5.16.2019

SHITTY LIFE






















"switch off your head"
Year:  2018
Country:  Italy
City:  Parma
Label:  Spastic Fantastic
Format:  LP
Tracks:  18
Time:  20 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Punk Rock













Sometimes we just need hooks, even in the genres we typically don’t think of as being defined by their catchiness. I went into Italian quintet Shitty Life’s new LP Switch Off Your Head expecting some pretty straightforward fastcore, but instead I got a bouncing dose of “power punk.” With mostly clean power chord garage riffs, some amazingly recorded drums, and raucous, pissed-off vocals, Shitty Life does nothing new in the absolute best way possible. This is what I want when I think of the phrase “pop punk”; just really infectious, well-written punk earworms that even non-hardcore fans will love, and that wouldn’t sound out of place if they came on at a party. But the pop sensibilities don’t prevent the band from baring their aggression; for pretty much the whole album you get the sense that these tightly wound tunes are about to burst at the seams, a vicious explosion of aggression struggling against its candy coating. Switch Off Your Head is a simple album, but can serve a variety of purposes: afternoon pick-me-up, skate session soundtrack, friendly fist fight music; everything except calming down in any shape or form (*Review by Jack Davison ).
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5.05.2019

BEATEN TO DEATH
























"agronomicon"
Year:  2018
Country:  Norway
City:  Oslo
Label:  Mas-kina
Format:  CD
Tracks:  12
Time:  22 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Grindcore

















modern grindcore band from from Oslo, Norway. Formed in 2011. Beaten to Death was formed in 2011 by Martin Rygge, Tommy Hjelm (both normally heard handling guitar-duties in Oslo-based metalcore quartet Insense) and drummer Christian Svendsen (also the relentless drumming machine in Tsjuder, The Cumshots, Grimfist and Gothminister), with Mika Martinussen and vocalist Anders Bakke (the latter well-known in the metal community after years of fronting the mighty She Said Destroy) completing the line-up. On September 26th 2011 the band released their first album on Mas-Kina Recordings, consisting of 9 songs, 1 second of silence, and 18 min 36 sec of gritty but strangely catchy grindcore - all recorded 100 % live at the bands rehearsal room during one weekend (except the vocals which were recorded a few days later). Machine gun drums, ferocious guitars, snarling bass and intense vocals is the foundation of the B2D-sound. Add hauntingly beautiful harmonies and a brutal groove, and what you have is an infectious collection of deadly grind you won’t be able to sit still to, no-matter what your taste in music happens to be.
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4.29.2019

AFTER THE BURIAL























"evergreen"
Year:  2019
Country:  US
City:  Minneapolis, MI
Label:  Sumerian
Format:  CD, LP
Tracks:  9
Time:  45 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Metalcore















Having already reviewed Whitechapel this year, it seems only fitting that a new After The Burial record would come along so soon after. Whilst not being in the same sphere of musical style at all both bands are at a similar point in their careers. After The Burial much like Whitechapel are also absolute masters of their sound a band that has remained pretty much unrivaled in terms of musicianship and influence.

Evergreen (Sumerian Records) is the band’s latest opus and feels and sounds like ATB have always done but with also just enough tweaks to keep things interesting. There is no wild shift in style with that heavy Meshuggah influence still present but this time there is way more emphasis on groove and yes shudder to the thought actual hooks.

 ‘In Flux’ is a massive, huge statement of an opening song, this immediately took me back to the album In Dreams (also Sumerian) with that riff and pinch harmonic refrain becoming embedded in my skull from the off. This kind of progressive, tech metal can admittedly wear thin sometimes so it was so good to hear something fresh so early on.

 The production helps immensely throughout with a dirtier less precise mix, there’s a bit of grit and grime that I really wasn’t expecting. The balance of this with the technical nature of the songwriting is a very effective combination. ‘Quicksand’ is another slice of goodness this time with a very slow dark and methodical riff echoing much which came with last album Dig Deep. I adore this side of ATB as it differs so greatly from their previous work. Guitarist Trent Halfdahl is now the only surviving member of the original line up and he has poured every bit of himself into Evergreen. Those chugging riffs still batter you senseless and his sweeping solo style is still at times breathtaking. 
After a strong start, the familiar drawbacks of the djent sound start to rear their ugly heads. Now while the overall sound is well-rounded there is enough wizardry and flair in the music the vocals really do need a lot of work. Now I’m not saying that there needs to be an abundance of clean vocals à la Periphery or even Monuments. There just needs to be a lot more variation, something to take these songs to the next level.

Take ‘Respire’ for instance a track which is about as straight ahead Metalcore as ATB will ever get and somewhere where I felt the vocals could have really filled things out. Instead, it just dissolves into the same style no matter what the music is doing. Evergreen is a very apt title being that ATB is still here and will be for many years to come. This is a very solid progressive metal album which still shows why they’re so highly regarded amongst fans and peers alike. There is just so those same nagging problems which stop it being a masterpiece (*Review by Kieran Mitchell ).
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"wolves within"
Year:  2014
Label:  Sumerian
Format:  CD, LP
Tracks:  9
Time:  36 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Metalcore







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"in dreams"
Year:  2010
Label:  Summerian
Format:  CD
Tracks:  8
Time:  30 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Metalcore








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"forging a future self"
Year:  2006
Label:  none
Format:  CD, LP
Tracks:  9
Time:  30 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Metalcore








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4.12.2019

WAR//PLAGUE


















"into the depths"
Year:  2018
Country:  US
City:  Minneapolis, MN
Label:  Profane Existence
Format:  LP
Tracks:  10
Time:  35 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Crust Punk













Forming in early 2008, War//Plague have been one of the most dedicated and productive DIY punk bands for the last decade bringing socio/political rage and ferocity to their music. With 10 releases to date, there is no end in sight for these veteran Minneapolis punks. Born out of the ashes of previous Minneapolis bands Provoked, Pontius Pilate and Calloused, War//Plague continue to be active in the DIY community and constantly push the envelope with their ever-evolving sound. War//Plague know their roots and the underbelly of the DIY movement has fueled them since day one.
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"carrion"
Year:  2016
Label:  Profane Existence
Format:  LP
Tracks:  9
Time:  36 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Crust Punk








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4.07.2019

WHITECHAPEL
























"the valley"
Year:  2019
Country:  US
City:  Knoxville, TE
Label:  Metal blade
Format:  CD, LP
Tracks:  10
Time:  40 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Death Metal
















The Lowdown: Thirteen years and seven albums into their career, Whitechapel have crafted one of their most fascinating works with The Valley. The album is the furthest departure the band has ever taken from that deathcore sound found back on The Somatic Defilement. More fascinating, however, is the emotional depths in which The Valley explores, and how brilliantly that emotion intertwines with equally brutal and passionate instrumentals. The Good: The Valley is brimming with heartache and desperation as vocalist/lyricist Phil Bozeman shares the struggles of his childhood. In particular, Bozeman focuses on the troubles regarding his mother, and the back and forth battle between himself and his stepfather. “When a Demon Defiles a Witch”, Third Depth”, and “Doom Woods”, are just a few examples of Bozeman’s revealing intimacy throughout the record. The grim poetic nature of his words provide captivating insight into his life; in “When a Demon Defiles a Witch”, he shares, “What has the world come to when a demon defiles a witch?/ Nobody trusts a word I say/ I can’t erase these memories/ But I will erase humanity.” Bozeman’s clean vocals make much more of a presence throughout The Valley; that said, it isn’t the only significant change in Whitechapel’s musicianship. The music, distant from any overwhelming deathcore qualities, provides a plethora of diverse compositions that will keep listeners engaged. The instrumentals ride to a catchy, pulse-pounding groove; the drums and bass shift from calculated flows to sporadic flurries, with the guitars shooting off into melodic bursts and menacing rhythms. “Hickory Creek” makes for a tremendous example of the band’s craftsmanship, providing a range of atmosphere that grows from somber and gentle to vibrant and angry. The Bad: While not a strong complaint, the only issues within The Valley are the few songs that come off as “generic.” While “Lovelace”, “Brimstone”, and “Black Bear” are fine additions, they don’t offer anything unique to stand out among the record’s more intricate and emotional tracks. The Verdict: Throughout Whitechapel’s career, they’ve built constantly upon their sound; it’s with The Valley that Whitechapel not only provide their best work in years but take the next step up in their artistry. Thanks to a unique blend of instrumentation, excellent vocal talent, and poetic lyricism, Whitechapel’s The Valley takes its place among the upper ranks of the band’s discography. Essential Tracks: “When a Demon Defiles a Witch”, “Hickory Creek”, “The Other Side”. (*Review by Michael Pemental )
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4.01.2019

MONSTER SQUAD






















"depression"
Year:  2018
Country:  US
City:  Vacaville, CA
Label:  Voltage
Format:  LP
Tracks:  12
Time:  28 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Punk













Monster Squad is a hard hitting, energetic, 5 piece consisting of catching leads, aggressive drumming, powerful vocals, and creative bass lines that have been dominating the punk scene throughout the country. Monster Squad has set out to bring their music to a new level with a raw stage show as well as extensive touring.
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"fire the faith"
Year:  2007
Label:  Voltage
Format:  CD, LP
Tracks:  11
Time:  26 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Punk








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"strength through pain"
Year:  2004
Label:  Voltage
Format:  CD, LP
Tracks:  12
Time:  24 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Punk








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3.24.2019

DEAD ENDING



















"shoot the messenger"
Year:  2017
Country:  US
City:  Chicago
Label:  Alternative Tentacles
Format:  CD, LP
Tracks:  13
Time:  26 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Hardcore Punk













I’ve been a fan of Chicago’s Articles of Faith for many years. Their Complete, Vol. 1 and Complete, Vol 2 compilations on Alternative Tentacles are essential listening for any serious punk fan. The band originally existed in the early to mid 80’s, so most of us never got a chance to see them play live. (There were only brief reunions in 1991 and 2010.) So why am I talking about Articles of Faith? Because Dead Ending might just be the next best thing. Former AoF singer Vic Bondi’s voice and lyrics are front and center in Dead Ending. It’s the same combination of radical politics and musical aggression that made Articles of Faith so compelling.

The irony is, at first, Bondi was probably the least well known member of this hardcore supergroup. Guitarist Jeff Dean is best known for his work with Jeff Pezzati of Naked Raygun fame in The Bomb. He also played in Noise By Numbers with Dan Vapid, who has played in a ton of bands including Screeching Weasel. Drummer Derek Grant is best known for playing with Alkaline Trio, but has also been a member of The Suicide Machines and a bunch of other bands. The original bassist was Joe Principe from 88 Fingers Louie and Rise Against. He left the band last year and was replaced by Nate Gluck from Ensign.

Dead Ending actually makes a lot of sense in 2017, which has already been an extremely good year for old man hardcore. (See also Bloodclot, Dead Cross and FYPM.) They certainly sound more like AoF than A3 or 88FL. Bondi and Articles of Faith were railing against Reagan more than 30 years ago, it naturally follows that Dead Ending would do the same against the disaster that is Trump. What’s even more impressive is that the band actually formed in 2012. Most people on the left seemed quick to give Obama a free pass for the horrible things he did, but not Dead Ending (or AT label head Jello Biafra for that matter).

Album opener “The Long Decline” seems to acknowledge that our problems didn’t instantly appear a year or so ago. The rapid fire song would seem to apply to us as a country as well as individually. “Bring On The Mob” continues the intensity and insinuates that the public must do what the proper authorities will not. The songs are mostly traditional fast punk and hardcore with shouted vocals and memorable choruses. “Class War” continues with this formula, but “Manic In Detroit” is basically a 44 second freak out. A second, more melodic voice is introduced on “Make My Own Way”, and it’s a nice contrast to Bondi’s raspy howl.

That secondary voice sticks around for “Subtle”, which may be my favorite song on the LP. I really have to fight the urge to yell along with the chorus “Red, white, red ,white and bullshit, red, white and bullshit!”. The title track adds some weird, jazzy chords. “Fate” might sound the most like a true Articles of Faith song. “The Boss Wants My Vote” borrows ideologically and lyrically from the Dead Kennedys version of the David Allan Coe/Johnny Paycheck country classic “Take This Job and Shove It”. Closer “Better Day” might best sum up the Bondi and the band’s purpose with “All we’re looking for is a better day”.

I know I’ve spent a lot of time talking about Bondi and AoF. That is my reference point, but it is not my intention to slight the other three guys . Dead Ending is truly a band effort and probably wouldn’t work nearly as well with different pieces. The guitar, bass and drums are all as on point as the message. The message that addresses problems that really haven’t improved in the last 35 years. It can be very discouraging, but we can take some comfort in the the fact that there are guys as smart as Vic Bondi and Dead Ending articulating these problems for us. Shoot the Messenger is essential hardcore for 1982 or 2017. (*Review by Tom Trauma ).
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3.22.2019

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE






















"alive or just breathing"
Year:  2002
Country:  US
City:  Westfield, MA
Label:  Warner
Format:  CD, LP
Tracks:  12
Time:  38 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Metalcore













Lately, many releases follow a set formula and bands do a lot more than just wear their influences on their hoodies. Really, why bother listening to a CD case-full of bands that sound more similar than unique? For those looking to escape the monotony that so much punk has to offer, here is the Roadrunner Records debut by Killswitch Engage. Killswitch Engage formed only a couple years ago from the ashes of New England hardcore bands and immediatly made a local impact due their absolutely ferocious audio assult. Blending full-on hardcore with metal riffs and a vocalist who can go from screaming to singing instantaniously (Think Tim Williams from VOD, except with a much improved singing voice), Killswitch Engage's blend of music is a band to be reckoned with, and "Alive or Just Breathing" stands as a musical achievement. Not only does Killswitch Engage not emulate other bands in a carbon-copy fashion, each song stands out as a seprate offering instead of one song played 12 times. The second track, "Self Revoltion" has every ingredient a Killswitch Engage song is seasoned with; precise, powerful drumming, major shredding and killer guitar riffs, screaming verses and a beautiflly sung chorus break. The single off of the disc, "My Last Serenade," eases in with gentle acoustic strum (a la Metallica's "Battery") before blasting off into riffs that dare you to sit still (The video just got added to some MTV rock show as well as Much Music...look for it.). Although an extremely heavy band, Killswitch's lyrics avoid typical tough lyrics and opt for more thoughtful and positive words to accompany their music. Take "Vide Infra," one of the two re-recorded songs from their debut disc ("Temple From the Within" being the other), when it says, "I will stand up for who I am, never moved by condemnation, no one is placed higher than another, no matter race or creed or gender, we must teach compassion for all life, through understanding of our differences, we wil find respect for one another...". The production on this CD is stellar and forces the music clear out of your speakers, destroying all in it's path. There is no bad news when it comes to this disc. Unfortunately, there is some bad news with the band. Vocalist Jesse Leach quit very recently. He has been replaced but his gifted voice will be missed (*Review by Kevtv ).
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"the end of heartache"
Year:  2005
Label:  Warner
Format:  CD, LP
Tracks:  12
Time:  40 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Metalcore







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"atonement"
Year:  2019
Label:  Metal Blade
Format:  CD, LP
Tracks:  11
Time:  40 min.
Genre:  rock
Style:        Metalcore








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