the hoopla over Brooklyn and its music scene, these two bands are bands you'll actually respect yourself in the morning for liking. This split is a great pick-up for the indie-rock mogul in you. www.seriousbusinessrecords.com
-Mike SOS

MANDA AND THE MARBLES
ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES
ADDISON
Despite my inclination towards more technically and lyrically challenging material, I couldn't help but tap my foot to ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES whilst trying to suppress the urge to dance. This is high-energy power pop, the punk-rock grime polished away by lilting keyboards and Manda Marbles's sweet but forceful voice, with the spirit and vigor of fun, Ramones-style punk in full force. As a part of the resurgence of new wave, Manda and the Marbles tread dangerous ground, resurrecting the sound and kitsch of the '80s - but only the parts we want or need to remember, fundamentals: simple but compelling songs that demand some sort of movement that resembles dancing from the listener. ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES is by no means a work of art, but I doubt that's what Manda and the Marbles set out to accomplish. Instead, they've made a simple but enthusiastic foray into pop music, reminding us, perhaps a little too robustly, that sometimes music ought to be just about having fun.
-Matt Wallace

MARDUK
PLAGUE ANGEL
CANDLELIGHT
War-mongering Swedish troupe Marduk return with PLAGUE ANGEL, an 11-track display of this veteran outfit of black metal's wares. Blindingly fast drums pervade tracks like "Perish in Flames", while the slower, crushing "Holy Blood, Holy Grail" elicits a foreboding feeling much like the works of Dimmu Borgir or Cradle of Filth. Sonically challenging, epically written, and bitterly heavy, Marduk may have only one original member left in the fold, but the group's savage tenacity and innate ability to capture aural apocalypse catapults them head and shoulders above any number of their peers. PLAGUE ANGEL will not disappoint any fan who craves extreme metal. www.candlelightrecording.co.uk
-Mike SOS

MERKABAH
MERKABAH
SELF-RELEASED
Merkabah is an outfit from Queens whose three-track release is a bit under-produced but does show some signs of potential. The hybrid mix of metal displayed by this quartet showcases a young band trying to establish an identity of its own while paying homage to its influences. Dollops of old-school metal, emotive hard rock, and the sounds of West Coast metal you'd see at the Warped Tour get placed into a blender, and guitar-driven, dramatically-written music comes out. With the right amount of seasoning and experience, Merkabah could become a force to watch out for. www.merkabahny.com
-Mike SOS

MESMER MACHINE
STEREO SYSTEM TEST RECORD
MADROAD/CATHOUSE
The obviously U2-influenced moods and vocals with atmospheric melodic guitars mixed with a bit of psychedelic droning epitomize this record. Like many bands, Mesmer Machine are simply attempting to rehash the successful formulas of the past. However, their influences are almost TOO obvious - so obvious, in fact, that while listening one must ask, "Why don't I just hear U2 instead and get this over with?" The guitar work is boring and overdone, the vocals are clearly Bono rip-offs, and the tracks lack any moments of glory. After a few listens, it isn't a surprise that no songs remain in your head. If that isn't a sign of a disappointing album, I don't know what is.
-Norberto Gomez, Jr.

METAL CHURCH
THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD
SPV RECORDINGS
These guys lurked onto the metal scene in the '80s and have yet to realize that 20 years have past. Still rocking leather jackets and long, untamed, '80s-like hair, the new - that's right: new - Metal Church album, THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD, is a dismal attempt to hold on to their treasured memories of the '80s metal lifestyle. Think of a softer, less creative, dumbed-down version of any old-school Iron Maiden album, and that's basically the NEW Metal Church. "Adversity is a challenge / It's not something you ignore / And you're life is a struggleÖJust rid yourself of torment / And hit the road." Need I say more? Guitar riffs I've heard in every garage-based, amateur, metal band; and guitar solos that would make any power metal fan yawn at. I would rate this album up there with the William Hung Christmas album. It's amusing, but that's about it.
-Courtney Strain

MILTON AND THE DEVILS PARTY
WHAT IS ALL THIS SWEET WORK WORTH?
SELF RELEASED
Fronted by two English professors from Widener University in Philadelphia, Milton and the Devils Party (the name purloined from a line by William Blake (hence the AWOL apostrophe)) write careful, intelligent lyrics and combine them with classic (rock and literature) influences and sensibilities. Don't dismiss the band, however, because of their academic pedigree. A background in the canon of English literature might help you catch all the allusions to Milton, Poe, Blake, and others, but this is by no means necessary. Similarly, familiarity with their musical influences (The Clash, The Kinks, Elvis Costello) is recommended but not necessary. Both promising and erudite, WHAT IS ALL THIS SWEET WORK WORTH demands more attention than the average pop album to be fully appreciated
-Matt Wallace

MOTIONLESS
MOTIONLESS
SELF RELEASED
This is a surprisingly well-recorded record, considering that the band is without a record label. Then again, with members from As I Lay Dying, Falling Aspirations, Convicted, Whatever it Takes and Blackletter Days, you realize that these boys might know a thing or two about how to get an album done. What makes this act special among pop-punk bands is that this band doesn't contain one songwriter, but four. Each member of this group contributes and makes it something bigger and better than it would have been without them. If you're into bouncy pop-punk, you'll love it! Otherwise, this album probably isn't for you.
-Manda-Dex-Punk

MUNKEY JUICE
MUSIC FROM THE MOTION PICTURE: "MOSCOW"
CHOOSE TO LOSE RECORDS
Munkey Juice is an independent outfit (they are Choose to Lose Records) that has been doing it on their own now for 10 years. MOSCOW is the band's seventh album. Lead by the Heise brothers, Munkey Juice reminds me of The Flaming Lips without all the production and strained voices, cool songs played well with neat instruments placed where needed and great pop ideas. The music is rock, raw, and ultra hip. MOSCOW is a double-disc, 24 songs and not one bad one in the bunch. All the Munkey Juice music, including MOSCOW, is available at www.munkeyjuice.net. Munkey Juice are American rock 'n' roll heroes. The lesson is that it can be done from your bedroom. Munkey Juice, I love you, and I love MOSCOW. I can not stop listening. Munkey Juice rule.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

MUTANT PRESS
SLAVE TO FASHION
500 POUND WEASEL RECORDS
Angry, rugged hard-rock guitar and simple, direct drum rhythms are the background for Jerome T. Youngman's songs. The numbers come in variety of styles: depressed ("Black Hole Calling"), defiantly individualist ("Slave to Fashion"), and just plain zany ("Pants on Fire"). A cover of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" is thrown in for good measure. Pick this up, because Jerome needs that to cheer him up and you will be triple cool in the eyes of your friends. www.geocities.com/mutantpress2002
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

NEVER ENOUGH
DEAD SET ON DESTRUCTION
ORGANIZED CRIME
Chronicling this Baltimore outfit's two years in the world of hardcore, this 27-track collection neatly places all of Never Enough's recorded works with some live tracks and six new songs for kids to lose their minds to. Solid, chugging riffs with a NYHC backbone and a raspy vocal that accentuates the music, DEAD SET ON DESTRUCTION displays a band who can attack at will and do so with intelligible, thought-provoking lyrics. Not your run-of-the-mill hardcore band, Never Enough take pages from the books of bands like Sick of It All, Poison Idea, and other old-schoolers and give the youth of today a vibrant and volatile lesson in hardcore. www.organizedcrimerecords.com
-Mike SOS

NEW BRUTALISM
2001-2003
LUJO RECORDS
"What the fuck is this crap?" was the first thing that popped into my mind when I put this CD into my CD player and gave it a go. I decided that perhaps I was being unfair and did a little bit of research on the band, and what I found was rather surprising. This band made their own instruments. Pretty cool, huh? Guess what they made them out of: aluminum. I guess these guys really like to recycle. With this knowledge, I gave the album another go. Although the concept behind all the songs is cool, the album itself is not. Sometimes they almost sound as if they are trying to copy Rage Against the Machine but fall very short, since it seems as if the guitar player can only play three to five chords and a few odd notes during each song. Maybe his aluminum guitar was malfunctioning.
-Manda-Dex-Punk

NOVEMBERKILLS
RUSSIAN ROULETTE
HOTFOOT RECORDS
If you were curious about what youth in Iraq are listening to, apparently it is Novemberkills. New York is an international city, but apparently Long Island also has a growing reputation around the world from Iraq to Japan and Germany (is that Axis connection just coincidence?). Novemberkills play run-of-the-mill hardcore-lite with particularly biting lyrics (e.g., "Why am I always wrong?"). Choirboy voices are the only distinguishing feature in this earnest but formulaic venture into "speed it up, slow it down, scream a little, smile, sneer, and snooze" territory. Maybe war-ravaged nations need to go from childish whining to tough-guy growling in the space of a few songs to express all of their uncertainty. But what angst a Long Island kid could share with an Iraqi under attack remains a mystery.
-Erika Owens

OCTAVIA SPERATI
WINTER ENCLOSURE
CANDLELIGHT
Octavia Sperati is an all-female Norwegian goth-rock troupe whose 11-track disc displays mid-tempo melancholic metal that merges the wares of Lacuna Coil with Evanescence with a discernibly heavier edge, thanks to the biting guitars on tracks like "Below Zero". Even though an air of luxurious melodies via keyboards, pianos, and angelic lead vocals are apparent throughout WINTER ENCLOSURE, the band lapses into Paradise Lost-meets-My Dying Bride territory on tracks like "Icebound" and "Wasted on the Living", sinking their collective teeth into a realm heavier than that which most female bands dare to bite. If you enjoy the work of bands like The Gathering, Nightwish, etc., then Octavia Sperati is a disc worth checking out. www.candlelightrecords.co.uk
-Mike SOS

ONEWORDSOLUTION
A TASTE OF REVOLUTION
ONEWORDSOLUTION
This five-song EP is just a taste of the thought revolution Onewordsolution wants to instigate. Battling conformity and apathy with a message and music, Onewordsolution offers songs with lyrics you can believe in and mull over. www.Onewordsolution.com
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

ONEWORDSOLUTION
PORTRAIT OF A DECREPIT NATION
ONEWORDSOLUTION
This 2002 release from the band is more varied and visceral than current new release, A TASTE OF REVOLUTION. It seems that back in '02 the band members could still taste revolution in their mouths, and that made them scream and yell with gusto. This album has sound bites ("3n2") and can even be goofy ("Threat?"). It all makes it fun and focused on meaning and music. If this is not a political hardcore classic, it should be. www.Onewordsolution.com
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

ONEWORDSOLUTION
WALLSWITHOUTWINDOWS
DEDICATED WRECKERS
For the most part, WALLSWITHOUTWINDOWS is full of scorching fast punk with motor-mouth vocals that (rightfully) critique American society, politics, and policy (akin to bands like Czolgosz and Molotov Cocktail, for instance). Yet, there are instances on this 16-song album where OneWordSolution stray from the norm - musically, at least - as on the opening "introduction," which is basically just some guitars with militaristic drumming; the ska-soaked "Wasteland"; and the rather quirky "Nausea". Anyway, this is just my opinion, but it seems that this band is more about the politics, the music being more of a vehicle to get OneWordSolution's progressive leanings across. The valid points made in their lyrics are accompanied by various sound bites strewn throughout the record that help to convey their ideas. (The band's Website, www.onewordsolution.com, offers helpful news and information on current events, opinion essays, and more.)
-Janelle Jones

OTOSCOPE
PURE SPECULATION
SELF-RELEASED
This unsigned band should talk to the people responsible for Hall and Oates. Otoscope manages to master the easy-listening sound by tastefully including gospel and keyboards, making standout, radio-friendly tracks like "Don't Go Away" and "I Saw You" perfect for anyone whose idea of an enjoyable afternoon is sitting by the bay in San Diego sipping on white wine and eating pate. A good diamond in the rough for a band that just needs a little TLC.
-Aimee Curran

OUTSMARTING SIMON
STAND UP STRAIGHT
TRIPLE CROWN RECORDS
Out Smarting Simon's sophomore release exemplifies their musical tastes and ability. This album is more reserved in many respects than their debut release, SILENT, SOBER AND SOUND, and the production values have moved beyond living-room recordings (though there's something special about albums recorded in living rooms). OSS's sound has progressed from post-emo-angst to an all-encompassing straight-ahead indie sound. With skillfully-placed time changes and subtle transitions dominating the composition, the release smoothly shifts styles while retaining cohesiveness. Out Smarting Simon has polished off the grit and grime, refined their sound, and released an exquisite album.
-Kevin Farr

PAK
MOTEL
RA SOUNDS
MOTEL is an absolutely amazing disc. The music is Mothers-era Zappa free jazz that makes you say "goddamn." Pak is a three-piece led by guitarist/vocalist/piano player Ron Anderson. He is a total bad-ass. His vocals are animal scat and hysteric rambling madness. MOTEL is serious music. All eight songs are consistent and to the rim with substance. These songs are loaded. Pak couldn't get one more time change or brilliant passage into these songs. Highly recommended for the insane, the weird, and the adventurous. Some of my favorite titles are "The Higher the Elevation the Lesser the Vegetation", "100% Human Hair", and "Jam Jet Treatment". If you think that today's bands are boring, I dare you to buy MOTEL. Pak has made a classic disc. Get MOTEL and let your freak flag fly.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

PARSON
REVOLUTIONARY MIND SCIENCE
CALL TO ARMS RECORDS
The title of this CD does not fit the music at all. Parson claim they are looking for global domination, but as far as I'm concerned, they have a long way to go. The poorly-recorded CD has weak vocals covered by music that sounds muffled and distorted. The melodies don't do much but make you feel as though you are in a bad 1980s B-movie or possibly listening to a wannabe power-ballad hair band. If they want to really be revolutionary, Parson should try more than plucking on the electric guitar and by writing lyrics more thought-provoking than "We'll drink ourselves into oblivion."
-Aimee Curran

PEACE CORP & GEORGE FRYER COMBINATION
MEOW
SALIH RECORDS
"After playing 1,000 shows / Peace corps finally broke up" is what we're greeted with at the beginning of MEOW, the fabulous joint effort of Peace Corp and The George Fryer Combination. This album is screaming with the sounds of '90s indie-rock geniuses like Pavement and Beulah. But with the addition of added percussion and assorted Latin influences, the listener is treated with a familiar sound presented in an unfamiliar way. It's exciting...but only for the first five or six songs. The album slowly gets bogged down with redundancy and does not retain the charm of the opening few tracks. Fans of Blur, Beulah, and Elf Power might enjoy this album.
-Zac

PICASTRO
METAL CARES
POLYVINYL RECORDS CO
Throughout METAL CARES are dark, minimal musings certain of creating a somber mood with every listen. The constant cello prolongs the sadness throughout, while guitar picking helps include moments of positivity and hope in the endless pain of life; and the clunky, somewhat dead piano is agonizing in its own mortality. The beautifully depressing vocals of Liz Hysen are at the forefront of this intensely personal, emotional ride. Though nearly whispering at times, the grief is all the more powerful due to its PERFECT delivery. For more info, please visit polyvinylrecords.com. And remember, kids, knowing is half the battle!
-Norberto Gomez, Jr.

POLYSICS
POLYSICS OR DIE!!!!
TOFU RECORDS
Genius! Genius! Genius! I thought Japan had exhausted its musical outlet with amazing release from Cornelius, Ghosts, and Melt Banana, but apparently there is still much more to offer. Polysics combine the spirituality of Devo with some of the danciest and most innovative song arrangements that I've heard in quite a while. Imagine a techno circus filled with battling electric guitars and one extremely coked-up drummer. Once you're in the circus, put on a bear suit and juggle some chainsaws. Then you'll begin to get a bit closer to the insanity that is this band. Fans of Blood Brothers, Beep Beep, Melt Banana, and Ex-models will go to hell and back for this one. Don't miss out on the techno circus!
-Zac

PURE SWEET HELL
THE VOYUERS OF UTTER DESTRUCTION AS BEAUTY
CRASH
Ambient and ambitious, Pure Sweet Hell is a three-man project devised by Van Williams, drummer of Seattle's Nevermore, as a more artistic and experimental metal endeavor than his day job. On this 13-track release, there seems to be a lot of abstract ideas floating around without much resolution, making THE VOYEURS OF UTTER DESTRUCTION AS BEAUTY sound a bit half-baked. While many of the riffs (such as the monster runs in "Hangfire" and the slow crunch of "The Killers") are crisp and commanding, the compositions throughout tend to meander and lack definitive closure. Perhaps that is what the band intended, but from a listener's standpoint Pure Sweet Hell's latest release, despite its superfluous creativity and the adventurous spirit, employs the feel of doing a jigsaw puzzle with a few pieces missing. www.crashmusicinc.com
-Mike SOS

RAGING SPEEDHORN
HOW THE GREAT HAVE FALLEN
SPV
Heroes for some time in England, Raging Speedhorn's latest vitriolic assault on your eardrums is now (thankfully) available in America. The brutal crew's latest seething soundtrack, HOW THE GREAT HAVE FALLEN, has been unleashed and is primed to kick your ass seven ways to Sunday. The 10-track display of devastation pounded out by these purveyors of punishment meld grinding death metal, hostile hardcore, and slabs of stoner-rock goodness to create their uniquely and utterly relentless sound. Using a two-man growl and backed by an explosive band whose mission is to destroy all in its path, songs like the crushing "Dead Man Walking" sounds like Superjoint Ritual banging heads with Hatebreed, while the sinister groove of "Fuck You Pay Me" slams your skull against the concrete without remorse. If you're looking for a heavy band that incorporates Sabbath, Slipknot, and beatdown hardcore in its blend of merciless metal, rejoice, as your band has arrived. www.spvusa.com
-Mike SOS

REEL BIG FISH
WE'RE NOT HAPPY 'TIL YOU'RE NOT HAPPY
MOJO JIVE RECORDS
The fifth full-length release from these third-wave ska veterans is a depreciating and slightly poignant album that brings the band's humor into line with some hard-earned lessons about the music business. Frontman Aarron Barrett describes it well: "I think the theme is, 'Fuck this shit. Fuck you, fuck the music business. I quit.'" While the sextet bounces and rocks its way through ironic tunes like, "Don't Start a Band", "We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful", and "One Hit Wonderful", it's easy to see how RBF has sold over a million albums. Though their signature ska sound is getting a bit tired, there isn't a band that merges the driving guitar rock and horns better. Unfortunately, the market for ska has been shrinking, but this is one of RBF's best albums.
-Dug

RIFU
DEAD END STREET
GO-KART
RIFU, a Norwegian hardcore punk band unafraid to showcase political slants and sociological rants via their crunchy, imminent music, liberally borrows from bands like Poison Idea, Refused, Black Flag, and any band that ever gave the world the finger. Fanning the flames of revolution with potent powder-keg numbers (like the bass-driven crush of "Destroy the Machines" and the empowering staccato rhythm of "Moral Masturbation"), RIFU bear the distinction of being a unit that can arouse both your savage side in the pit and your intellectual side by dropping some anti-establishment knowledge. If you're in tune with bands like Amen, System of a Down, Kill Your Idols, and other like-minded outfits, chances are DEAD END STREET will appeal to you and your anarchistic side. www.gokartrecords.com
-Mike SOS

RIKEN
RIKEN
SELF-RELEASED
What to say about Riken that won't get my ass kicked by my buddy at school who handed me this CD? The singer can sing very well for the style he chooses (which happens to be that oh-so-popular nasal pop-punk way of singing), and the band has a lot of potential to be the next Incubus. But there are two things Riken really need to do before they release another album: find another studio, and learn that verses and choruses are labeled differently because they are SUPPOSED to be different. If you can't figure out how to do this on your own, I'm sure there are many songwriting classes you can take at the college both our common friend and I attend. And if you happen to pass me in the halls, don't be angry: this is me being my nicest.
-Manda-Dex-Punk

RUN AWAY FROM THE HUMANS
WE EXIST
EXPEDITION ZERO ONE ONE
Upon reading up on Run Away from the Humans (RAFTH), the first thing that stuck out was songwriter Jason McBride's DJing background. This techno background made me a little apprehensive about listening to some club beat mix CD, but this EP was a pleasant surprise. The real wonder of RAFTH is the collaboration of McBride, guitarist Marc Chartier, and drummer Brian Roman. Whether it be techno, indie rock, or acoustic rock, they all bring their own abilities and affinities to the table to create a moving amalgamation. WE EXIST begins with a soothing but upbeat sound that is bolstered by nostalgic lyrics. As the CD progresses, it becomes more somber, till it closes with a techy computer voice chanting, "we exist." RAFTH are able to combine the best elements of often disparate genres into a really enchanting and kinetic mix.
-Erika Owens

SEER
SEER
SELF-RELEASED
Pristine and refined, Seer is a Long Island rock outfit whose four-song endeavor is heavily influenced by Brit rock such as Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Muse, and Ash. With a shimmering lead vocal in front of the textured amplification, Seer shift between sinewy rhythms and sonic symphonic passages with grace and ease, (especially on "Watching the Sidewalks"). Creating an elaborate aura via well-manipulated guitar sounds and rounding it out by hypnotic bass and drums, Seer's output merges elegance and agony in a way that is both engaging and enlightening. www.seerband.com
-Mike SOS

SELF AGAINST CITY
TAKE IT HOW YOU WANT IT
RUSHMORE RECORDS
The first band to sign with new label Rushmore Records is a melodic rock quintet from Sacramento with a sound heavily influenced by bands like Oasis and Jimmy Eat World. This six-song EP is packed with sing-along choruses, catchy hooks, and a bright, explosive sound that instantly makes you think you've heard this band before. Jon Temkins's urgent lead vocals are backed nicely by soft, echoing responses from guitarist Jeff La Tour. Their vocals work together much like those from Linkin Park but on a much more controlled and melodic level. The band's clean instrumental sound is a breath of fresh air in these days of distortion and overkill. Self Against City is a very talented band that needs to follow up with its full-length disc as soon as possible.
-Dug

SHIRAGIRL
NOT RELEASED IN STORES
SELF-RELEASED
Yes! I love this album. Electro-rock is the next big thing. Who can say differently, with bands like The Transplants out there hitting it big? The two girls who make up Shiragirl make some killer fucking music - and NOT RELEASED IN STORES is proof. Although this band can easily be classified as electro-punk, the music is also filled with elements of rap (hey, don't hate); and on one of the tracks there happens to be a special guest. What guest? Well, pick up their album NOT RELEASED IN STORES this year at Warped Tour and listen to it and figure out whom the guest is yourself! I'm not going to tell you everything, but I will give you a tip on where you can pick up this album: check out the Girl Stage at Warped Tour, also known as the Shiragirl stage. "Shiragirl could not get any hotter" is damn right. Don't fucking forget it!
-Manda-Dex-Punk

SHORTIE
WITHOUT A PROMISE
EARACHE RECORDS
Proclaiming themselves as the "bridge between heavy metal and pop," these northern California natives are pushing and shoving their way to national recognition. Opening for acts such as Papa Roach, Adema, and Soulfly, the popularity of Shortie is surely to skyrocket to an astronomical level, and soon. WITHOUT A PROMISE is catchy but not annoying, hard-rocking but innovative. Heartfelt and serious, this album should be included in every rocker's collection. For fans of Papa Roach, Adema, Trust Company, and like bands, WITHOUT A PROMISE should fit nicely. Although bands can be cocky and incorrect, these Sacramento rockers were dead on., with their heavy-metal riffs and catchy pop lyrics. Definitely a band to look out for in the future.
-Courtney Strain

SHOWBREAD
NO SIR, NIHILISM IS NOT PRACTICAL
TOOTH AND NAIL
Songwriting can be tough. Lyricists get criticized for dumbing concepts down and using clichÈs, but they also have to be careful not to put off their audience by talking above them. They are vocally more praisey than most other mainstream punk artists, but the surprises do not end there. A quick look at the song titles alone reveals allusions to Sylvia Plath, Kafka, and Judas. "Your eulogy is like poetry" is an apt comparison to their songs, which have typical blood/gore/death motifs but are sung in a rigid, poetic meter. From the liberal-arts ideals to the band being clad in a uniform of black and red, the fact that The Blood Brothers have a Christian counterpart is actually the least surprising aspect of Showbread.
-Erika Owens

SIGNS OF COLLAPSE
WEEP FOR THE LIVES YOUR WISHES NEVER LED
SAW HER GHOST RECORDS
Metalcore straight out of the Motor City that will make your skin crawl - but in a way that you'll masochistically like. The song titles alone are enough to make me love this album: "And You Thought This Last Bullet Was for Me", "Electronic Music Is for Drug Addicts and Hippies", "Don't Smile While You Play Because It's Really Pissing Me Off" (the last being my favorite title and song). The lyrics are incredible, growled so that you pay attention. There are also heart-pounding guitars and insane drums, the kind that you would expect to hear at the gates of hell. Definitely metalcore at its finest.
-Courtney Strain

SIRENIA
AN ELIXIR FOR EXISTENCE
NAPALM
Hot on the heels of bands like Nightwish and Lacuna Coil, Sirenia's AN ELIXIR FOR EXISTENCE take the female-fronted gothic metal approach. Complete with symphonic choruses, growling male utterances, angelic female throatwork, and the kind of keyboard overlays and rhythmic chugging you'd find only in this genre of metal, Sirenia's nine-track dish isn't breaking any new ground, but it does provide an ample alternative to the aforementioned outfits. If you dig lush arrangements with a goth-metal flare, this disc will suit you just fine. www.napalmrecords.com
-Mike SOS

SLOW MOTION APOCALYPSE
MY OWN PRIVATE ARMAGEDDON
TRIBUNAL RECORDS
Black metal is back, and it's going to kick your ass! And the perpetrator? Slow Motion's newest album. Dark, heavy, intense lyrics and even more intense instrumentation gives this album a never-ending appeal. The creative guitar solos almost remind me of something from an action or a zombie movie. Good stuff. This quintet of Italian metalheads are definitely on top of their game. This album is creative, innovative, and interesting, something you want to listen to over and over. There is so much going on in every song that it would take many run-throughs to fully hear everything. In an age when the majority of people's attention spans are so short, this album is a relief to boring, monotonous albums of the past. Something to enjoy and rock out to.
-Courtney Strain

SO MANY DYNAMOS
WHEN I EXPLODE
SKROCKI RECORDS
This is an explosive pop album filled with intricate, explosive drumming (‡ la Dismemberment Plan), where you swear it's a drum machine; a fat, pulse-driving synth acting as bass, and great stop/start guitar riffs. Altogether, it feels like you're in one giant factory. Like Dismemberment Plan, the vocals of So Many Dynamos are somewhat immature, not much different from the whiny pop-punkers and emo geeks of today. But the vocals aren't a big deal when there is fantastic music backing it up. In the end, it all works together in a very nice way. There are many possible hits on this CD, especially the somewhat hip-hop "We Panic in a Pew". For more info, visit somanydynamos.org.
-Norberto Gomez, Jr.

SOCIETY 1
THE CREATION OF SOUND
EARACHE
The beauty of Earache Records's name is that they largely release albums which most people in the world would deem the cause of an actual earache - even though most metalheads find them extremely entertaining. I suppose the case is the same with the newest from Society 1. This album is the cause of an actual earache for some, I'm sure, but for me it's an extreme ride through the realm of heavy metal. THE CREATION OF SOUND is a large collection of grind metal with nu-metal influences that I'm sure many are happy were part of the creation. The tracks follow along with crunchy riffing and insane vocals courtesy of Dirt, Preston, Sin, and Matt "the Lord" Zane (I didn't know the Lord was back on Earth already!). "Now let me live / So I can kill" screams Zane in "Let Me Live". Please don't kill me!
-Zac

SPACEHORSE
S/T
GRAVITY
As GBH sagaciously states: "It's a race against time." San Diego's Spacehorse adhere to that mantra, as they spout out nine blistering hard-core punk tracks in a manic 14-and-a-half minutes. The music is fast (duh) and frantic, with an inescapable sense of immediacy. Also adding to this feel is the frenzied, almost paranoid vocals. Some songs (like opener "China's Burning") recall the greatness of T.S.O.L. (and I say this not because they use the term "superficial love" on the record); and on the phenomenal finale, "Hang Your Child", they conjure thoughts of the sorely-missed Reagan Squad with their undeniable vigor and (of course) that inherent urgency and tension (but this totally has better production quality!). I hate mentioning this, but in this instance it seems unavoidable, because the bands these guys have played in before (Heroin, Clikatat Ikatowi, Camera Obscura) will certainly have some people's mouths watering.
-Janelle Jones

SUIT OF LIGHTS
SELF-TITLED
VISITING HOURS RECORDS
Very eclectic indie rock album from our friends at Visiting Hours Records. With plenty of acoustic guitar, mid-tempo drums, and keyboard tracks, Suit of Lights has created a very easy-to-listen-to rock record. My only real complaint is that the vocals seem very monotonous by the end of the album. The singer doesn't really have a huge range to play with. The album is worth a listen or two if you're into generic indie rock.
-ADF

SUNDAYRUNNERS
SUNDAYRUNNERS
MACHINE RECORDS
With the coastal motif in lyrics like "After all the birds have left the beach / You have to swim alone" coupled with a safe, engaging indie-pop sound, it's little wonder that the song "Memories Left at Sea" from SundayRunners' self-titled album appeared on an episode of Fox's vapid but wildly popular show THE OC. Subtle flourishes and satisfying hooks abound, and minute details set SundayRunners apart (however slightly) from their less-creative colleagues in the vast but shallow ocean of modern independent music (especially on standout tracks like "Half my Height", which evokes The Pixies without sounding derivative). Their influences may be largely contemporary and on first listen they may sound indistinguishable from other bands whored by THE OC, but if you have the time, SundayRunners are worth more than a passive listen.
-Matt Wallace

TARANTULA HAWK
TARANTULA HAWK
LIFE IS ABUSE RECORDS
Why? This is my initial reaction, for many reasons, to Tarantula Hawk's self-titled debut album. First, this is their debut album, released in 1999, and they have since recorded and released a sophomore album and are in the process of writing their third. Secondly, I am perplexed because it sounds like the Halloween soundtrack my mother plays when she hands out candy to trick-or-treaters every year. Having said that, I can't say this album is all that bad. There are some interesting parts...but it's all instrumental. My idea of why instrumental music still exists today is to shake the booty, and Tarantula Hawk is not booty-shaking music. A more accurate description would be elevator music at the Addams' manor. If you're into goth instrumental, it's the perfect album; if you're not, this is not an album I would recommend.
-Courtney Strain

THE ACADEMY IS
ALMOST HERE
FUELED BY RAMEN
The debut full-length release from this Chicago-based quintet is a hard-rocking bit of melodic ear candy that brings to mind music such as My Chemical Romance and Taking Back Sunday. While Fueled by Ramen might have one of the most talented and longest lists of artists in the country, the label does pay attention to its newest bands and does a good job of hooking the bands up with label tours. A case in point would be the recent tour linking The Academy Is with talented veterans Fall Out Boy, Midtown, Silverstein, and Gym Class Heroes. This Illinois quintet has the looks, the sound, and the energy to become one of the premier and ubiquitous "teen" bands like Rx Bandits that pack all-ages show across the country. With a label like FBR paving the way, it won't be long until these guys are headliners.
-Dug

THE ANCIENT ENEMY
THE ANCIENT ENEMY
SELF-RELEASED
Long Island's industrial-strength metal troupe The Ancient Enemy play the kind of depraved music that fans of Slipknot and Ministry can enjoy, as the band's blood-curdling vocal screams and heavy-handed guitar riffs are fueled with samples and sound clips, accentuating the overall ominous effect that this two-track sampler creates. Chances are that if you shop at Hot Topic, have multiple piercings, and are a purveyor of punishing metal, The Ancient Enemy is right up your alley. "http://www.theancientenemy.net" www.theancientenemy.net
-Mike SOS

THE AUBURN SYSTEM
S/T
FIVE POINT
Oh yeah. Conjuring pleasant thoughts of the masters of seamlessly melding death metal, hardcore, and grind, Morse Code Heartbeat and Premonitions of War, The Auburn System are impressive on this five-song, self-titled EP, to say the least. With a plethora of unexpected and welcome time changes (ranging from excessive speed to a wee bit sludgy), top-notch low and deep, growled vocals, heavy and inventive riffs, stellar drum work (check out "Old Man on the Mountain" for a nice little taste), and massive and pummeling bass, truly, there's not much to nit-pick here. Play this motherfucker loud(and often.
-Janelle Jones

THE BASEBALL FURIES
LET IT BE
BIG NECK RECORDS
Odie, Styles, Hollywood, and Dapper - a.k.a. The Baseball Furies (who got their name from the cult gang flick THE WARRIORS) - is doing a killer balls and guts version of New York Dolls-style garage rock. Not that The Baseball Furies is a rip-off act; they are not. This Buffalo, NY, group transplanted to Chicago has produced a cool, dirty, rocking sophomore disc. Some of the highlight tunes are "So Amped Up" (a tribute to the wild side), "Operational" (which contains some smoking axe work by Styles), and "No Way to Win" (a furious rocker). LET IT BE isn't a perfect disc. There are some passages where Odie is wailing like a drunk on a 4 a.m. shit fit - but that's the attitude of The Baseball Furies: fucked up and ready to go.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

THE DAN BAND
THE DAN BAND LIVE
SIDEONEDUMMY RECORDS
The Dan Band Live is a hilarious mix of classic tunes spun into a wonderful and entertaining compilation. In some cases, bands taking a comedic angle on covering top 40 hits can be annoying; however, The Dan Band manages to cover hits such as En Vogue signature "Free Your Mind" and Christina Aguilera breakout "Genie in a Bottle" in an endearing and enthralling manner with snappy vocals and upbeat tempos that can't help but put a smile on your face. They make it safe to openly like pop favorites that you would normally only listen to with headphones on.
-Aimee Curran

THE FORECAST
LATE NIGHT CONVERSATION
VICTORY RECORDS
Straight-ahead indie rock with a country swagger in their step, The Forecast stroll to a honest beat. Lyrically simplistic and straight-forward, The Forecast is an amalgamation of previous styles. With no variance or originality, it's just an okay album. There's nothing epic or exceptional about the release. Granted, there's nothing fraudulent or disdainful, either. LATE NIGHT CONVERSATION may be just like a late-night conversation, in that you may get nothing out it, or you may awake the following morning in a contemplative daze from the night before.
-Kevin Farr

THE GRAVES BROTHERS DELUXE
LIGHT
GOOD FORKS RECORDS
From the opening guitar and drums of "About the Future", I knew I was in for a treat. Stoo Odom and the rest of The Graves Brothers Deluxe offer up some quirky and catchy punk-infused rock music. While LIGHT is mostly quirky rock with a dark tone (both thematically and musically), the band isn't afraid to change things up with the use of a saxophone. If you're looking for a consistent record, then you may be disappointed with this album, because each song sounds a bit different. But instead of this making it seem like the band has no sense of direction, the songs on LIGHT all feel like they belong together. If quirkiness is your passion, give LIGHT a listen. This album is both very atmospheric and rocking.
-Dane Jackson

THE GENERATORS
EXCESS BETRAYAL...AND OUR DEARLY DEPARTED
FIEND MUSIC
So many times you read reviews that say "Wow, this is a great disc." Well, that's just not enough for The Generators' EXCESS BETRAYAL...AND OUR DEARLY DEPARTED. This disc was originally released in Germany in 2003. It has been remastered with five bonus tracks and a video. But the main thing is the music. Los Angeles's The Generators is a well-rehearsed, outstanding band, and these songs are blueprints for American punk songwriting. "Seasoned" is the word that describes the entire project. I recommend this disc to everyone. EXCESS BETRAYAL...AND OUR DEARLY DEPARTED is a modern masterpiece that is based in punk rock but is more just a reflection of emotion and real life than a genre. That being said, wow, this is a great disc.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

THE GREAT REDNECK HOPE
BEHOLD THE FUCK THUNDER
THINKER THOUGHT RECORDS
If this is what fucking is supposed to sound like, it's probably a painful experience. BEHOLD THE FUCK THUNDER by whacko rock act The Great Redneck Hope is a lesson in calamitous, frightening instrumentals and eternal screaming. Oh, and some overblown song titles - "Call Me Old-fashioned, but I Think Trains Are Kick-Ass", "Are You There, God? Please Help Me Stop Masturbating", etc. See what I mean? Crazy song titles are alright. The album itself is just so hard to listen to that only the truly adventurous could survive the whole thing.
-Darren Ratner

THE INTERNATIONAL PLAYBOYS
SEXIFUL
MOTRON RECORDS
The International Playboys attempt to capture the sound of those rock bands from yesteryear, and they will be proud to know that I think they succeeded with familiar tunes that make you feel as if you were listening to this band sometime in the '70s. I myself am not the biggest fan of classic rock or of bands that try to emulate it. After all, it's been done before (hence its being called "classic" rock). But if you're a fan of that, you can't go wrong with SEXIFUL.
-Manda-Dex-Punk

THE JOHN FRANCIS & IMPOSTERS
THE EARNEST MANBOY SUITE IN E MAJOR
SELF-RELEASED
What a waste of 15 minutes and some change. This EP by San Francisco's The John Francis & Imposters is filled with uninspired eccentric garage rock. While mostly filled with noise, at times the EP sounds like Beck. It's filled with fuzzy guitar melodies, poorly-recorded drums, and variable vocal pitches. If you like garage rock, then you'll probably enjoy this EP, but I just found it grating and annoying. On top of that, there are 12 or so unnecessary tracks of typewriter noise.
-Dane Jackson

THE LONESOME DRAGSTRIPPERS
PROMODIFIED
PART RECORDS
The Lonesome Dragstrippers is a three-piece psychobilly outfit straight outta Germany. It's the typical psychobilly formula: slappin' bass + metal-rockabilly guitar and straight-ahead vocals. The group has a very similar sound to that of its European neighbor Mad Sin. All together, this is a very short recording (six songs), but the length might actually help keep the listener from being drowned in a sea of monotony, since all of the songs follow the same formula. Check 'em out if you're into Mad Sin.
-ADF

THE MEREDITHS
A CLOSED UNIVERSE EP
DEBAUCHERY RECORDS
Though the band is named for guitarist and singer Joe Meredith, the best tracks on this five-song EP feature vocal harmony and counterpoint with keyboard player Jonathan York, when the vocal texture matches the lush instrumentation. On only one song does the band stray from this choral paradigm. Sweet but not saccharine, this is a collection of well-crafted, catchy pop songs that don't overstay their welcome and achieve a sense of closure - something difficult to do with an EP. These five songs left me satisfied but wanting more. Luckily, with all five members still in their early 20s, we can expect even greater things from a band that can successfully balance melody, instrumentation, and tempo without sounding imitative or overwrought.
-Matt Wallace

THE MICHAEL DAVID PROJECT
THE MICHAEL DAVID PROJECT
ROUGE RECORDS
The Michael David Project is a Detroit outfit that is making adult-contemporary music that rings of singer/songwriter/acoustic guitar and organ groups of the '70s. The music is thoughtful and full of sweet textures and musicianship. There is no big bang, but that's not the point. Michael David has a nice voice, and he is an excellent songwriter. This debut disc is a reflective, gentle effort that wants to partner up with you on a slow moving day. There is not a weak tune on board. My pick for single is the 10CC-meets-early Grateful Dead opener "Apology". The more you listen, the more you sway along to the inspired songs on The Michael David Project's infectious disc.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

THE NEW YORK REL-X
SOLD OUT OF LOVE
TKO RECORDS
Rhythmic, vibrantly dark, and melodic, this punk-rock quartet's sound is a culmination of grimy punk and bouncy four-chord progressions. Fronted by a female vocalist, The New York Rel-X are your basic punk-rock band. Three- and four-chord riffs with driving solos strewn about, they are not great, just good. The hooks are catchy, but the lyrical content seems to diverge from the music. Too many songs about relationships hinder the obvious musicianship on the album. The album's titled SOLD OUT OF LOVE, and they don't vary from this theme (though it's refreshing to hear a woman profess her disgust for a significant other instead of another shitty male-dominated punk band scream about heartbreak).
-Kevin Farr

THE NIGHTCRAWLERS
ANGEL ALLEY
THE NIGHTCRAWLERS
This band offers a two-guitar punk-rock assault with an emphasis on "rock" and leaning toward old-school punk. Independently released and featuring real independent attitude, this album (produced by Kerry Martinez of U.S. Bombs) may not kick it hard enough to make you fall in love with punk rock all over again, but it is one of the better new punk releases that I have heard. www.thenightcrawlers.net
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte

THE RED DEATH
EXTERNAL FRAMES OF REFERENCE
METAL BLADE
The Red Death is an upstate New York-based outfit whose 10-track debut blends the guttural growls of death metal with the soaring riffs of Swedish metal, creating yet another band in the metalcore genre. This quintet's vocal attack comes sans any clean singing (a big plus) and sounds more raw than its peers' releases, making tracks like "Aftertaste of the Emaciated" and "Silent Machines" strike harder than usual. Otherwise, The Red Death's slash-and-burn delivery, churning rhythms, staccato guitars, and impassioned screams aren't anywhere near innovative but do a cohesive and competent job in pleasing your inner headbanger. www.metalblade.com
-Mike SOS

THE RETURN
DANGER DANGER SILENT STRANGER
MISSING WORDS RECORDS
The fifth full-length album from DDSS (and the band's second on Missing Words Records) is a mature mix of punk, reggae, and old-school rock for this West Coast trio. Though the band has been together for some time, its sound really seems to find its footing with producer Wayne Embree's (Rx Bandits) work. The sparse instrumentation calls up comparisons with early Police. There may not be a "Roxanne"-level hit on this disc, but these guys do write some great tunes. Now is a good time to pick up the band's music form its Website before it gets nabbed by a major level and has to start charging 18 bucks an album.
-Dug

THE VALLEY ARENA
TAKE COMFORT IN STRANGERS
ASTRO MAGNETICS
There are moments when the CD I am reviewing feels so meaningless and lacking of anything interesting that I am actually at a loss for words. I guess this band sounds like most of the edgier pop/rock out there right now (e.g., The Used), with their power drumming and their knifey guitar riffs. The vocalist actually sings in this band, but it's nothing worth mentioning. That was hard enough. For more info, visit their record label or something. These guys blow.
-Norberto Gomez, Jr.

THE VAN ERMANS
UNDER THE GUN
BROKEN SPOKE RECORDS
The western Michigan music scene has been lying dormant lately. With all the focus on bands in and around Detroit, it's pretty easy to forget about other parts of the state. But with UNDER THE GUN, western Michigan will be back on the map. Mixed, mastered, and engineered by Royce Nunley, UNDER THE GUN is filled with 13 melodic power-pop gems. While it's mainly power-pop filled with melody and catchy vocals, some songs even show hints of punk and a particular upstroke used for ska music. If you want to hear a very solid record, then seek out UNDER THE GUN, especially if you like music with melody and heart. Standouts include "Hey Underpants", "Double You", and "Thunder Years".
-Dane Jackson

THIS PROVIDENCE
OUR WORLD'S DIVORCE
ROCKETSTAR RECORDINGS
The sophomore full-length release from this quartet of clean-cut Seattle boys is an appealing piece of emo rock for those who enjoy snippets of the Bible interspersed in their rock 'n' roll. While first and foremost a Christian band, the guys are talented musicians and make the kind of music the daring devout will latch on to. The band is clearly not a "worship band" or one of those wimpy, limp-wristed bands signed to Dove Recording but a legitimate group of rockers who could be brought home to anyone's mother. Though the band does have one of the most hideously malfunctioning Websites around, way too many video game clips, and a penchant for pink and robots, they pump out some good music. Unfortunately, the band does fall into the formula where every song could be about a girlfriend relationship or (more likely) a relationship with God. It just makes for wimpy lyrics.
-Dug

THRICE
IF WE COULD ONLY SEE US NOW
ISLAND RECORDS
I can't remember the last time I got a CD with a parental-advisory sticker on it. But then again, I've never received a 100-page band biography, either. Clearly, Thrice has gotten a lot of press, which they do deserve. They tour relentlessly, release regularly, and even do benefit shows for groups like the SSE. With all of that media attention, they have converted a number of fans, and this CD/DVD release is a gift for them. The CD includes nine tracks of live recordings, covers, and B-sides. "Send Me an Angel" is a prime track for any longing mix tape, but most of the other features are for fans only. The DVD includes a ton of interview footage, a few videos, and some live performances, but all of that programming is premised on the fact that the viewer actually cares how or why Thrice began.
-Erika Owens

TODAY'S TOMORROW
TODAY'S TOMORROW
SELF-RELEASED
Recorded with producer Barrett Jones (Foo Fighters, Bush, Nirvana, etc.), TODAY'S TOMORROW sounds like throwaway Collective Soul with some emo yuck spilt on it. Today's Tomorrow (I hate that name) has elements that really rock. Sometimes the guitar work makes my big toe shoot up in my boot, but for the most part this disc is a big "so what," nice songs that could be a million other bands. Today's Tomorrow needs to try to find their own voice.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

TRIESTEARCANA
IV
OSIRIS
There are a million different ways to separate one band from another. One way is: some bands want to make music that would be a cool disc in a cool disc collection, and some want to sound like the cool records in a cool collection. Triestearcana is all about their collection. In other words, there are lots of cool ideas on IV, but this group didn't have any of them. This Ohio two-man (plus friends) tribute-ist outfit is a combination of 1970s classic rock and 1990s Seattle rock. Lead singer Shervin Mashashfi is full of emotion and attitude, but it all sounds local in that it's just so unoriginal. And Triestearcana is my vote for worst name for a band in the history of bad rock names. IV is a waste of plastic. Common and amateurish.
-H. Barry Zimmerman

TWINEMEN
SIDESHOW
SELF-RELEASED
This album is interesting, to say the least, with very well done female/male vocals and some very interesting woodwind parts behind them. And what's this? Do I sense political undertones in the song "I Slept Through It" (sample lyrics: "It's not my flag")? I love political music. If I had to classify this band, I'd say they were something like a hip jam band. I must admit that when I first saw this album, I thought to myself, "What the fuck am I in for?" Then, when I opened up the fold-over CD case, I thought, "What? Is this going to be smooth jazz? Why is there a saxophone?" But I was wrong. This isn't smooth jazz (not that smooth jazz is badÖreally), but this album is a lot better than I thought it would be. If you don't think you'd be interested in something like this, you're WRONG!
-Manda-Dex-Punk

VARIOUS ARTISTS
80 RECORDS AND WE'RE NOT BROKE (YET)
LEVEL PLANE RECORDS
This two-disc album was released to show off what Level Plane Records has been doing since its inception. The first disc contains songs previously released by the label by such artists as A Day in Black and White, The One AM Radio, Hot Cross, Get Fucked, etc. This first disc is a great overview of the label's catalog. Although you might not like every song on the first disc (I didn't), you might just discover a band or two that's worth checking out. The second disc contains previously-unreleased material by 14 bands - City of Caterpillar, Gods & Queens, Nixon, etc.. It's a great little treat if you find yourself loving Level Plane bands. I mean, where else would you get unreleased tracks (besides the Internet)?
-Manda-Dex-Punk

VARIOUS ARTISTS
A LITTLE BIT ME, A LITTLE BIT NEIL
DELIRIUM RECORDS
An indie tribute to Neil Diamond? I've never been a huge fan of tribute albums. They're mostly a large amount of bands making cover songs that sound about half as good as the original every time. This case is no different, as Desperation Squad's rendition of "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show" is mostly a watered-down rendition of the original, and The Eddies' stab at "Sweet Caroline" just sounds like as if every part of the original song (including the drums and guitars) had smoked too many cigarettes in an attempt to sound "edgier." This is not to say the bands featured on this compilation are bad, as most have a great array of their own original material. Four Eyes and Silver Needle are two great bands; but when it comes to Neil, the job is just no good! If you hate Neil Diamond, you might want to hear these trashy versions of these songs as a cathartic release for your feelings. Other than that, send this one to the bargain bin!
-Zac

VARIOUS ARTISTS
HOW'S MY DRIVING?? VOLUME 2
SUPER SPEEDWAY MUSIC
What a hot little album I hold in my hands right now. HOW'S MY DRIVING?? VOLUME 2 is full of songs I'd be more than happy to play while driving (although I doubt that the bands on this album are the best drivers). In their song "Sex, Drugs & Alcohol", The Cliftons sing about wanting get laid and get paid; while The Resistoleros' "Heroin" is about wanting heroin. Honestly, people, how well can YOU drive while getting laid and wanting or being high on heroin? Probably not very well. Although I don't recommend carpooling with any of these bands, I do recommend you picking up the album and giving it a listen.
-Manda-Dex-Punk

VARIOUS ARTISTS
SUMMER SAMPLER 2004
ACTION HEIGHTS RECORDS
Action Heights may be sending this a tad late, given that it's a 2004 sampler. Still, there's some good punk rock/emo to be had on the compilation. The Phoenix Rising put on a good, catchy show with tracks like "Mid-July" and "Awakening". The Response also come at you with poppish-punk and solid guitar drives. It's much of the same with other bands like Between Home and Serenity and Faultlines. There's enough here for a pretty decent jolt.
-Darren Ratner

VARIOUS ARTISTS
THE LIFE AND THE GAME
ROCK OUT RECORDS
Rock Out Records teams up with acts on labels like Fearless and Asian Man to put out their third compilation. There's a nice little mix of music from pop-punk, indie, hardcore, and experimental. And the bands aren't just limited to North America: there are also European bands on here that you may not know of. When it comes to compilations, THE LIFE AND THE GAME isn't great, but it also isn't horrible. There's a nice mix of established acts represented (like Mike Park and Dynamite Boy) among the predominantly lesser-known bands that grace the comp. While this isn't a comp I would listen to regularly, I've been able to learn of some new bands to search out because of it, including Another Day Wasted and Acitone.
-Dane Jackson

VARIOUS ARTISTS
THE POWER OF MUSIC
UNDERGROUND OPERATIONS
While I generally like compilations, I love them when I know the proceeds go to a good cause. With THE POWER OF MUSIC, 40 of Canada's top artists band together to help fight poverty in Canada. While I wasn't really aware that Canada had this many quality bands, there are plenty of big names on this comp, including Moneen, Choke, Planet Smashers, The Weakerthans, and Bedouin Soundclash. For those of us not as familiar with the Canadian scene, this compilation also serves as a showcase. Fight poverty and learn about some great bands. What more could you ask for?
-Dane Jackson

VCR
SELF-TITLED
SIDE ONE DUMMY RECORDS
This starts off like the typical electro-clash we're all familiar with: fast drum and bass and melodic keys with new wave atmospheres...that is, until the Black Flag-like vocals come in and add a very pissed-off flavor. The nice clash creates a very ideal electro-clash. However, this is just a six-song collection where there aren't many surprises or surprising moments. Like all movements, the electro-clashers might need to stop while their on top - before everyone and their mama are doing it. For more info, visit sideonedummy.com
-Norberto Gomez, Jr.

VICIOUS ARTFIRE
FALLS AND THE WAITING WATERS
CANDLELIGHT
Vicious Art is quite the appropriate name for this Swedish metal troupe boasting former members of Dark Funeral and Entombed, as this punishing 10-track release stomps with the fervor you'd find from Cannibal Corpse and Hypocrisy. Blast-beated madness is the most prominent weapon used here, as the mighty double-bass pedal is used ad nauseam. The guitars are crisp and fleeting, and the vocals are the perfect union of growl and scream - and when doubled on tracks like "A Whistler and His Gun", sound like Hell has risen to Earth. Vicious Art isn't the most unique band on the map, but this quintet packs an undeniable wallop that can floor you. www.candlelightrecords.co.uk
-Mike SOS

WE ARE LIONS
EIGHT ARMS MADE THIS
AT ONE RECORDS
We Are Lions is the product of the emo pop-punk that exploded last summer. Unfortunately, I think they're a little too late to make a difference, because they just sound stale and generic. The dual vocals don't add to the music at all, instead making them muddled and confusing to hear. Also, the band have the arrangements all wrong. For the kind of music they're trying to write, the tempos are way too slow. If the musical arrangements were tightened up throughout and the songs with dual vocals were worked on a bit, this could be an enjoyable CD; instead, it's just more of the same - but not quite as good.
-Dane Jackson

WETNURSE
WETNURSE
SELF-RELEASED
Opening a dastardly metal album with sleigh bells is either an inside joke or a warped mind at work. Chances are that on Wet Nurse's frenetic eight-track selection that its both. This metallic juggernaut's acerbic agility and vitriolic versatility shines through on such tracks as "N.Y.C." and "Rhetorical Question", borrowing from everything from Candiria to Bloodlet to Will Haven to Poison the Well to Fantomas while remaining unique. A high-pitched vocal howl over twisting, churning guitars and a robust rhythm section poised to change signatures on a dime is what you'll enjoy again and again from this eclectic troupe that merges sludge, stoner, noise, ambient, and disjointed slabs of intriguing metal into a cohesive package that needs to be heard repeatedly for maximum impact. www.wetnurse.net
-Mike SOS

WOW OWLS!
PICK YOUR PARTNERS
THE PERPETUAL MOTION MACHINECity of Caterpillar has had a large amount of influence over the noise-rock and post-punk bands of my generation. Wow Owls! have this influence, as well, but the trick is that they don't let it show. With the kind of energy that reminds me of five ADHD children drinking Red Bulls in a sea full of candy, PICK YOUR PARTNERS is more than just your average hardcore album. Even fans of mewithoutyou and Grade will find the entertainment value of this record to be stellar, with its ridiculously thick guitars and sporadic drumming. myspace.com
-Zac

ZATOKREV
ZATOKREV
CODE:BREAKER RECORDS
This three-piece death-metal band from Switzerland is on the path to metal greatness. Frederyk Rotter, Marco Germentieri, and Silvio Spadino came together to form Zatokrev in April of 2002 and was hitting stages all across Western Europe by February 2003. They have played with established veterans of metal mayhem such as Chimaira, Slayer, Nile, and Spineshank. Playing gigs played with these metal greats before their first album was ever recorded goes to show that these three guys have something that is set to blow up. Hard, head-banging guitars and deep, lyrics gushing with raw emotion. If metal is your game, than Zatokrev should be your pain - for pleasure, that is.
-Courtney Strain

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