Amateur Party
Truncheons in the Manor
Rorshach (2011)
There are a lot of names that could be dropped when talking about Amateur Party—in fact, I did so when I reviewed their EP back in 2009. However, the band really stands as a completely different kind of monster than the members’ other work. As such, I’ll delay the biographies until later. Truncheons in the Manor is their first full … Read more
Amebix
Sonic Mass
EasyAction (2011)
Amebix have been away for twenty years plus, and if you're expecting Arise or Monolith v2.0 then look away now. Because Sonic Mass is so much more than those classic records, and all the better for the band's time spent away from the music scene. In a recent interview we did with vocalist Rob "The Baron" Miller, he explained how … Read more
Ampere
Like Shadows
No Idea Records (2011)
Ampere is an emotional hardcore band out of Amherst, Massachusetts known for incredibly chaotic live shows done in short bursts, sometimes lasting less than 15 minutes. A DIY ethos and vegan politics course through the veins of this bands’ lyrics and image. Arriving shortly after the “Level Plane” era of bands like Saetia andNeil Perry, Ampere continued the path tread by those … Read more
ANATOMI-71
Från Primat till Reptil
Power It Up (2011)
Swedish purveyors of crust Anatomi-71 return with their latest injection into the overly congested genre that is D-beat—Från Primat till Reptil. This is a heavy slab of melting Scandi-core, both literally and figuratively. The vinyl—housed in an impressive double gatefold jacket, courtesy of Power It Up Records—is thick, rigid and weighty. Those are a few commendable properties, no doubt. However, … Read more
Ancient Shores
Step To The Edge
A389 (2011)
This may not come as a shock to anyone, but West Virginia isn’t exactly the breeding ground for heavy music. Anyone that has crossed into the state’s border would know that it’s the estranged son of the south. However, sometimes a shock will come in the form of a band emerging from the most unexpected of places and ripping your … Read more
Ancient Wisdom
A Godlike Inferno
Shine Box (2011)
Evil can come in many forms. Everyone can explain the evil in any number of things man can perceive. More rare than that is a true embodiment of evil within a musical context. Many times this gets narrowed to various types of metal. While bands like Slayer seem evil on the outside a look below the surface makes it clear … Read more
Andrew Jackson Jihad
Knife Man
Asian Man (2011)
Andrew Jackson Jihad runs the folk-punk gamut—they’ve put out a split with Ghost Mice, play The Fest more or less annually, and they’re a two-piece mostly acoustic band comprised of Sean Bonnette (guitar) and Ben Gallaty (bass). Now that I’ve lumped them in with a number of other acts, it’s time for the separation.The Phoenix band is distinct in their … Read more
Anne
Dream Punx
A389 (2011)
In a genre of little distinction, Anne’s Dream Punx delves deeper into their own capabilities than most would’ve thought possible. The melodies used and the intertwining riffs create a wall of sound that evoke a sense of nostalgia for when Slowdive was around without having the feeling of a cheap knock off. The most captivating thing about this album is … Read more
Annihilation Time
II (Reissue)
Tankcrimes (2011)
Annihilation Time are a band that has been around for awhile. They play a style of hardcore punk that takes much from old school rock and punk. This is all juiced up and played in a very rock and roll style. With no fucks to be given how anyone feels about it. The band had released this album originally in … Read more
Anthrax
Worship Music
Megaforce (2011)
The story of how Worship Music came to be is longish and a bit complicated—dating back to 2009 in what was essentially a three-way dance for the vocalist spot. Some of the original material was adjusted accordingly or, in most cases, scrapped all together and rewritten, resulting in what is ultimately the best case scenario for long-time Anthrax fans: the … Read more
Antonymes
The Licence To Interperet Dreams
Hidden Shoal (2011)
Antonymes is one Ian M. Hazeldine. The North Welsh based artist has in the last two years released more than a couple works of almost ambient music. I say almost since it has some characteristics of the ambient genre it also bases much of its work in the classical realm as well. The pieces have been everything from short singular … Read more
Arctic Monkeys
Suck It And See
Domino (2011)
Alex Turner has a captivating way of churning seemingly simple rock tunes into lyrically fueled fits of manic moods, lost lovers and “syncing hearts.” The 25-year-old front man of the British based quartet, Arctic Monkeys, is at the top of his songwriting game on this full-length album, Suck It and See. The Arctic Monkeys return with their witty blend of … Read more
As They Sleep
Dynasty
Solid State (2011)
This album starts with a quick drum blast jumping right into the sort of melodic death metal that was popular a couple years ago. Apparently As They Sleep is pretty consistent in their style. The band is part of the recent signings to Solid State Records and seems like a perfect fit. This is heavy spirit filled metal to put … Read more
Ash Borer
Ash Borer
Pesanta Urfolk (2011)
YES! So this is without a doubt one of the five black metal releases that I can point to as my answer to the question regarding what black metal records (modern era only as I refuse to get into the nascent progenitors here) I like most because in my black metal dabbling journey, this is one of the better examples … Read more
Atlas Sound
Parallax
4AD (2011)
Bradford Cox is in many ways like a ghost. There’s his whispery vocal style, like that of a specter, haunting and evanescent. And the glaring image of himself on the cover of his side project, Atlas Sound’s, second release, Logos. Or for instance his entire musical catalogue; a seamless spawn of translucent albums that are distinct, yet share vivid familiarity. … Read more
Atmosphere
The Family Sign
Rhymesayers (2011)
Atmosphere’s MC, Slug has made a career, literally, out of exploiting and exercising his own personal demons as well as of those around him. He has an uncanny knack for telling a deeply personal story—sometimes his, sometimes someone else’s—all while moving the crowd. In short, he’s the heart-on-his-sleeve guy who rocks the party. Though, as Slug gets older, there’s a … Read more
Attica! Attica!
Napalm & Nitrogen
Black Numbers (2011)
Before your red flag goes up, we are not talking about the "crab-core" group, Attack Attack. Don't worry; I was wary of the same thing. No, Attica! Attica! is the complete opposite. It's the moniker undertaken by De La Hoya and Marathon vocalist, Aaron Scott, for his solo folk-punk project. In September of 2009, he released his second full length, … Read more
August Burns Red
Leveler
Solid State (2011)
August Burns Red have become the face of American metal over the last few years with their unique brand of metalcore, but Leveler is poised to redefine the genre all together. Tactically bending genres with ease, they’ve crafted a truly ambitious album of unparalleled diversity and precision.Constellations, ABR’s last release, had shown a tremendous amount of growth with a more … Read more
