Top 10 7"s
If you read my list of the Top 25 albums, then you saw that none of them were EP's. There is a reason; I decided that 7"s needed their own special shout out for 2007 as there was a lot of great 45's that hit the bins this year.
Snake Eyes - Snake Eyes (1917)
I literally had to stop typing up this short review to go mosh around my apartment again. Snake Eyes is heavy, pissed off hardcore that is meant to be thrashed around too. I wish Snake Eyes were a full-time band and played the Midwest so I could kill people in the pit.
I Rise/Soul Control - Split (Eightfold Path)
Splits are usually the bane of my existence, but this one is a keeper. Two up and coming post hardcore bands duke it out on this slab of wax. Soul Control reminds of the first Quicksand 7" and I Rise blend the best part of almost every 90's hardcore great into something new and fresh.
Internal Affairs - Deadly Visions (Malfunction)
Internal Affairs is one of my favorite West Coast bands going. They're so pissed, so angry, and still edge ? this equals eight tracks of moshy goodness. Fuck yeah!
Sinking Ships - Ten (Revelation)
There is a Seaweed cover on here; you should own this 7" for that reason alone. Nevertheless, you also get three other melodic hardcore songs that finally shun the Champion Jr. label and Sinking Ships start sounding like Sinking Ships.
Soul Control - Soul Control (Rivalry)
See above. Awesome post-hardcore.
I Rise - Down (1917)
Also see above. More awesome 90's post-hardcore.
Ambitions - Exile (Bridge Nine)
This band has progressed from a side-project into a full-time melodic hardcore machine. Exile showcases some new tricks into the formula that helps Ambitions step above the herd.
Red Handed - Red Handed (Rivalry)
Red Handed write snotty fast hardcore with songs about skateboarding. I still have a blast every time I put the needle onto this record.
Blacklisted - Peace on Earth, War on Stage (Deathwish Inc.)
Peace on Earth, War on Stage is the long anticipated follow-up to my favorite record of 2006. Blacklisted does not disappoint with their tough as nails heavy hardcore, only this time with some *gasp* singing. Blacklisted's next album may be a new hardcore classic.
Terror - Rhythm Amongst the Chaos (Reaper)
Say what you want about Terror. You can talk about how the flat brim hardcore kids love this band. You can scoff at Terror for being on Trustkill. However, the fact of the matter is that Terror is still great and still putting out records that make you want to level a skyscraper.
(Jason)