A YEAR TO FORGET
APOSTASY
CREEP RECORDS
Although I'm usually not
a fan of the pop-punk vocals/hard guitar hybrid, A Year to Forget is definitely
an exception to the rule. Hailing from Pennsylvania, the trio opens each
song with a melodic hook - and then suddenly you're listening to raw emotion.
Their first "real" album, APOSTASY, is sweet and sour at the
same time - the perfect combo.
-Chelsea Hassler
A.PICTUREBOOK.OF.SAINTS
SELF-TITLED
THE NEW BEAT RECORDS
St. Louis native Brad Jokerst
takes us on a roller-coaster ride of emotions with his lyric writing and
vocal capabilities. His band has put out a very tightly-written, well-produced
emo-rock album in the vein of Cave-In, Moneen, etc. I haven't heard a vocalist
with this much talent in quite some time. If you're a fan of modern emo-rock
(such as that on Vagrant Records), then do yourself a favor and check out
this new release on New Beat Records. Website
-ADF
ABE RUTHLESS
NO NOTHIN' BLUES
FORMULA 13 RECORDS
Abe Ruthless, lead singer
of Tempe, Arizona-based quartet The Slash City Daggers, recorded this four-song
EP on his own, playing most of the instruments. Like The Daggers music,
which was very much influenced by The New York Dolls, the songs here are
blues numbers, although definitely with more of an acoustic, country blues
feel. Ruthless has a wonderful hoarse, tuneful blues voice, along the lines
of David Johansen or Mick Jagger. On the down side, the four songs lack
the energy that I found so appealing on The Daggers' two discs. This is
a freshman effort; hopefully Ruthless will continue to sing the blues,
but with a little more drive and energy.
-Tekolote
AGITATORS
MEETING THE LADS
STREET ANTHEM RECORDS
This Belgium-based streetpunk
band follows along in the tradition of bands like The Business and Oxymoron.
Fast-paced punk fun with a flair for the criminal element. Aggressive with
a loose edge ensures that this band will deliver the goods in its barroom
banter-style that will keep the listener both drinking and thinking. Although
the lyrical content is all typical streetpunk themes (drinking, football,
fighting, politics), the humor keeps them refreshing. "Saturday Night" is
a gem of rocker that spins the tale of a self-proclaimed party loser whose
goal is to keep the party going to the end while laughing at the mindless
high-brow suits who think they have the life. In the end, he flies from
his own personal rooftop to his demise - but I believe he goes out with a
smile on his face. I would seek this puppy out. This is destined to join
the ranks of punk classics.
-Larry Lugz
AN ALBATROSS
WE ARE THE LAZER VIKING
ACE FU RECORDS
This Philadelphia sextet
has been making noise since 1999. The 11 songs on the disc, the group's
second release, are all extremely short and very reminiscent of The Locust ‰ö?screaming
vocals, extremely fast beats, and lots of synthesizer and keyboards. Song
titles are humorous, and I'm assuming that the lyrics are as well (although
it's hard to tell from listening) in the same goofy way that The Locust's
songs are. According to the press release, the band puts on a wild live
show, so if you like this type of music, you might want to catch the group
on tour. Not really my thing, but if you like The Locust, you'll probably
like An Albatross.
-Tekolote
ALEXISONFIRE
S/T
EQUAL VISION
The phenomenal new, self-titled
album from Canada's Alexisonfire is a perfect combination of emo and hardcore.
The vocals (which are reminiscent of Thursday) are perfectly placed between
heart-wrenching lyrics and melodic (and, at times, seriously hardcore)
stylings. ".44 Caliber Love Letter" is one of the best tracks
on the album, as well as one of the most original hardcore songs I've heard
in a while. I can safely say that Alexisonfire is one up-and-coming band
that is NOT to be overlooked.
-Chelsea Hassler
ALLERGIC TO WHORES
LIFE THROUGH DEATH'S EYES
RODENT POPSICLE RECORDS
I have been singing the praises
about this Ohio-area band for a couple of years now, and my praises don't
stop here. What more can I say about a band that sings about personal tragedy
and still manages to inspire, a band that aggressively spins tales of imminent
destruction but leaves one with feelings of hope in an era of despair?
This is brutal in attack, yet lyrically poetic in an off-kilter way. I
love aggressive music that isn't rehashed metal riffs but manages to embrace
punk and hardcore's original intention of enlightenment through massive
decibel levels. The music may leave you deaf, but the content makes it
all clear again. Another strong release by a band that plays by its own
rules.
-Larry Lugz
ANDROID LUST
THE DIVIDING
PROJEKT
As much as I would love to
praise this band for giving their best at doing something different, I
simply cannot. Midway through the album, I really wanted to lie down, take
a nap, and say "Wake me up when it's over." Normally I enjoy
a good female vocalist, but it seems that frontwoman Shikhee is out to
displease people with her vocal work, which can best be described as annoying.
The use of keyboards and other electronic noises on the album just becomes
redundant, adding up to a meaningless voyage through the void of THE DIVIDING.
An industrial disaster.
-SupZac
ANTIFREEZE
THE SEARCH FOR SOMETHING
MORE
KUNG FU RECORDS
Antifreeze of Appleton, WI,
is doing that soft-in-the-pants, radio-friendly "punk" that is
like reoccurring bad news. THE SEARCH FOR SOMETHING MORE is void of any
original ideas or balls. And the sad fact of the matter is that Antifreeze's
lack of original ideas or balls in conjunction with the band's association
with The Ataris will probably send them directly to the ugly bubble-gum
utopia of massive success. Stop the madness: quit buying this brand of
drivel.
-H. Barry Zimmerman
ARCARNUM
TIME TO FLY
PMA RECORDS
Listening to this album made
me feel like I was watching a movie about overcoming adversity or prejudice.
The songs are extremely atmospheric and ridden with optimism. Lead vocalist
and songwriter David Adams has a voice that reminds me almost exactly of
Eagle Eye Cherry. Most of the songs are poppy and inspirational, with little
distortion and only light percussion, focusing mostly on the vocal work
and lyrics. To be perfectly clear, TIME TO FLY reminds me of praise music
played by an independent Christian artist!and it's good. Positive sounds
and theatrical qualities.
-SupZac
ARGONAUT
SHOOT THE MOON
INFECT
Argonaut's stoner-rock sentiments
shine through on the outfit's 10-track, sludgy sojourn SHOOT THE MOON.
This Washington-based quartet utilizes all of the tools of the trade to
produce a fuzzed out, rhythmically driving ode to '60s psychedelics, '70s
hard rock, and slowed-down Ozzy-era Sabbath in one foul swoop. 10 tracks,
47 minutes, and one long-ass jam. Bang for your buck? You bet your ass.
Website
-Mike SOS
ARTEX
DRAW THE LINE
SELF-RELEASED
For those who don't already
know, Artex was Atreyu's ill-fated horse in THE NEVERENDING STORY - so here's yet another post-hardcore band plunders that movie for a name. But whereas Atreyu can throw down with the best of them,
Artex play annoying-as-fuck hardcore lite that pisses and moans about lost
girlfriends and existential angst. As if that weren't enough, they're burdened
with overwrought Tool fixations that result in every song being three minutes
longer than it needs to be. They should take their own advice and DRAW
THE LINE on being yet another anima-less post-hardcore band.
-Jason Jett
BEN GRIM
RETRO
BOSS TUNEAGE
RETRO is a compilation of
all the recorded output of Ben Grim, so if you've already purchased all
of their previous records, then consider yourself screwed over, because
now it's all available on one disc, including eight bonus four-track demos.
Ben Grim is from Wisconsin and plays really catchy pop-punk. In fact, it's
so catchy that you can't listen to it too often without getting annoyed
by it. If you like moody, sad lyrics set to energetic, happy music, well,
here you go!
-chad
BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE
DEEP BLUE SEA
NORTH AND SOUTH OF NOTHING
ACTION DRIVER
Between the Devil and the
Deep Blue Sea is far from any ordinary band. Somewhat like a Fin Fang Foom
album, the quartet's newest release plays like one long song...or play:
the composers consider it to be a six-act tragedy. Either way, BTDATDBS
is just what today's scene is lacking: an emotional/melodic approach to
life that lasts more than three minutes. I recommend this album to anyone
willing to try out a band from Ohio that never ceases to impress its listeners.
Buy it!
-Chelsea Hassler
BIG COLLAPSE
PROTOTYPE
THE MILITIA GROUP
Take three New York City
transplants, add a local drummer, some power-packed rock tunes, and a street-wise
attitude, and you've got L.A.'s newest rock 'n' roll sensation. Though
the band claims it has been compared to early Def Leppard, the 10 songs
on this debut album sound quite a bit like Foo Fighters and way closer
to indie-rock. Tight melodies, great vocals, and a catchy, infectious vibe
make this a great rock album. The band will be touring the West Coast in
support of the new disc this fall. Now might be the only good time to catch
this band in a small venue before it is pushed onto the big stage and relegated
to the ubiquitous Weenie Roasts and Warped Tours of the world. Website
-DUG
BILLY TALENT
BILLY TALENT
ATLANTIC RECORDS
This album is very polished - and
being released by Atlantic, it sure as hell better be. The only thing lacking
is creativity. The songs tend to run together, guitar work tends to sound
similar, and song rhythms never really change. There are some interesting
harmonies, but that's as far as it goes. Ironically, as it turns out Billy
Talent is somewhat mediocre. One song that I thought showed some potential
is "River Below", combining all of Billy Talent's good qualities.
The singer is striving to sound like the dude from The White Stripes -
and succeeds in sounding just as annoying...but these guys are much better
than The White Stripes. Take that for what it's worth.
-AC Lerok of Philadelphia
BLOOD JUNKIES
MALADIES
EVIL ONE MUSIC
Blood Junkies began as a
side project for several members of Damnation ‰ö?bassist Al G, drummer Robert
Shawn, and vocalist Shaun Kama. With the addition of Nick Gerow on lead
guitar, Omar Cabral on keyboards, and Leo Cabral on percussion (not to
mention Kama taking the rhythm guitar spot, in addition to vocals), the
band occasionally opened for Damnation. A combination of positive audience
response and the desire to branch out musically resulted in MALADIES. The
17-song disc is really good, with tight, rocking melodies that take a walk
on the psychobilly side. I've always loved Kama's rich baritone, and my
favorite thing about Blood Junkies is that you can really appreciate it
much more than when he fronts Damnation. As always, Kama's lyrics are worth
paying attention to, being thoughtful and evocative. I'd recommend this
to anyone who likes psychobilly, Damnation, or just wants to hear something
very good that's a little outside current genre lines.
-Tekolote
BOBBY BIRDMAN
HEART CAVES
STATES RIGHTS
So, there isn't much info
to be found about Bobby Birdman, who is actually Rob Kieswetter. From what
I COULD find, this is his first release. This six-song EP is a true work
of art. With some similarity to the pop ambiance of Erlend Oye, the album
creates a relaxed, contented feel in its listener. Relying a great deal
on electronic and synthetic sound, the EP is still able to maintain an
organic touch, probably mostly due to his warm and soothing vocals. This
EP is great, but obviously it's not for everybody. If you think this sounds
interesting or right up your alley, definitely pick it up. Website
-tChow
BROKEN HEROES/THE WEEKEND
WARRIORS
BEER GUTS AND DRUNK SLUTS
STREET ANTHEM RECORDS
Pennsylvania streetpunk (The
Weekend Warriors) teams up with New Jersey Oi! punks (Broken Heroes) to
create the ultimate American punk party. You get 12 blistering tracks of
pure and relentless punk-rock barnstorming. Both bands capture the spirit
of the genre, the intensity of American rock 'n' roll, and the audacity
of professional beer-drinking. I was asked to pick the better of the two,
but I can't do that. Though they are similar in style, they each have their
own niche and sound. I just consider this a party sampler of two great
bands that play music on their own terms. Let's get this party started
quickly. A feast for the inebriated.
-Larry Lugz
BUTZ
NYC
HOME STYLE COOKING
NYC totally caught me off
guard. Butz truly have developed a unique idea for music and for themselves.
I guess they could best be summed up as the lounge-dwelling lovechild of
Bonham and John Coltrane. Basically, they're what a circa-1940 lounge band
would sound like if influenced by today's music, in that they combine technological
rhythms with jazz time signatures and melodies. NYC made me want to snap
my fingers and head to the nearest club in search of a fine lady friend.
Fans of psychedelic jazz must pick this record up.
-SupZac
CAPTURE THE FLAG
START FROM SCRATCH
GO-KART RECORDS
I'm hearing elements of Pegboy
here, with a touch of ALL and a smidgen of Dag Nasty...and come to think
of it, a little Hot Water Music thrown in for texture. If this sounds at
all appealing, that's because it crosses over the genre with reckless abandon
to churn out some of the most original music in a long while. Gruff, melodic
vocals overlapping eclectic and energizing guitar work surrounding a tight-knit
rhythm section. Not a bad song in the lot, and maybe some of the coolest
lyrics I've heard in awhile ("I've got the information in my head
/ I read it off your iris / And with conviction" (from "Eye to
Eye")). Cutting edge with a somber, moody touch makes this inspiring
and progressive.
-Larry Lugz
CHEAP SEX
LAUNCH OFF TO WAR!
PUNKCORE RECORDS
Taking cues from bands like
The Virus (singer Mike Virus was actually the original singer of The Virus)
and The Casualties, Cheap Sex blasts its version of politically-fueled,
chunka-chunka gutter punk. It's fast and furious, as well as angry and
charged. Yeah, its all been done dozens of times before, but this thrash
rocker of a gem is chock full of piss and vinegar. It's all in your face
and very finger-pointing, evident in the songs like "Dick Cheney", "Living
in Fear", and "Backstabber". The future may look bleak,
Armageddon may be in the not-so-distant future, but at least we have a
soundtrack to keep us occupied as we roam the wasteland in search of gas.
Search and destroy, my colored-headed brethren!.
-Larry Lugz
CHILDREN OF BODOM
HATE CREW DEATHROLL
CENTURY MEDIA
Finnish quintet Children
of Bodom are the pioneers of the new Euro metal sound rising from the underground,
and the outfit's latest apocalyptic release shows there's no slowing down
for these boys. Featuring nine tracks of relentless thrash metal with intricate
musical passages highlighted by atmospheric keys underneath a maelstrom
of aggression, Children of Bodom have not only created the genre, but have
it down to a science. The new sound of metal may take many shapes and forms,
but we may ultimately have Children of Bodom to thank for the sweet sounds
of chaos that they've happily bestowed upon us, as HATE CREW DEATHROLL
continues the musical exploration into excellence. Website
-Mike SOS
CHRISTIANSEN
STYLISH NIHILISTS
REVELATION RECORDS
Few underground bands have
been able to build the same level of hype that Christiansen has been able
to attain. The new album is very aggressive, a powerful blend of melodic
hardcore and punk rock. This album definitely has the potential for commercial
success. Brandon's vocals remind me sometimes of At the Drive-In material.
The guitar work is very powerful, while the drums showcases technicality
that you sometimes see lacking in modern hardcore bands. If you didn't
get the chance to see Christiansen on tour with My Chemical Romance, be
sure to visit the label's Website: Website
-ADF
EL BUZZARD
EL BUZZARD
SELF-RELEASED
You wouldn't think just by
looking at this band that they could produce songs that were influenced
by The Melvins or Karp, nor would you think that this album would have
the precision similar to that of Minor Threat, but as soon as you listen
to El Buzzard, you can hear why they are being featured on so many of this
year's compilations. With songs like "Dead Ringer" and my favorite, "Petition
to Expand", this album will give you a sense of being reborn, faith
that maybe punk rock hasn't sold out!completely. I highly recommend that
you go out and purchase this new album...or at the very least go to Website
and check them out.
-Ian Wilkins
THE ELECTRIC EYE
ELECTRIC WISDOM
DIRTNAP RECORDS
A giant eye shooting laser
beams - who thinks of this stuff?! Whomever it is, I salute you. The Electric
Eye is a straight-up, kick-you-in-the-nuts rock band, verging on punk but
not quite there. At times the lead singer bears a striking resemblance
to Brian Johnson of AC/DC fame, while at others it sounds almost as if
the band switches singers, which is just a little strange. The Electric
Eye also tend to not take themselves too seriously, which is also nice.
With songs like "Retard Ryder" and "Just Wanna Fuck",
the band is obviously just trying to melt some faces. Also, with lyrics
like "Girl, you and me are through!and that's bad" and "My
erection is shit," how on Earth can you lose? This record is a good
time. Go ahead and let these guys melt your face off.
-AC Lerok of Philadelphia
EXHUMED
ANATOMY IS DESTINY
RELAPSE
Exhumed is one of those bands
whose image and graphic nature garnish tons of attention - both good and
bad - for this Bay Area gore-metal outfit. On the quartet's third installment
of splatter metal, the production value is considerably better than that
of most other acts in the genre, thanks to Neil Kernon's golden metal touch.
Add in a grind-gore background (with highlights of breakthrough metal bands
like Slayer and Carcass), and the 11-track ode to blood and guts becomes,
unlike many of its peers' works, memorable. Noteable moments include the
Grade-A solo in "Under the Knife" and the foreboding intro of
the cleverly-titled "Grotesqueries". Some of it is still pretty
goddamn unintelligible, but Exhumed know that, and they balance out the
flash flood of meaty riffs and thunderous drum blasts with slower, almost
groovier SOUTH OF HEAVEN-esque passages. That's why this band may be the
biggest thing for gore metal since Carcass brought the genre from the bowels
of hell nearly 15 years ago: because they understand the all-around notion
of being extreme and are still pushing the envelope. Website
-Mike SOS
THE EXPLOITED
FUCK THE SYSTEM
SPITFIRE RECORDS
This is the eighth studio
release for aggro punk stars The Exploited. Formed in 1980 in Edinburgh,
the quartet has gone through quite a few line-up changes over the years,
with the current one including founder and frontman Wattie Buchan, Wullie
Buchan on drums, and Robbie and Mikie on guitar and bass. The thirteen
songs continue in the same mode of metal-influenced punk of the band's
earlier releases, with minimal lyrics that extoll the virtues of chaos
and an anti-authoritarian stance, and point fingers at politicians, government
and the usual targets. There are also a couple of love-gone-wrong songs.
I like the energy displayed on the disc, especially on the title track
and FUCKING LIAR, but usually prefer a bit more subtlety in the lyrics
department than The Exploited offer. However, if you are a fan or you like
no-holds-barred aggression in your music, you should definitely check this
out. I'd also like to add that this band is GREAT to see perform, so check
them out whenever you get a chance.
-Tekolote
FARMAKON
A WARM GLIMPSE
ELITIST
If I were to sum this release
up in one word, it would be: IMPRESSIVE! I can honestly say I love this
album. It's such a great sign when a band is already this good on their
freshman release. At first it may sound like the typical death-metal record
from any generic band, but the album progressively becomes more interesting
and captivating. Strangely enough, some of the songs even break down into
funk and lounge jazz rather than the typical heavy palm-muting. The disc
offers a lot of good, clean vocals, adding more and more to the depth of
these talented songwriters. Tracks to watch out for are "My Sanctuary
in Solitude" and "Pearl of my Suffering".
-SupZac
FEABLE WEINER
DEAR HOT CHICK
DOGHOUSE
Arguably one of the best
pop-punk bands this year would have to be Feable Weiner. I found myself
giggling at silly lyrics and downright obvious pleas for sex. Hanging out
with friends, driving on the highway, or just sitting at your computer,
Tennessee's freshest Weezer-esque quartet is constant entertainment. I
guarantee you'll be wishing for a "Strawberry Debutante", too.
DEAR HOT CHICK is candid and happy - not to mention excellently written.
-Chelsea Hassler
FERVENT HUB
FERVENT HUB
SELF RELEASED
Apparently, these guys have
no guitar player - although you wouldn't know it from listening. The band
has a ton of energy, which definitely comes through in the music, which
is fast but not so heavy. There isn't a song on this disc over two minutes
long, and it didn't depress me. The music shows promise, although it's
a little too skittish for my sensibilities. The linchpin of the record
is the energy. It is evident that these guys love to play music, and that
is appreciated. It's always nice to listen to a band that likes what they're
doing...yet it's just not enough for me. I did like "She's up and
down", but once you get into it, the song shifts gears completely.
It's something I just don't know about.
-AC Lerok of Philadelphia
FLUX OF PINK INDIANS (THE
EPILEPTICS)
FITS AND STARTS
DR. STRANGE RECORDS
This is some ugly music for
ugly reality. If you are looking for harmony, melody, and something for
dancing, find something else. If you are a fan of bands such as Crass,
Rudimentary Peni, and the like, Flux of Pink Indians might be for you.
Flux is rudimentary and Brit to the core, with the same anti-war/anti-system
messages that give political crust-punks a reason for living. This collection
of rare demos and live recordings is quite a find for the serious connoisseur
of early politi-core. After listening, I found it personally inspiring
to realize that I, too, could start a band with only the barest of essentials.
Even so, the messages of peace on Earth and active resistance against the
forces of fascism are as relevant today as they have ever been. I wonder
if the band members ever grew as musicians. Website
-Marcus Solomon
FOUND DEAD HANGING
DULLING OCCAMS RAZOR
BLACK MARKET ACTIVITIES
" Found Dead Hanging" is
probably one of the more vivid band names in recent memory, and this Syracuse
quintet's sonic output will also leave an indelible mark on your brain.
This six-song descent into the bowels of sludgy metal and grinding hardcore
is abrasive, loud, and ugly (ugly in the sense that the disjointed melodies
and visceral scream-a-thon is as jarring as a car crash and leaves just
as many cuts and bruises). The best thing about this band, however, is
the outfit's sense of humor, shown through song titles like "It's
Hard to Hail a Cab While Holding Yourself at Gunpoint" and "Taking
Stock Portfolio Advice from Martha Stewart". Website
-Mike SOS
FRACAS
ON TRIAL
CHEETAH'S RECORDS
Fracas has a large sound.
In fact, it revs up with that throaty NASCAR sound. This group's music
is somewhat - but only somewhat - Southern. These Southern leanings come
out magnificently on the rendition of Johnny Paycheck's "15 Beers".
Another good cover here is Dr. Know's "Watch It Burn", the only
other cover on this 16-track CD of pretty darn good hardcore.
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte
GHOSTS AND VODKA
ADDICTS AND DRUNKS
SIX GUN LOVER RECORDS
According to the band bio,
Ghosts and Vodka was the brainchild of a deaf/mute lead singer by the name
of Rudy Bump. He formulated the idea for the band while in prison, and
once out, he contacted ex-members of Cap'n Jazz, Tetsuo, and Joan of Arc.
The result was an incredible instrumental album of jazz-oriented rock songs.
Unfortunately, Rudy's vocals are sung within his head, so that the tracks
remain as instrumentals. With titles such as "Futuristic Genitalia", "Good
Luck with Your Multiple Personalities", and "Four Red Brains",
there is more than enough musical creativity evident on this disc. This
is a terrific album for any fan of Jeff Beck or modern jazz, but it's not
the kind of disc where you will be humming melodies throughout the day.
There are no pop or emo songs here, just solid, impressive jazz-oriented
rock. Try out a very creative Website at Website.
-DUG
GOATWHORE
FUNERAL DIRGE FOR THE ROTTING SUN
ROTTEN
Goatwhore is a New Orleans-based death-metal troupe whose latest, 12-track
offering meshes the NOLA sound with all of the extreme elements of old-school
Satanic metal, making this quartet the grooviest harbingers of doom out there.
Lyrically nihilistic and apocalyptic yet oh so musically potent, Goatwhore
shifts from Sabbath-like grooves to Venom-esque swagger with the ease of
a luxury car shifting gears. While some of the content and subject matter
may frighten you, the overall scare that this band is for real is the greatest
shock of all. For those who like extreme music dark with a definitive groove,
Goatwhore is the band to check out. Website
-Mike SOS
GOLD BLADE
STRICTLY HARDCORE
THICK RECORDS
Fronted by John Robb (of
The Membranes' fame), Gold Blade releases STRICTLY HARDCORE. The title
is a bit misleading: if you're expecting a hardcore album, then look somewhere
else. STRICTLY HARDCORE is punk rock stripped down to the bare essentials.
Musically, the main sound on the album is somewhere between The Ramones
and Sex Pistols. Each song is anthemic in nature, with either "whoooahs" or
the name of the song title repeated throughout. The album isn't all throwback
punk, though. On "Hairstyle", for example, Gold Blade show a
bit of their funky side in the groove, horns, and distorted vocals - a
mix of Parliament Funkadelic and Red Hot Chili Peppers (when the Chili
Peppers
were decent). All in all, you're in for a satisfying punk-rock experience
with this album, with a few surprises thrown in to shake things up.
-Dane Jackson
GRAILS
THE BURDEN OF HOPE
NEUROT RECORDINGS
Rambling and depressive,
Grails works up a thick stew of sound with stringed instruments ranging
from the electric guitar to the violin. Juxtaposing the avant-garde with
the popular, these Portland natives now and then squeeze out a somnambulant
type of noise worthy of John Cale. Too often, though, THE BURDEN OF HOPE
sinks under the weight of artiness and self-importance.
-Stephen B. Armstrong
GRANDPABOY
DEAD MAN SHAKE
FAT POSSUM RECORDS
Paul "Mr. Mats" Westerberg
jukes it up honky-tonk-style in this 14 song shindigger that leaves ya
singing the blues, husking the corn, and polishing off a 101-proof bottle
of bourbon. Dark and edgy, DEAD MAN SHAKE establishes Paul as a true bayou
babbler of wit and lore. Jumping it up '50s-style with "MPLS" and
jiving like The Rolling Stones on "Do Right in Your Eyes", Pauly
boy proves he's schooled in his craft and ventures off further into traditional
backwoods boogie and blues with epic pieces like "Take Out Some Insurance".
Inspirational indeed, traditional to a T and yet underground enough to
keep all you old-school punkers happier than shit. This would have made
the summer tolerable, but at least we have something to keep us sane in
the fall. Pick this up and feel good for a change. You'll love yourself
for doing it.
-Larry Lugz
GRAVEWORM
ENGRAVED IN BLACK
NUCLEAR BLAST
Italian gothic rockers Graveworm's
epic sound rivals Dimmu Borgir and Satyricon. While this band has been
in the scene for over seven years, ENGRAVED IN BLACK may be the breakthrough
album for this enchanted outfit. Grasping the throat of conventional metal
and spitting in its face, Graveworm meshes blast beats, keyboard overlays,
and slow, dirgy rhythms to maximize its assault on your senses. Containing
nine tracks of macabre, gothic metal, Graveworm's most triumphant moments
of ENGRAVED IN BLACK come during the song "Thorns of Isolation",
where the bagpipes and organ create a tune suitable for Medieval funeral
march - which is soon followed by the utter metal chaos of "Abhorence".
For those that like metal to be equally grim and grandiose, Graveworm obliges
both requests. Website
-Mike SOS
GREEN CARNATION
A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
SEASON OF MIST RECORDS
Green Carnation is from Norway
and began in the early ÌÓ90s, playing ÌÕthe Death Metal stylings of the day,ÌÒ according
to the press release. Current band members are Tchort, on guitar, Stein
Roger on bass, Bjorn Harstad on guitar, Kjetil Nordhus on vocals, Anderes
Kobro on drums, and Bernt A. Moen on keyboards. A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
is described quite accurately in the press release as ÌÕheavy, progressive
and strong melodic rock,ÌÒ with lyrics in English. Although the music is
rather slow and ponderous for my taste, and the songs go on rather long,
I liked the arrangements, which were lovely, if a trifle melancholy. Guitarist
Tchort's daughter died in 1998, and judging from the lyrics and the picture
of the little boy on the cover, he must have worked through some of his
emotions while writing the songs for this disc. I'd recommend this to fans
of classic rock, as well as Scandinavian metal.
-Tekolote
GREENFLY
HIDDEN PLEASURES OF NONEXISTENT
REALITY
MORBID RECORDS
Hailing from Spain, Greenfly
have put together a brand new death-metal album with some obvious grind
influences. Unfortunately, they had it pressed and released. I've heard
a lot of albums in my time, but never have I heard one with such a blatant
disregard to songwriting and structure in general. There is absolutely
nothing entertaining, original, provocative, or interesting about this
disc. Perhaps Dani and Ramon (the only two original members) should have
stuck with Haemorrhage, their side project. Tracks like "Crossbreaker" and "Born
Dead" are perfect examples of how Greenfly could have written all
the material for this album in about three hours and no one would have
known the difference.
-SupZac
HAMELL ON TRIAL
TOUGH LOVE
RIGHTEOUS BABE RECORDS
Hamell on Trial is Ed Hamell
armed with an acoustic ax, a living-room studio, and some pretty damn good
songs. On some tunes (like opener "Don't Kill"), Ed is a bit
high brow and self-righteous; but for the most part Ed has got some attitude
and some good ideas. He does sound like he's obsessed with acoustic-vibe
Beck. With 16 songs on TOUGH LOVE, you definitely get your dollars' worth.
My pick for best cut from Hamell on Trial is "Downs", which is
a story about being in a near-fatal car crash and finding sweet relief
in downers. TOUGH LOVE is not for everyone, but it's worth at least checking
out.
-H. Barry Zimmerman
HARMONY DIES
IMPACT
MORBID
It dies, indeed. This German
death-metal quintet wheel out 11 tracks of crushing riffs, lightning-fast
drumming, and pulverizing vocals that would make Cookie Monster proud.
Harmony Dies has been honing its craft for nearly a decade, and it shows,
as every groove part is precise and all of the expected death-metal maneuvers
are not only performed here but go above and beyond the call of duty. From
the twin guitar attack that sounds like an awakened swarm of bees to the
low-end bass crunch that will cause your skull to sink in, Harmony Dies
fits in well amongst the Cannibal Corpses and Morbid Angels of the death-metal
contingent. Website
-Mike SOS
HOLY MOTHER
AGORAPHOBIA
SPV
Holy Mother, a metal act
whose line-up consists of members from both Long Island and Europe, wheels
out its penchant for the good old days of metal on the 10-track AGORAPHOBIA.
Screaming lead vocals that harken back to Dio, old-school Axl, and Halford
are layered over crunchy, explosive metal riffs and rollicking rhythms.
Despite the outfit getting a bit overwrought at times (as most metal does),
Holy Mother manages to keep the heart of hard rock beating strong throughout,
mixing in everything from Megadeth-like guitar runs to falsetto metal shrills.
Holy Mother even go as far as covering the Ozzy-era Black Sabbath classic "Never
Say Die", capping off a real-deal heavy metal endeavor in fine form.
If you're seeking a metal band to bang your head to in the traditional
way, look no further than Holy Mother. Website
-Mike SOS
I EXAMPLE
BURN THE EMPTY TO THE ASH
NEWEST INDUSTRY
These kids from Kyoto, Japan,
combine pop melodies and heavy-metal chops to create the same sugar-punk
sound that made acts like The Muffs and early Frank Black so appealing.
Thanks to singer Junkou Gon's manic vocals and drummer Tomo Yamauchi's
relentless beats, the 12 songs featured here storm forward without a break,
avoiding all the emo babble and lame acoustic treatments that've seeped
into contemporary punk lately, making this one of freshest - if not one of
the best - releases of 2003.
-Stephen B. Armstrong
JAMISONPARKER
NOTES&PHOTOGRAPHS
SELF-RELEASED
JamisonParker is a collaboration
between two young men, Jamison Covington and Parker Case. After experiencing
each other's work through mail, Jamison moved from Kentucky to pursue something
musical with Parker. This is the duo's first release, a five-song EP that
is overflowing with good feelings and (more importantly) good music. Considering
the two have only been working together since the beginning of this year,
it is incredible. With influences ranging from Jimmy Eat World to The Cure
(and the influence easily seen), this EP will be pleasing to a variety
of listeners' ears. But hurry! They are getting big fast...and with good
reason. Website
-tChow
JKETTLE
MOMENTARY DELIGHTS
SOUL SHARD RECORDS
The debut solo full-length
release from Jeff Kettle (member of Suki Tawdry and Menthol Hill) is an
atmospheric romp through a French landscape laced with moody, half-realized
dreams. Kettle creates a virtual environment of sounds to formulate the
evocative mental pictures he wishes to portray on this disc. There are
the occasional wispy female vocals, more to lend a background than to carry
a tune. The real music here is in the feelings brought forth by these often
soft, sometimes playful moodscapes. This would be a great disc to play
if you invited the local poetry society over for canap䊫s and champagne. Website
-DUG
JUNKYARD
TRIED AND TRUE
HEAT SLICK RECORDS
It's not surprising this
band comes from Texas, as they sound like a Southern bar band, albeit with
a hair-metal singer. Somewhat of a strange combination, but in certain
circumstances it works. For instance, if I was in a bar getting loaded,
the boys from Junkyard would be an appropriate adjunct. If a guy spilled
a drink on me, "Fight" would be a good number for the jukebox.
On the other hand, if the can were out of order, then I would request "Holdin'
On". This record is good for a night with Uncle Jack Daniels. It's
no work of art, but it's good for a night at the pool hall and a High Life.
-AC Lerok of Philadelphia
KEYSTONE ALL-STARS
ONCE!AND YOUNG
JUMP START RECORDS
I can't believe how impressive
this release is. Hearty helpings of punk rock with hints of The Vindictives
and the flavoring of Stiff Little Fingers. It's speedy, yet paced very
well to make the songs interesting and straying away from the generic.
The song "Once!and Young" is a slower-paced number that brings
to mind the melodi-core of past bands like Husker Du and Jawbreaker. Edgy
and full of feeling, Keystone also proves they can rawk, churning out Sixer
meets Chuck Berry-ish tuneage with guitar-heavy classic "Broken Hearted
Paradise". It's still punk, but it defies the rules, questions the
norm, and chooses to be original and different - y'know, what punk is supposed
to do! This is definitely a keeper.
-Larry Lugz
KILL HANNAH
FOR NEVER AND EVER
ATLANTIC
Made up of mostly heartbreak
songs, FOR NEVER AND EVER hit home with me. What can I say? I've had my
own personal experiences, helping me relate to Kill Hannah's music. "New
Heart for Christmas", "Raining All the Time", and "From
Now On" all touch on the subject of love. Eight-year veterans of the
scene, Kill Hannah play an interesting mix of alternative and punk, interlacing
their songs with a variety of instruments. My favorite on this album has
to be "Unwanted", a melody about those who have been disenfranchised
by the system (a.k.a. the kids who wore trench coats in high school and
ate lunch in the farthest corners of the school while I threw apple cores
at them with my posse). The final track, "No One Dreams Anyway",
is a diverse six-minute ballad, again using a plethora of instruments.
From the photo they sent, I'm a little intimidated - but it's no matter:
these guys are too talented.
-Luke Skywalker
KING PRAWN
GOT THE THIRST
GOLF RECORDS
King Prawn ground themselves
with a slight ska sound. Instead of sticking to the formulaic ska routine,
they've blown it away. On GOT THE THIRST (this English band's first release
Stateside), you'll hear a nice mixture of ska, rock, metal, and even a
bit of hip-hop and funk. It's a very eclectic sound that can be described
as The Blue Meanies meets surf punk. While the album isn't as upbeat as
most ska albums, the guitar riffs and hypnotic voice of Al Rumjen will
get the best of you. After a first listen, King Prawn becomes almost like
a guilty pleasure. I don't feel guilty for liking King Prawn, because this
English band has taken a great form of music and made it their own by experimentation
and blending various genres. GOT THE THIRST is very eclectic - and that's
a good thing.
-Dane Jackson
KK NULL
ATOMIC DISORDER
NEUROT RECORDINGS
KK Null achieved wide recognition
in his landmark series of recordings as guitarist for post-hardcore outfit
Zeni Geva, a band deadly intensity and seriousness. Here, however, Null
shows us his side as an electronic composer for a cacophonous symphony
of electro-noise. The episodes of ragged drumbeats are the most engaging,
featuring Japanese simplicity, the low, over-modulated percussion is contrasted
with high, metallic clangs (such as is exhibited on the first track of
this CD). Otherwise, KK Null seems to flounder at the most basic level,
seeking a direction for this incoherent opus. Perhaps that is where the
title comes from!
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte
KREATOR
LIVE KREATION
SPV RECORDS
After being together for
nearly 20 years, Kreator has finally gotten their live album together - and,
I must say, it's one of the greatest live albums I've ever heard in the
thrash metal genre. Kreator has always been an amazing live act, and this
two-disc set truly captures the feeling. The crowd interaction is great
(as most non-American crowds are), which adds to the depth and feeling
of the songs. Kreator chose an excellent track list, spanning every one
of their albums. The only shame is that it took so long for Kreator to
put this out, but their fans have waited patiently and got what they deserved.
A masterpiece.
-SupZac
KRISIUN
WORKS OF CARNAGE
CENTURY MEDIA
Listening to this album was
like getting beat up by the schoolyard bully in the sixth grade!but in
a good way. I felt like I needed to wear a shirt that said, "Krisiun
kicked my ass '03." Straight out of Brazil, Krisiun and frontman Alex
Camargo offer 12 tracks of brutal death metal in the vein of Incantation,
Morbid Angel, and Dethroned. I think that one thing that stands out on
the record is the way that bassist Camargo and guitarist Moyses Kolesne
are always perfectly on track with each other, creating a sound slightly
different than most sloppy death-metal bands around today. It's no wonder
they were crowned the most intense band at the 1999 Milwaukee Metal Fest.
Great songs and greater energy earn.
-SupZac
KRUDDLER
THEY'RE THERE
LEARNING CURVE RECORDS
My first impression upon
seeing this album cover and reading the band name was not good, but after
hearing Kruddler, they instantly became one of my favorite bands of this
month. This pop-punk band from Minneapolis play songs that remind me of
Blink-182 - but don't worry: they sound nothing like them. I also get the
feeling these guys might be alcoholics: the band is pictured numerous times
holding glasses, and in their press release it includes information on
their favorite drinks. Well, who said you need to be sober to create good
music?
-Luke Skywalker
KUDZU WISH
REVERSE HURRICANE
ERNEST JENNING
Greensboro rockers Kudzu
Wish have produced a highly innovative record. Each track is a different
genre, and the quintet never fails to surprise the listener. From the Oi!-sounding "We've
Got Big Hands" to the intense and emotional "Are We Not Snow?",
there is a track for everyone. The riffs are intricate, and the lyrics
are compelling. REVERSE HURRICANE shows that Kudzu Wish is not your average
indie band.
-Chelsea Hassler
LATCHKEY/WALK PROUD/THE HOMEOWNERS/BULLET
TREATMENT
FURIOUS WORLD
BASEMENT RECORDS
Finally, a four-way comp
with balls and diversity. Four bands chugging out old-school hardcore the
old-fashioned way. The problem with the new school is that they rehash
speed-metal riffs over hardcore drumbeats. All bands here do their own
take on the genre, with great success. DC-area band Latchkey deliver early
Government Issue-style mayhem with plenty of beef and thought-provoking
lyrics. SoCal mainstay Walk Proud deliver high-decibel action with the
flavorings of Uniform Choice meets early period Agnostic Front and vocals
rants about self-appreciation and unity. Tough stuff, kiddies. East Coast
power-pusher The Homeowners deliver just the right amount of crunch with
some inspirational and well-crafted, growling vocals. And let us not forget
Bullet Treatment. This band is California's best-kept secret, churning
out classic punk on past releases, while this time out showing hardcore
who the real deal actually is. This release keeps the faith and proves
that hardcore doesn't have to be metal to be brutal.
-Larry Lugz
LEIGH SILVER AND THE BITTER
THINGS
SELF-TITLED
Three cheers for a chick
who rocks. Leigh Silver herself is what really stands out on this debut
EP. The album comes at you with some straight-up hard rock, very evident
in tracks such as "Moody" and "Everything". Silver's
vocals, however, are what teeter on that Gwen Stefani-type vibe, adding
extra spice to the record. Don't analyze this as punk or emo or any other
wacked-out type of genre; just see it is as rock 'n' roll, and you'll enjoy
it all the more.
-Darren Ratner
MACABRE
MURDER METAL
SEASON OF MIST
I definitely did not know
what I was getting myself into when I popped this disc into my player.
Let me start off by saying that this is the first death-metal band I have
ever heard use NURSERY RHYMES in their songs! Track 1, "Acid Bath
Vampire", transfers from a typical metal progression right into a
cute little rhyme about a vampire. It's strange. There are strong elements
of punk, classic, rock, and even jazz found here to provide the world with
a truly unique album. Unfortunately, lead singer and guitarist Corporate
Death has one of the worst voices I've ever heard in any genre of music.
The album is still entertaining, however, mainly because every song sounds
totally different - a feat most bands today cannot accomplish.
-SupZac
MANMADE GOD
MANMADE GOD
AMERICAN
Somewhere in between the
sonic boom of Soundgarden and the Southern drawl of The Black Crowes lie
the Bay Area quartet Manmade God. On the outfit's inaugural offering, there's
a slew of walloping rhythms and '70s-rock goodness. Containing 11 tracks
of soulful and thought-provoking rock that merits the comparisons to bands
like Zeppelin and Sabbath, Manmade God has brought forth a rock record
that has minimal excess and rock 'n' roll clich䊫 but that is chock full
of the earth-moving grooves - which many bands fail to achieve. Not exactly
unique, but in the landscape that the band habitats, Manmade God is by
far one of the more interesting and visceral troupes on the circuit. Website
-Mike SOS
MERCURY SWITCH
IF YOU LOVE ME, YOU'D TAKE
ME TO THE CITY
INDIANOLA
Mercury Switch is an interesting
mixture of many different bands. This New Hampshire-based quintet proves
through songs like "Today" and "Green Paper Trail" that
there's a hearty dose of metalcore in its ranks. Yet, after digging a bit
deeper, other influences start to show. An obvious example is the group's
dead-on cover of Smashing Pumpkins' "Tonight, Tonight", a left-of-center
rendition that's sure to turn a few heads. From there, anything's possible,
and Mercury Switch does its best to make that magic happen, with songs
like the punk-metal feel of "You Are Here" and the melancholic "Man
of Sorrows" helping this eclectic band change gears and keep it fresh
for both itself and the listener. Website
-Mike SOS
MISCONDUCT
...UNITED AS ONE
SIDE BY SIDE RECORDS
The crazy Swedes offer up
14 three-chord punk anthems revolving around the ideas of unity, peace,
and making a difference. The band's sound - which is one part melody, one
part grit, and one part intensity - is a welcome addition to the dying punk
genre. I'm not sure if it's a coincidence, but Misconduct share a few musical
similarities with fellow Swedes Millencolin - which isn't a bad thing - but
they also differentiate themselves from that more-known Swedish punk band
with more of a metallic feel to the guitar riffs and a harder vocal delivery.
Vocally, Misconduct have found a way to blend melodic singing with harder-edged
screaming. Not only do they sound great, but this band has the chance to
be huge...given the right opportunity.
-Dane Jackson
MNEMIC
PHENOMENA
NUCLEAR BLAST
Mnemic sounds like Static X if the weird, coiffed outfit hailed from Sweden,
so it's no surprise that this Danish quintet's punishing nine-track endeavor
that span the metal spectrum is a kick-ass release. Bridging the gaping hole
between Fear Factory and In Flames, Mnemic's rapid-fire metal delivery found
in such pummeling tracks as "DB'XX'D" and "The Naked and the
Dead" elicits headbanging, fist-pumping, and horned hands aplenty. Keyboards,
drum triggers, down-tuned guitars that rattle your skull, and a metal throat
that rivals those in heavy music's upper echelon are all evident here, making
for a gripping metal journey. Website
-Mike SOS
MONDO GENERATOR
A DRUG PROBLEM THAT NEVER
EXISTED
IPECAC
Queens of the Stone Age's
bassist and resident psycho Nick Oliveri's side project Mondo Generator
returns with its latest release, a 14-track ode to drugs, relationships
gone awry, and survival. Cleverly entitled A DRUG PROBLEM THAT NEVER EXISTED,
Oliveri and company shuffle through their punk-rock roots and add a slew
of influences to the mix, creating a lo-fi rock record with balls and bite.
There are songs that sound like QOTSA leftovers ("Do the Head Right", "Four
Corners"), while others let you catch a glimpse of the insane side
of Oliveri's mind (like the psychobilly "Girl's Like Christ" and
the bubblegum rock of "Jr. High Love"). But it's the tear-jerking,
hard-living, country-tinged balladeering found on "Day I Die" and
the unapologetic "All I Can Do" that make Mondo Generator's latest
release essential. Website
-Mike SOS
MORSE CODE HEARTBEAT
PAPER CUTS
GREY SKY
The bruiser "narcoleptic
recluse" preps us for the bludgeoning madness of PAPER CUTS - time shifts
galore, irregular and inventive guitar riffs, and feral vocals - which make
for one helluva record full of aggressive, jarring metal with splashes
of hardcore and grind. The unsurpassable "heroin chic" starts
with a dark, sinister riff, while the body of the song is fast and punishing,
ending with a hardcore breakdown. "north korea", with its disoriented
feel, is a slower offering until three minutes in, when the speed onslaught
begins. "late bloomer" is perhaps the most hyper, immediate track - but
still, the tempos are all over the place, as some slower parts are mixed
in. The real anomaly is the exceptional "dysphasia", a beautiful
instrumental that gets somewhat heavier as it progresses. Appearing midway
through the album, this gem acts as a slight respite from the chaos.
-Janelle Jones
MOTOCHRIST
GREETINGS FROM THE BONNEVILLE
SALT FLATS
HEAT SLICK
Motochrist's hard-rocking
stance sounds like the last hurrah of hair metal gone biker, as this 12-track
album chock full of dirty grooves and loud guitars fits as well on the
Sunset Strip as it does in a backwoods Harley bar. While there's a thread
of street punk running through GREETINGS, it's covered with a glammy Los
Angeles coating mixed with a honky-tonking primer, making songs like "6
Shooters, 6 Strings and 6 Packs" seem as sincere as possible. Website
-Mike SOS
MACABRE
MURDER METAL
SEASON OF MIST RECORDS
Chicago-based trio Macabre ‰ö?Corporate
Death (guitar and vocals), Nefarious (bass and vocals), and Dennis The
Menace(drums) ‰ö?has been playing music about murder for the last fifteen
years, without a line-up change. The latter, in itself, ought to bring
the band some props! The thirteen songs here are based on real-life murder
cases, including Jack the Ripper, the Hillside Stranglers, and Fritz Haarman,
a German butcher who made his victims into sausage, which he sold in his
shop. Some of the lyrics made me smile- for example ÌÕmorbid minister/he's
quite sinister.ÌÒ The last song, about Fritz Haarman, is in German. Perhaps
on Macabre's next release, the guys can cover MACK THE KNIFE, it being
German, grim, and a tale of true crime, as well as just a great song. My
only gripe about the record is that the vocals are done in traditional
gruff metal style, which I just can't get into at all, because there is
so little variation in phrasing and delivery that the songs all sound kind
of the same. I'd recommend this to metal fans OR anyone with an interest
in serial killers and their place in popular culture.
-Tekolote
MXPX
BEFORE EVERYTHING & AFTER
A&M
The memories this band evokes
in my head are intense. Odds are you loved MxPx at one time just as much
as I did. It seems like everyone has a special place in their heart for
this pop-punk trio from good ole Bremerton, WA. The great thing about MxPx
is that they are consistent, as each album they release (now counting 11
full-lengths (including a best of, a cover, and a live album)) stays painstakingly
true to their melodic punk sound. And with each release they seem to grow
a little more in their fame. The first single off BEFORE EVERYTHING & AFTER, "Well
Adjusted", was featured on a Pepsi commercial. Unbelievable, huh?
Well, not really. It seems completely plausible considering it's MxPx. Website
-tChow
NARCOLEPTIC YOUTH
HOW TO FAKE YOUR DEATH
LAST MINUTE RECORDS
Up until this release, Narcoleptic
Youth's output has been somewhat fragmented, consisting of split 7-inches
with Atomic Bombs and The Voids, as well as some cassettes and an EP. It's
good to have a full-length to listen to by this 909-area, old school sounding,
punk five-piece, which includes Joey Bondage on vocals, Binky the Elf on
guitar, Jay Sin on guitar and keyboard, Pep Rally on bass, and Johnny Cat
Scabies on drums. Inspired by The Adicts and T.S.O.L., among others, Narcoleptic
Youth has always shown a sense of humor in its songs, i.e., MINIVAN SOCCER
MOM, and live shows, i.e., vocalist Joey Bondage's condom hat, worn during
the song BUSTED CONDOM. This time round, the lyrics are not as funny, with
the exception of VICIOUS KILLERS, which is about forest critters going
amok. Otherwise, most of them deal with suicide, murder, and obnoxious
youths. I particularly liked RAW NERVE, which sounds like Sex Pistols,
and HEADCASE, which is super catchy . I'd say it's safe to say that you
should buy this if you're already a fan, or if you like the sound of early
British punk bands like The Adicts, Subhumans, or U.K. Subs. This is another
band that you should try to see live because of its exceptionally entertaining
stage show.
-Tekolote
NEIL PERRY
LINEAGE
LEVEL-PLANE RECORDS
The now-defunct Neil Perry
features members that later went on to form bands such as A Life Once Lost,
Hot Cross, and Welcome the Plague Year. These New Jersey legends formed
in 1998 and left a lasting mark on modern hardcore music. This collection
of songs features some very technical metal-core in the vein of A Life
Once Lost and From Autumn to Ashes. If you'd like to hear Jersey metal
at its finest, pick up this album.
-ADF
NEURAXIS
TRUTH BEYOND...
MORBID
Neuraxis is a Canadian death
metal outfit whose 12 tracks of intricate technical punishment is bound
to leave a headbanger listless and writhing in agony. Why? Because this
quartet supplies an ample array of grooves at 220 beats per minute, defying
even the strongest neck muscles to keep up with the insanity. Guttural,
grooving, and grinding, Neuraxis has all of the marks of a headbanger's
delight. Website
-Mike SOS
NEUROSIS & JARBOE
NEUROSIS & JARBOE
NEUROT RECORDINGS
A current of ambient noise
occasionally wells to ominous thunderheads on this recording. Vocalist
Jarboe (Swans) exquisitely offsets the gloomy menace with her exquisite,
cold, and crystalline vocals. Of course, the music is not all doom-and-gloom,
as quite often glinting acoustic guitar and warm melodies break through
to shine down on the damaged land. This is an album of texture and mood
that dispenses with the shock-and-awe approach of the military industrial-metal
complex to find a rich and fertile land far from both the predictable hard-rock
derivatives and the threat of new age.
-Tom "Tearaway" Schulte
NORMA JEAN
BLESS THE MARTYR AND KISS
THE CHILD
SOLID STATE RECORDS
Metal galore! These crazy
Christian rockers return with yet another metal-core assault. From the
opening track until the last, the listener is reminded of why Norma Jean
is sometimes called Zao's little brother. Similarities in the style really
remind one of old Zao material - but it's good, nonetheless. There are no
real surprises on this album, just another standard metal-core release.
Check out the label's site if you're into the heavier side of Christianity: Website.
-ADF
PEELANDER-Z
P-BONE STEAK
SWELL RECORDS
Peelander-Z is so cool that
I am practically speechless. On one hand, this is straight punk rock; but
there is an element inside of the music, the secret sauce, that is like
a Godzilla movie meets a wacky samurai flick gone acid-freak chic. This
disc must be heard to be understood. Some of the song titles include "S.T.E.A.K.", "Ninja
High School", "Pun! Pun! Punkrock!", and "Mad Tiger".
Also included is the funniest rockin' version of the classic Kiss anthem "Detroit
Rock City". I have not smiled this intensely while listening to an
album since the first time I heard Frank Zappa's UNCLE MEAT - and that
is some serious praise. I fucking love this disc. You will too...maybe.
Try
it.
-H. Barry Zimmerman
THE PHANTOM LIMBS
DISPLACEMENT
ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES
I'm just not feeling this
album. After listening to it, DISPLACEMENT sounds like the soundtrack for
B-movie in the horror genre. The keyboards are very unnerving and slightly
gothic. While the lyrics are interesting at times, Loto Ball's vocals just
don't do it for me. He sounds like he's either talking fast or yelling.
I just had a hard time getting into the whole gothic post-punk feel, so
I can't recommend it.
-Dane Jackson
PIANO DRAG
POSSESSIONS AND POSITIONS
ONE CELL
Despite being together almost
four years now, this will be the first release from indie rockers Piano
Drag. With tunes in the vein of Q and not U, Fugazi, and At the Drive-In,
this will be a record well-received by the indie public. This is great
stuff, exactly what any lover of the above-mentioned bands would like to
add to their collection. The music is amazing, with a seamless fusion of
electronic and organic instrumentation. The talent displayed by this band
is hard to deny. Website
-tChow
PINK GREASE
ALL OVER YOU
HORSE GLUE
There's a lot of hype over
this band, which has toured all over Europe with such acts as The Faint,
Ladytron, and Liars. With that history and six members (plus three back
up singers), you'd think they would have more to show than what they display
on this album. A pedestrian mix of synthesizers, indie rock, and Brit-punk,
Pink Grease does what many others have done/are doing already...but not
quite as well. I must admit, there is some catchiness to the songs, and
I am sure they will be well-received in some circles, but there's nothing
too explosive about this band. They're fun, but that's pretty much it.
Website
-tChow
PLANS FOR REVENGE
BURNS, SCARS, AND MEMORIES
CAVALIER
Do you like Thrice or Thursday?
Odds are you probably do or know someone who does. If that is true, listen
to this album by Plans for Revenge. They have all the potential and the
sound to be the next Thrice or Thursday. Their first full release, BURNS,
SCARS, AND MEMORIES, is impressive for the young six-piece, though it is
still weak in certain areas. Nothing, though, stands in the way of this
band "making it." They just need some time to mature and tighten
up their sound. Website
-tChow
PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT
DEEDS OF DERANGEMENT
MORBID
Well, as far as band names
go, this one has got a certain ring to it, no? Dutch death-metallers Prostitute
Disfigurement's penchant for the grotesque sure fits in nicely with its
I'm-singing-into-a-suction-cup style. And when backed by a 200-beat-per-minute
cacophony, you really can't go wrong. The best vocal on this disc isn't
sung, though, as the 30-second intro into the cleverly titled "Deformed
Slut" contains a virtual soundtrack to depravity. For those who like
it gross, look no further. Website
-Mike SOS
PROTAGONIST
HOPE AND RAGE
BLACKOUT RECORDS
On track 3, "The Unity
Clause", Protagonist sum up their entire being when they gang sing, "We
are the army of hope." HOPE AND RAGE is a perfect title for this tough-as-hell
disc. To have hope in a world gone mad is much tougher to pull off than "fuck
it." I am inspired by HOPE AND RAGE. Led by the Marullo brothers,
Protagonist is writing solid, anthemic tunes and rocking them with balls.
HOPE AND RAGE is a brick-hard CD with personal revolutionary ideals to
spare. A real jewel.
-H. Barry Zimmerman
QUEERS/MANGES
ACID BEATERS
STARDUMB RECORDS
I am kind of ashamed and
embarrassed to admit that I'm not too familiar with The Queers, but this
split educated me about the classic punk-rock music created by this band.
Not expecting much when I first played the album, I was so happy to be
surrounded by the sounds of "Chewy Chewy" from my car stereo.
It made my day. And who cannot love a cover of the oldie "Wipeout",
an excellent instrumental highlighting drummer Dusty Watson (formerly of
Dick Dale). As the Manges portion of the album begins, you are greeted
by THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB theme song from FULL METAL JACKET, which goes
right in to a purely punk song, "Frontline". All the way from
Italy, this talented group plays music that should always be represented
by Americans - but, unfortunately, isn't. If Manges can get it right, why
can't some of the American groups out here play a decent song instead of
the crap they create? Besides a slight accent, Manges play flawlessly.
-Luke Skywalker
RADIO BERLIN
GLASS
ACTION DRIVER RECORDS
Hooray! Another chilly post-punk
band emerges from the commercially-viable shadows of Interpol and The Stills.
Unfortunately, Radio Berlin lack both the jaw-breaking hooks and sweetly-intoned
yet dour whine of the aforementioned groups. A calculating (if not brilliantly
calculated) affair, GLASS limps by on squelchy bass lines and whitewashed
guitars that sound watered-down and lightweight by comparison. Had GLASS
been released in 1983, it might have been a hit; but as it stands now,
it's little more than a collection of second-rate Milemarker tossaways.
-Jason Jett
RICK RAY BAND
INTO THE HANDS OF SINNERS
NEUROSIS RECORDS
The Rick Ray Band has been
around for a shade over a decade. This much I will say about old Rick Ray
and his band: they are notable musicians. Some of the guitar work from
Rick Ray is pretty damn impressive. That said, I'm not too impressed with
the actual music. The first song is a far too long eight minutes. The band
exploits their musicianship, focusing a little too much on the solos and
not enough on lyrical content, structure, or vocals. At any rate, The Rick
Ray Band falls a little short, legends or not.
-AC Lerok of Philadelphia
SALT THE EARTH
THE PROCESS OF BREAKING
ANXIETY RECORDS
Although Salt the Earth hails
from Kansas, this five-song EP (the group's second release) was recorded
in Riverside, California with producer Dave Swanson, who has worked with
Static Lullaby and Rufio, as well. The press release says, ÌÕ[T]he EP's
five songs serve as a diary of a deteriorating relationship.ÌÒ Guitarist/vocalist
Martin Bush acknowledges that this is hardly new territory for songwriting,
but points out that many great songs have been written on the same subject.
I can't personally say any of those on this EP are among them; it sounds
pretty much like standard emocore to me, as well as very KROQ-friendly.
Bush's vocals are strong and tuneful, and I like the inclusion of keyboards
on some of the songs. Hopefully the group will develop a more unique sound
as it continues to grow.
-Tekolote
SCHOOL FOR HEROES
LISTEN
TRIBUNAL
If an album is entitled LISTEN,
what does that actually say about the disc? Does it peak your interest
and make you want to tear the package and absorb the music, or is it merely
a stab at attention, masking the band's inadequacies? In the case of Florida's
School for Heroes, it's a bit of both, as the "don't dare call us
emo, even though we are" clan provide an emotional roller coaster
in the form of a 10-track CD. Showcasing a style that delves into California
nu metal, shoegazing Midwest shuffle, and East Coast post-hardcore, the
band may be better off indicating a particular preference for identity
purposes. School for Heroes may also need a bit of re-training as well.
The quintet's bland scream/sing combo, coupled with the uninspired heaviness,
seems to be done by numbers rather than through heart. Website
-Mike SOS
SELFMADEMAN
THE DAYLIGHT ROBBERY
SMALLMAN RECORDS/ LOOKOUT!
RECORDS
This is supposed to be Canadian
punk rock, a few notches above all other Canadian punk-rock bands. If this
is Canada's idea of punk, then I feel sorry for all of our good neighbors
that reside to the north. This is the debut album from Selfmademan, and
it leaves much to be desired. Every song after the first one will have
you wondering, "Where have I heard that song before? Oh, wait: it
sounds exactly like the previous one." With lyrics that match the
dull instrumentals, you will wonder why you still haven't started a band,
especially if it was this easy to get signed by a decent-size label. Do
you still feel compelled to hear them? Well, then you can learn all about
Selfmademan at their thrilling new Website, Website.
-Ian Wilkins
SEVENTH CIRCLE
SEVENTH CIRCLE
MELTING RICE
Seventh Circle is a California-based
rock troupe whose 11-track release comes off like a mid-tempo goth-rock
act meeting alternative metal (è la Candlebox). Disjointed, sloppy at times,
and ploddingly slow, Seventh Circle's CD has glimpses of promise (like
the serene groove of "Overdose"), but on the whole it has nothing
different to offer than the countless throng of struggling garage bands
looking to make it.
-Mike SOS
SHOTPOINTBLANK
KILL...BREATH...KILL
SURPRISE ATTACK
Shotpointblank is apparently Australian for hardcore - or at least that's
what this quartet from Down Under would like you to believe. Based on the
group's
eight tracks of unbridled aggression, SPB does a very good job of deriving
Hatebreed's anger and Madball's violent breakdowns, especially in the pit
anthem "Born to Die", whose torturously screamed chorus of "born
to die" is bound to send people to the hospital. Otherwise, this band
gets lumped in with the countless other metalcore acts that bark and bite
equally hard. Website
-Mike SOS
SHRINE OF SCARS
VIOLENCE IS THE ANSWER
DISFIGURED RECORDS
Despite the extremely negative
and depressing message the lyrics and images found in the lyric book present,
Shrine of Scars definitely know how to play death metal. Many of the songs
feature a unique sound that suggests Shrine of Scars is on the rise to
holding their own place in the metal scene. My favorite track on the album
is "Dimensional Terror", because it stands out as the foundation
of the album, showcasing all of the band's outside influences (including
Slayer, Death, Morbid Angel, and most '80s sounding death metal groups).
The recording quality isn't top notch, but it gives the album a ton of
character. Fantastic riffing and vocal work.
-SupZac
SMOGTOWN
TALES OF GROSS POLLUTION
DISASTER RECORDS
Smogtown isn't around any
longer: they broke up last May after only putting out two records. This
posthumous release is their early demos, assembled to remind fans of what
Smogtown sounded like when they first started. Isn't that nice of them?
If that was the case, however, expect this album to be sold at wholesale
prices! But since it's probably not, I'd have to assume it's also a way
to make a little extra money without putting out any new songs. Can we
forgive them? I think we should, because they use to rock! Coming out of
Southern California, they certainly have similarities with The Circle Jerks
and early Black Flag, but they also have a sound similar to that of '77
English punks like Buzzcocks and The Damned. They also have some modern
street-punk or pop-punk similarities...but I have no idea who those bands
would be, so I can't say.
-chad
SPACE CADET
GREATEST HITS
SATELLITE/TRAUMA RECORDS
Who said only steers and
queers come from Texas? Space Cadet bring us a blend of modern pop rock
and punk. For fans of artists such as Good Charlotte, Sum 41!you get the
picture. Apparently, Texas never got the memo that pop-punk was deemed
shitty a few years back. This album is watered-down music at its best.
Go buy it!
-ADF
SPEARING JOCASTA
THE CASSANDRA COMPLEX
LIFE SENTENCE
On this seven-song EP, Spearing
Jocasta (a five-piece out of NJ) have perfected their brand of smart, complex
hardcore. Each elaborate composition is a mini-epic in and of itself, comprised
of numerous unexpected twists and innovative artistic flourishes (like
the intricate, placid guitar coda found on the otherwise blistering "breaking
on the wheel"). Moreover, songs alternate between the menacing and
the ethereal flawlessly. A prime example is "methuselah", a track
that starts out like AND SUCH IS PROGRESS-era Grade, then gets extremely
serene (with subdued vocals, minimal guitars, and soft drums) but builds
up to a tidal wave of crushing instrumental fury and intermittent screams
amidst the singing, only to revert to the former placid style until the
ripping, intensely passionate final minute-and-a-half. And what of the
trippy closer, "a murder of crows"? This experimental instrumental
is definitely an ambitious, unforeseen finale.
-Janelle Jones
SPOKEN
A MOMENT OF UNBROKEN CLARITY
TOOTH AND NAIL RECORDS
The debut full-length release
from this Arkansas-based quintet is a hard-edged piece of work with a positive
message (along the lines of P.O.D.). It's never easy to be positive and
still scream out with angst and ennui, but Spoken does a good job of it.
Once again, Tooth and Nail has found a band that can cut across a genre
and still manage to toss in a nice, melodic pop tune once in a while. On
some the tunes (such as "A Breath in the Fog") Spoken are more
up front about the Christian message than most punk/emo bands, but they
would be prime cuts for some cloistered kid to play on Sunday afternoon
for his fundamentalist parents who don't want their child exposed to satanic
rock. This band is hipper than Sister Hazel and beats the crap out of Creed.
Spoken is the best thing to come out of Arkansas since the Clintons!and
the big-haired interns. Website
-DUG
SQUIRTGUN
FADE TO BRIGHT
HONEST DON'S RECORDS
Since Squirtgun formed out
of the ashes of Rattail Grenadier in 1993, the band has established themselves
as a unique force in the pop-punk scene. On their latest disc, FADE TO
BRIGHT, Squirtgun continues to tear it up with ballsy hooks and loads of
rock 'n' roll cool. The list of modern punk-rock heroes featured on FADE
TO BRIGHT includes such notables as Kris Roe (The Ataris), Justin Sane
(Anti-Flag), Zac Damon (Big in Japan), Phillip Hill (Teen Idol), and many
more. The universal support is testimony to the power of Squirtgun. The
vocals of Matt Hart drip with sparks and attitude, and the three cats on
amps and skins have a raw intensity that is simultaneously tough and fun.
FADE TO BRIGHT is a fucking great disc. Go get it.
-H. Barry Zimmerman
STRATA
NOW THE INDUSTRY IS OUTNUMBERED
CAMPBELL AVENUE MUSIC
Strata's debut EP is a washed-out
m䊫lange of overwrought riffs and strained vocals, devoid of the furious
anger that has made the work of other (real) nu-metal bands (like Limp
Bizkit and Tool) occasionally interesting. Half-asleep and happy with itself,
this CD reminds me of a piglet at its mama's breast: it sucks.
-Stephen B. Armstrong
STREET DOGS
SAVIN HILL
CROSSCHECK RECORDS
If you're hearing hints of
Dropkick Murphys here, well, frontman Mike was the original vocalist of
the Boston powerhouse. This time out, Mikey delivers the goods in pure
street-rock anthem mode. Brutally honest rock songs that raise your blood
pressure, inspire your soul, and break the monotony of day-to-day life.
It's fun and lighted-hearted, but still heavy enough to satisfy your taste
for aggression. Very similar to what Roger Merit and the Disasters is churning
out - and maybe twice as relevant. You'll also love this for it's Sham
69 reworking of "Borstal Breakout", now aptly titled "Boston
Breakout". This one is a winner in my book and is destined to become
a staple in my CD player.
-Larry Lugz
STREET DOGS
SAVIN HILL
CROSSCHECK RECORDS
Former Dropkick Murphys'
singer Mike McColgan stopped playing in '98 to fulfill his childhood dream
of becoming a Boston firefighter. Four years have passed, and once again
the fire has be ignited, as McColgan has reunited with former Dropkick
Murphys' drummer Jeff Erna. Together they have created 15 new punk anthems
that are guaranteed to knock your socks off. They cover the full spectrum
with this album, from songs about relationships gone sour to Bostononian
working-class ethic ("Modern Day Workers Anthem"). The only person
who could put out the fire that has been lit under Street Dogs would be,
well, Mike. You could download a few songs off the debut album SAVIN HILL
at Website.
-Ian Wilkins
STRETCH ARMSTRONG
ENGAGE
SOLID STATE
Stretch Armstrong has played
a bevy of shows and recorded three albums prior to their new release, ENGAGE.
And while this quintet have toured with acts as varied as Good Charlotte
and Hatebreed, the South Carolina hardcore troupe's latest release signals
diversity and overall growth for the boys. Employing a more direct musical
approach (bordering on MTV-friendly punk rock) coupled with the band's
cornerstone attitude of positivity equals the band stepping into its own.
Just check out the Snapcase-esque groove of "Rising Again" or
the aggressive madness of "Devil Shoots Devil" as proof that
Stretch Armstrong have moved on up to the next level. Displaying the perfect
mixture of what's hot both on the radio and in the underground, Stretch
Armstrong's ENGAGE showcases a group on the verge of bigger things. Website
-Mike SOS
S.T.U.N.
EVOLUTION OF ENERGY
GEFFEN
S.T.U.N. is a new revolutionary quartet whose overall act and demeanor seems
very derivative. If there was never a band like Rage Against the Machine
or At the Drive-In, then this group would be the most important act out there.
Instead, it's 2003, and it seems here that S.T.U.N. is trying a bit too hard
to wear the revolution on its sleeve. EVOLUTION OF ENERGY reeks of corporate
cashing in and false sincerity - two "ideals" that ultimately seal
the deal for many a band. It's a shame, because songs like "Here Come
the Underground" and "Love and Chaos" could be so much more
if the band really meant it. Website
-Mike SOS
STYLEX
AUTO FOCUS
ACTION DRIVER
Sounding like the grandchildren
of Devo minus the genius, Stylex is still worth a listen. AUTO FOCUS is
by no means a great album. Stylex is running about 70/30, good to bad.
Haling from Bowling Green, OH (hey, Devo is from OH, too), Stylex has the
gadget/lab geek thing going on fused with the rockin' moments of an unripe
band happening on to rockin' almost by accident (such as on track 7, "The
Best News"). I really want to hear Stylex's next disc. Good luck,
you freaks.
-H. Barry Zimmerman