Bad Mask
Strange Phrases
Independent (2011)
Bad Mask are a fairly new band hailing from New Jersey. The band deals in semi technical Metal. While not being as technical as some bands they tend to carry the torch of early Dillinger Escape Plan. Meaning that they go through more than a few time changes within their songs. There is a heavy focus on dissonant riffing and … Read more
Bad Reaction
Had it Coming
Reflections (2008)
Had it Coming is my first exposure to Los Angeles' Bad Reaction, but apparently this recording is a CD version of their previously released 7"s Dare to be Dull and Plastic World, plus a choice cover. Bad Reaction play fast punk influenced hardcore. All but one of the songs here end up under two minutes. As expected, that means the … Read more
Bad Seed
Bad Seed
6131 (2009)
Members of Title Fight do a hardcore band, neat. The four songs on this platter remind me of early Merauder crossed with Cold World for a knockdown drag out testosterone fueled mosh fest. The songs themselves aren't bad as who ever writes the riffs is either brilliant or just knows what songs to rip off. If you enjoy NYHC played … Read more
Badmouth
Strikes Again
Ghosthunt (2007)
Badmouth is the latest in the seemingly never-ending line of pissed off hardcore bands from Southern California. Strikes Again is their debut effort, which is actually their demo but in refurbished form via Ghosthunt Records. Over the course of these nine songs, Badmouth deliver fast-paced hardcore-punk with serious guitar whaling and bitter as hell lyrics. Musically, they remind me quite … Read more
Balance and Composure
Acoustic
No Sleep (2012)
From Doylestown, PA, Balance and Composure has created a lot of buzz in the past few years for their melodic and emotional contributions to the ever-changing underground scene. They’ve released two EPs, a split with Tiger’s Jaw, and a full-length called Separation, all on No Sleep Records. Again teaming up with No Sleep, we have an acoustic 7-inch in which … Read more
Balcanes
Carne Nueva EP
Humo (2016)
Spain’s Balcanes tread a glorious path through noisy rock with a sound that is as filthy as it is consuming. Although minimally done, Balcanes still force through masses of power by using painful feedback and deep, rumbling bass to create strong textures in their work. Carne Nueva is only a taste of what the band are capable of and on this EP … Read more
Bane
Dublin 11:58 PM
Hurry Up! (2009)
Bane are currently not on Equal Vision Records so they decided to release a crop of 7"s on different labels throughout the world, each one with a different photo. The title comes from when the photo was taken. It is a cool undertaking if you ask me. Not like you would ask me. Anyhow, we have the Dublin 11:58 PM … Read more
Bankrupt
Rocket to Riot City
Piar (2009)
Wow. I am sick to death of reviewing bands from across the pond. This time it's Hungry. One of my favorite uh adult actresses of all time was from Budapest. Michelle Wild...yeah...she was a dirty girl. I guess she got married and found God or something. Oh well. ANYHOW, Bankrupt are a very typical punk rock band that I had … Read more
Barbara
Peger
Heart & Crossbone (2007)
"Peger" is transliterated Hebrew for "corpse" or "carcass," so you know what you're getting into here. But Barbara, a bass/drum duo, compares themselves to everybody from Lightning Bolt to Today is the Day, and I'll confess that the idea of an Israeli Today is the Day had me curious. Peger is a bizarre record, alternating between blizzards of distortion and … Read more
Barcelona
Extremo Nihilismo En Barcelona
La Vida Es Un Mus Discos Punk (2015)
Similar to how Sorry State, Vinyl Rites, Lengua Armada, or Katorga Works do here in the US, Hackney, London-based record label La Vida Es Un Mus (subtitled Discos Punk) tend to work with bands that challenge the constraints of traditional hardcore and punk, which in turn sets them apart from the masses. The latest in a long line that includes … Read more
Basalt Fingers
Basalt Fingers
Three Lobed (2007)
This album definitely puts the "post" back in post-rock. The album consists of only two tracks, each clocking in over twenty minutes. The result is a pretty minimal endeavor, with lots of feedback and ominous sound effects. Obviously, bands like Godspeed! You Black Emperor immediately come to mind, but even that band has more structure than Basalt Fingers. Throughout the … Read more
Bayonet
Self Titled
Mightier Than Sword (2011)
Bayonet is a Jersey super group or sorts. taking members from such bands as Senses Fail, The Banner among others. In any situation like this it is hard to tell if the project is really a band in itself or merely something spat out for fun. One can hardly assume what this will sound like as each members prior (or … Read more
Bazooka
Self Titled
Slovenly (2013)
Bazooka hail from Greece and their tumultuous current situation has left its mark on the sound of this band. Lo-fi, double drumming, weirdo psych-outs – it all adds up to an assured debut that buzzes with early 90s garage vibes and 70s punk as well as a nice line in indie melody. “Ravening Trip” sounds like it could have come … Read more
Beartrap
Fueled by Self-Hate
Double or Nothing (2009)
This release blazes through the listener at a ridiculously fast clip. Eight tracks of fast punk styled thrash madness. The label compares them to Trash Talk and Black Flag; I can't really disagree. I could see some craziness going down to this. They leave the experimentation to the last song which truly sets it apart almost seemingly written for a … Read more
Beep Beep
Enchanted Islands
Saddle Creek (2009)
Taking a five year hiatus between albums, Beep Beep released Enchanted Islands, the follow up to 2004's Business Casual, earlier this year. Given the current pace of the music industry, and a slight change from the original lineup, Enchanted Island has a feel closer to a debut album rather than a sophomore effort. The band freely plays with esoteric tempos, … Read more
Big D and the Kids Table
Fluent In Stroll
Side One Dummy (2009)
I have to admit that normally I am not a big horns fan. It really has to take the song to another level for it to do anything for me. Unfortunately there is no evidence of that happening on this release. The back-up singers add a bit of texture here and there, but that doesn't help too much when the … Read more
Billy Club Sandwich
The Usual Suspects
Dead City/Rucktion (2009)
Besides some brilliant use of Photoshop to interpose the band members of Billy Club Sandwich in some memorable movies of the past 20 years there is really nothing else redeemable about The Usual Suspects. I never thought I heard a band that'd have worse cave man vocals than 25 ta Life but Billy Club Sandwich takes barking and grunting typical … Read more
Birushanah
Akai Yami
Level Plane (2008)
Three songs, forty minutes. Akai Yami was my first introduction to Japan's Birushanah. The band uses two metal percussionists as well as a drummer, a fretless bassist and guitarist. "Jyodo" is a calm and intriguing opener that features traditional Japanese percussion. However, this doesn't last long, and the twenty-minute track, "Akai Yami," begins. Vocals vary greatly during this song. Long-held … Read more
