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Fang Island

Major
Sargent House (2012)

Two years since the release of their eccentric eponymous debut, Fang Island return with Major, the band’s second album on LA record label, Sargent House. It’s quite evident that their self-proclaimed pursuit to “make music for people who like music” ensues. Picking up right where Fang Island left off, Major is an epidemical power rock album, affluent in frenzied, fuzzed-out … Read more

Elizabeth

Where Vultures Land
Throatruiner (2012)

Throatruiner Records have steadily increased their presence in the world of black/hardcore/completely mad music of late, and this little French label continually put out some of the most exciting and interesting sounds out there. The Phantom Carriage, Love Sex Machine, Clinging To The Trees Of A Forest Fire....each hold massive sound and that little something extra that gives Throatruiner that … Read more

Titan

Burn
Hypaethral (2012)

Burn, the debut full-length from Toronto, Ontario’s Titan, wastes no time in establishing itself as the devastatingly heavy powerhouse that it is. Thunderous drums and relentless guitars introduce the bleak, crushing atmosphere that stands through the entirety of the record on the almost 8-minute long “Feast,” with the chillingly powerful vocals kicking in soon after. With 10 songs spanning almost … Read more

Xibalba

Hasta La Muerte
Southern Lord (2012)

It would be impossible to have missed the mark Xibalba have left on the hardcore scene thus far. The band has toured incessantly and released a small handfull of recordings in the past few years. A389 took notice last year and released a discography LP and shortly after Southern Lord took notice and staked a claim upon the band's follow … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Adam Widener

Cola Kids Hanging Out in the Bubble Dome
Big Action (2012)

There are a few red flags that make me avoid records or, if you will, to judge a book by its cover. First, solo records in a punk or garage world. While the last few years have wiped this misconception away in many respects, I’m still hesitant when I don’t know the name coming in. Second, a record with a … Read more

krokmitën

BWV565 Redux
Independent (2012)

After releasing their debut alpha-beta last year, a single 45-minute track and accompanying video of unadulterated technical death metal ferocity, Montréalers krokmitën decided that the only way they could one-up themselves would be to do something completely different. The result is the only slightly more modest 10-minute EP, BWV565 Redux.The EP consists (again) of exactly one track, the band's take … Read more

Arjen Anthony Lucassen

Lost in the New Real
Inside Out (2012)

Few musicians are quite as busy as the Dutch composer and multi-instrumentalist Arjen Anthony Lucassen. Though he's known principally for being the brain behind the immense collaborative project Ayreon, Lucassen has headed no less than four other bands, including progressive metal band Guilt Machine, ambient metal band Ambeon, space rock band Star One and the gothic/symphonic metal band Stream of … Read more

Mårran

Mårran
S-Rock (2012)

Mårran are a traditional rock band out of Sweden, playing only the most barebones, no-frills hard rock possible. They take their name from the Groke, a Swedish character from the Moomins, who is a ghostly figure constantly in search of warmth and light, and yet able to achieve neither due to her innate coldness, freezing all that comes into contact … Read more

Flobots

The Circle In The Square
Shanachie Entertainment (2012)

“A community is democratic only when the humblest and weakest person can enjoy the highest civil, economic, and social rights that the biggest and most powerful possess.” – A. Philip Randolph“No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.” - Gil Scott-HeronA strong foundation was laid with Flobots’ debut album Fight With Tools, and continued on with sophomore effort … Read more

Luther

Siblings & Sevens
Black Numbers (2011)

I remember seeing Luther a few months back at a small venue in Pittsburgh where The Menzingers were headlining. I was really stoked to finally see them live and not all that surprised that half the crowd was outside smoking when they played first. Seeing them live left me with almost the exact impression their EP Siblings and Sevens left … Read more

Oathbreaker

Maelstrom
Deathwish Inc. (2012)

Oathbreaker are a Belgian hardcore (for lack of a better expletive) band with a tendency towards fast-paced metal riffs and an evil, crusty tone. This is their first release for Deathwish Inc. and a fairly solid debut that I’m sure will turn at least a few heads and gain them a few fans. The vocals are the standout performance of … Read more

Burning Love

Rotten Thing To Say
Southern Lord (2012)

Leave it to Burning Love to provide an infectiously raucous soundtrack to 2012 (unlike so many of their peers and compatriots) full of the kind of riffs that in a perfect world would incite both vigorous head banging and the kind of massive circle pits that make people gape in awe at the sheer size of said circle pitting, and … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Souvenirs

Tired Of Defending You
6131 (2012)

When I first heard that Souvenirs was signed to 6131 I was expecting another straight-up generic hardcore band. However, upon listening to their first release from last year, Sadder Days, I was pleasantly surprised to find a pop-punk/emo crossover band: one taking the lyrical writing style of ‘90s emo bands and the upbeat feel of pop-punk. This was right up … Read more

Cloudkicker

Fade
Independent (2012)

If there's any one artist who should make you happy to listen to music, it's Ben Sharp, aka Cloudkicker. Though releasing free music on the Internet isn't anything new, it's safe to say that, in terms of quality, Sharp's in a class all his own. He also voluntarily remains unsigned from a label, ensuring that his music will continue to … Read more

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