Barnburner - Demo Summer 2005
-- Thursday, July 28, 2005
Here's something all bands should know about me. I can give the most attention to a bands demo, cd, whatever when I drive to work in the morning. That is the best time for me. My mind is not distracted by work, house stuff or anything. It's just empty, and my 48 mile drive to work leave me tons of time to listen to music. So if you plan on sending me music, make sure it is something I can listen to in my car. This brings me to the Barnburner demo.
I get in my car this morning, mind a blank slate. I pop in this cd all the way from Nashville TN. It pops back out, "CD Error." Ok, not a problem. I'll just listen to Howard Stern instead. Holy shit, what about how pissed Artie was yesterday? Damn. Someone sleeps with your sister, brags about it on a nationally broadcast radio program, I can get it. But damn, he was livid.
I get into work this morning, after a gym stint, and my mind is already beginning to think about my work day. I stop all of that, and throw in the Barnburner demo. My CD drive makes some noises I have never heard before, like loud monching. No luck. I pull the CD out and it appears that there is nothing burned on it. Yeap, a completely blank cd. That sucks. Some dude spent his hard earned money to send me a blank cd. Sorry dude.
If MySpace wasn't being a bitch this morning, I could listen to the demo tracks there. However, there appears to be a lot of site maintenance going on right now. Sigh.
So sorry, Barnburner. I gave it my all. My all just wasn't good enough, I guess.
The demo cover is a little odd, though. Bad Brains font, Bad Brains rip off logo. However, I have no idea what building is being hit by lightning. Is it a TN thing?
Think First - Demo 2005
-- Saturday, July 23, 2005
Once upon a time, my mom told me, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Well, I'm going to follow this principle when reviewing this demo. First, this demo was recorded in a garage, DIY baby. Second, it seems like every kid in this band is 14 and picked up their instrument just two weeks ago for the first time. That takes a hella lot of courage. I'm glad that they have compassion and heart. That's awesome. I love the spirit. It's also nice to see bands talking about veganism in a positive light again.
We'll see where this band goes. Could be a fun ride. If you want to hear more, contact the band. Sweet.
If It Kills - S/T - Ghost Town Records - 2005
Hailing from southern California, somewhere near LA, I would guess, these boys come with the some hard, hardcore. Metal influenced and plenty of in your face aggression. Not really sure what they were thinking with the insert. Sure, it looks hella metal, but it's nearly impossible to read. This could be due to a perceived color blindness on my part, though. I don't think I'm colorblind, but that is what people tell me.
I took a moment to check out this website which contains color blind tests. Check the following image.
According to he site, most people should see a 5. People with a certain level of color blind will see a 2 instead. I think I see a 5, but after reading about the 2, all I can see is a light pink 2. Boo. And worst of all, every now and then, I see a 3. What the hell?
You know what? I also sucked at those magic eye games. I could never see those things. Lame.
What the hell? That means nothing to me. I see nothing in that. No matter how I defocus my eyes, squint or get teary. Even lamer.
If you don't care about magic eye, or color blindness, you can check out more info on the band at the If It Kills website.
Warpath - Born Ta Fight - Action Man Records 001 - 2005
It seems a ton of bands these days are getting back in to late 80's revival. Playing old school, hardcore. Along the veins of Bold and Youth Of Today. Well, not Warpath. Their revival only goes back 8-10 years. Instead of playing late 80's old school, hardcore, they are going for mid to late 90s CT mosh core. This band could easily play shows wedged in between Death Threat, Hatebreed and Blood for Blood. Which seems odd when I glance at the picture. They look like your average late teens, hardcore kid. Skinny, funky hair and tattoos. Hell, they even have a strong sxe presence just with their names: XCAPTAINX and Simon Edge.
I'd love to get more info on the band, but it appears their website is down. I leave it up to you and the record label to come up with more info. Good luck with finding more info, because the CD sleeve is full of erroneous URLs.
Lahar - Provide And Conquer - Spook City Records 019 - 2005
In my last review, I was lamenting the lack of short, and succinct names. Well, these guys must have got my message. L-A-H-A-R, 5 letters. Now that is short and succinct. According to Wikipedia, Lahar is javanese for Lava. You learn something new everyday, right?
Now, don't confuse these with the doom band from Groningen, the Netherlands, Lahar. This hardcore act hails from the northwest states. And they are no where near doom metal. They are metal, but more on the HARD end of metal. Fast riffs, angry lyrics and in your face percussion blasts. Lots of metal here, folks. It doesn't hurt that everyone in the band looks like they could crush me.
Check out the Lahar website. I wouldn't suggest using Firefox to view it though. Somewhere in the HTML code, someone added a giant upper margin. This requires mucho dragging down to view the actual source material. Weird.
Nerve Gas Tragedy - Written In The Blood of the Dead - Spook City Records 020 - 2005
Ok, where do bands come up with names like this? Nerve Gas Tragedy? What ever happened to names like Bold, or Youth of Today? Hell, I'd even be psyched on Celtic Frost or Iced Earth.
This album is metal. Maybe that would explain the lack of a short, succinct name. Lots of metal. And oddly enough, they are from Wappingers Falls, NY. Now, I know that town doesn't mean a lot to most people. But that town will always have a fond spot place in my heart. One day, I spent way too many hours driving from Acton, MA to Wappingers Falls in order to pick up my baby.
A 2003 VW 20th Anniversary GTI. Hmm, I'm in love.
So, from one fan of Wappingers Falls to another, check the band out here. Some mp3s and a list of shows. Stay informed.
Choose Your Weapon - Heart For The Heartless - Spook City 022 - 2005
When I get a Spook City Records package in the mail, I get myself psyched up for hours of hard mosh metal. Surprise, surprise, this record doesn't fit that mold. Sure, it's still a lot of mosh, but in reality, it's more metal than mosh. Think along the lines of Unearth and Converge but more metal than hardcore. Plenty of double kick bass, harmonious guitar riffs with a crew chant or two thrown in.
The thank list is not something you see a lot in hardcore EPs. These guys give props to a wife, a son, Jesus Christ, Colin Of Arabia and Bridge 9 Records. A very eclectic mix. Hell, even Sepultura gets props. Sure, this is a long list of bands and labels (some mentioned above) but it's nice to see people giving love to their loved ones.
Check out their site, and download an mp3 or two at the Choose Your Weapon official site.
Fight Night - Our End Is Near - Spook City Records 021
I think the last time I reviewed these dudes, I said they sounded like they were from New Jersey. Yeah, I was wrong. They are from CT. Actually, I suppose that should be evident to me. In the lines of Hatebreed, Drowning Room, Death Threat (RIP), every CT mosh band. I can't really hang. It gets worse for me though. One of the songs is an anthem about how much they hate some person and wish they would slash their wrists. If it's one thing I hate, it's needless glorification of suicide. I don't want a whole crowd of 16 year old mosh kids singing that shit. That's just unnecessary. Eh.
If that is your cup of tea, check out the Fight Night site. They are doing a lot of touring this summer. Plenty of opportunity for kids across America to mosh and sing about suicide. Get psyched.
Betrayed - Addiction EP - Bridge 9 Records 064 - 2005
-- Wednesday, July 13, 2005
A few weeks back, P. Lynch was raving about this band called Betrayed. I had never heard of them. He then tells me that it is "that Todd Jones / Aram" side project band. I recalled Todd telling me about this, but I didn't know it had got off the ground. A few minutes later, I was talking to Todd Jones who immediately hooked me up with their new EP, Addiction.
It was then that I realized that Todd Jones knows his shit. To top it off, this band also features Greg Bacon (Carry On, Stand And Fight, Knife Fight, ...), Todd Preboski (of Champion) on drums and Aram (also of Champion) doing vocal duties. 6 songs of hard hitting, straight edge anthems. This band is a great blend of melody with strong core sounds. Here's where I point at a strong Chorus of Disapproval influence. So good.
Oddly enough, I once talked to Todd Jones about straight edge bands, and he told me, that he would never do one again. Oh how little did he know. Getting involved in a band where Aram is singing? C'mon, that just screams "straight edge project." And this side project came off on top.
If you are interested in seeing more of this band, they are slated to play Hellfest 2005 and Posi Numbers 2005. I would suggest you all buy this album from b9 on vinyl.
Also, "borrowed without asking" from Toni The Prude, here's a pic:
Lights Out - Overload - Youngblood 20
-- Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Lights Out hails from the sunny shores of The Bay. In between Alcatraz and the Raider Nation, 5 dudes got together to form a great band. Their previous work was well received by the masses and their summer 2004 tour got people frothing at the mouths. The people couldn't wait for another release. Step in Youngblood Records and 2005's release of Overload.
This album is what the people have been clamoring for. A mix of spastic Slapshot, coked out mid 80s NYHC and pure teenage angst. With a combination like that, you cannot fail. You can count on the fact that one or two of these songs is about Ryan DM (Pass You By for instance). Overall, lots of emotion here. And every song is about "you." Not sure who "you" is (haha), but each track has a "you vs. me" vibe. No ground breaking lyrics, but still top notch in that vein.
The cover art is pretty cool. Drawn up by a relative newcomer Andre Bouzikov to the hardcore inking world. However, he has got a past in illustration and you may have seen him playing the bass for a Bay area band called Deadfall. I wish bands and artists would move away from Zombies and shit. Can't we have some live photos as covers again?
Funny, all the pictures in the insert are taken from Posi Numbers 2004. A little weird. That show was huge for all bands, but they must have had other, crazier shows in SF. Wouldn't you think? Maybe SF photographers are sleeping on this band. BAD move. Wake up, fools.
[Editor's Note]: I got an email from Connor of Lights Out just today. He told me that none of the songs are about Ryan DM. I guess I was just reading too much into the lyrics about a situation, you know. In fact, he continues to say in reference to the "me vs. you" vibe, "[you] is the world, people who fail to recognize their potenial, fools who blindly follow whatever is fed to them, and sometimes that 'you' is actually me and all the shit I see wrong with myself." You have to appreciate that. Thanks Connor.
Carry On - It's All Our Blood - Youngblood 5
Ok, here's a great re release. Coinciding with Carry On's final show comes the stellar re-release of The Line is Drawn and Roll With the Punches EPs. Now you may be saying to yourself, "Wait, didn't Youngblood Records re release these two EPs a few years back?" Well, yes and no.
A few years back, maybe two, Sean put together the two EPs, got some artwork and pushed it out the door. This time around, it seems like a lot of time and effort was put into the minutia of the process. This go around, the artwork is much cleaner, much crisper. According to Sean, "this is how the artwork was originally intended" to look like. And it comes with metallic foil. That's a classy touch.
Ok, great, new artwork. You're probably still thinking, "I'm just going to illegally download this anyway, what do I care about artwork?" First, support Sean. Send the measly $12 his way for the ppd cd. You'll then be able to see and hear the quality of the work. Plus with this CD release, all the tracks were remastered at West West Side studios giving it a great overall sound. Fear not, this isn't a REV / YOT or COS job, this is top notch work. It doesn't detract from the sound, rather it enhances it.
Finally, this CD also includes the track from the Memories of Tomorrow comp and the original Rap on the Line is Drawn EP. I know you were missing that rap on the first cd release. It just wasn't the same without it. This time it was intentionally not edited out.
So there you have it. You already know this album contains modern classics. The music is amazing. This you already know. Now, go out and buy this cd and listen to the tracks like you have never heard them before. Word.
Lion of Judah - Soul Power - Lockin Out Records 018 - 2005
-- Thursday, July 07, 2005
Wow, all I can say is wow. Here's the picture from the cover, just so can get an instant mind burn.
Wow, need I say more? Well, of course I do. What kind of review would this be if I didn't?
As you may well know, LOJ comes from the DC area. A little VA, a little MD, but their soul lies in DC. And as many DC bands before them, LOJ has a very strong political stance. Choosing to shun both republicans and democrats, LOJ take a super liberal view on life, which is fine by me. In the day and age of "straight edge, stabbed in the back" lyrics, anything outside the box resonates greatly with me.
As for the music, most people agree with a Burn/Swiz sound. If my band was mentioned in the same sentence as those bands, I would be psyched. But LOJ is still a little different than both. In fact, when the band plays shows, most kids stare dumbfounded. They aren't sure whether they should mosh or stage dive, or just sit on the floor to enjoy the spectacle. I'd suggest stage diving, personally.
Make sure to pick up a copy today at Revelation Records. They had some vinyl on tour, but that quickly sold out. For more information on L.O.J. visit their home page.
Justice - Elephant Skin - Lockin Out Records 017 - 2005
For the last couple of years, a strong breeze has been carrying word of a band called Justice across the Atlantic. During the summer of 2004, the band toured America with a few big acts (Mental, Lights Out, Desperate Measures, ...). It was a huge success. Somewhere along that trip, they fell into the Lockin Out camp. And with good reason. They just fit.
Now, Elephant Skin. Holy shit. This album is good. I don't care if you have a "euro hardcore band" stigma. This album is genuinely good. It's a great blend of Age Of Quarrel, Rock For Light and New York Crew. If you can't hang with that, you better invest in either of the following: a or b.
So, quit being a lazy sack and pick this album up now. I bet even Brett Beach can get into this one.
Order the album today over at Revelation Records. And if these boys happen to come to your hometown, you'd be stupid not to check them out.
Justice cover art by Spoiler.
Mental - Planet Mental LP - Lockin Out Records 016 - 2005
So many things to say about this album/band, so little space on the internet. If you don't know anything about Mental or the album Planet Mental, you must have been living on Planet Mental for the last 5 years. Seriously, this album produced an insane amount of hype. Mostly centered around the record release show. For months, people have been discussing everything related to the release from what to wear to what to bring. This event was either going to be a huge landmark event or a complete bust. Luckily, thanks to the album's strong backing and the hype, it was a huge success. As is the album, Planet Mental.
Lately, I've been reading a ton reviews lately. Some people point towards a Quicksand influence. I'd say it was more a Walter influence, though. Whether it was Quicksand, GB, Rival Schools, ... well, I'll leave that up to your imagination. Still others are pointing at close resemblances to the Bad Brains and The Cro Mags. I don't see that so much (check my Justice LP review for a better comparison).
Regardless, this album is a mature two steps forward for Mental. In a sense, that is good and bad. Some of my favorite Mental tracks look stupidly immature from the cover, "Idiotic," "Sike," and tons more. These anthems were pissed off, and fueled countless kids to lose their shit. Greg's enthusiasm for the songs was unbounded. Fast forward to Planet Mental, and you lose a little of that wild abandonment. Greg is still ferocious, but without the juvenile angst. Everybody else (Dookie, Scace and DFJ) fill it all in with hard hitting sounds that are very much a positive step forward.
All in all, this album is over the top great. It hasn't grown on me as my favorite Mental release yet, but given time, I think it will take that spot. Go out and buy this LP immediately. Support the band and enjoy the live show.
For more information on Mental, please check the Lockin Out site. To order the LP, get on the Revelation Records distro site.
Check out the zany cover art too (by Jeremy of Daughters).
Archived Reviews
Ok, here's the old link to the archived reviews. Have at em. Archived Reviews.
Time for some change
Ok, it's time for a little change. My review format was getting old, and I figured, if I allowed for comments, it'd be more useful to people. After all, I have a huge bias. So, have at it.
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