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Aesop Rock

Skelethon
Rhymesayers (2012)

The big complaint since Aesop Rock’s breakthrough, Labor Days, seems to be that he hasn’t had the memorable singles. At this point, it should be clear that Aesop Rock writes albums, not hits. Skelethon is his sixth release, and first with powerhouse label Rhymesayers Entertainment. While None Shall Pass (2007) had its moments, I’ve long felt Aesop Rock’s best work … Read more

Mission Of Burma

Unsound
Fire (2012)

In the early eighties when the Boston post-punk band Mission of Burma announced their decision to stop playing and recording due to guitarist Roger Millers tinnitus issues it seemed like the end of an era. The band enjoyed notoriety, not on the charts, but among music lovers/fans in general who were in love with the pure ferocity, quirky melodies, and … Read more

Elway

Hence My Optimism
Red Scare Industries (2012)

Following a name change from the audibly slick 10-4 Eleanor and absurd legal debacles with John Elway of the Denver Broncos comes the follow-up EP from the Colorado 4-piece’s Red Scare debut. Hence My Optimism shows little progression from Elway’s previous efforts but proves there’s little merit in fixing what isn’t broken. Packing enough energy and rambunctious attitude to rival … Read more

200 Words Or Less

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

New Bruises

Chock Full of Misery
Kiss of Death (2012)

Chock Full of Misery as a title sets a bleak tone for a group best labeled as pop-punk. Yet, New Bruises don’t let the downer subject matter override their energetic and singalong anthems. In song titles past and present, the group has namedropped both Kurt Vonnegut and Johnny Cash—and both are apt examples for New Bruises common tone of frustration, … Read more

Absolace

Fractals
Spellbind (2012)

Emirati band Absolace certainly know their stuff. After releasing their debut Resolve[d] in 2010, they easily paved their way for a followup. That album just so happens to be 2012's Fractals. How does their new album hold up? Unfortunately, not as well as you'd hope.The main issues stem from vocalist Nadim Jamal--it just doesn't sound like he's trying that hard … Read more

Ephel Duath

On Death And Cosmos
Agonia (2012)

Releasing new material for the first time since 2009, Italian avant-garde/progressive/jazz/black metal group Ephel Duath cast aside their woes and channel their frustrations into On Death and Cosmos. Having been incredibly prolific before the sudden enforced hiatus after 2009s Through My Dog’s Eyes, Ephel Duath return with a refreshed group of musicians, a three track EP and a new outlook. … Read more

Teenage Bottlerocket

Freak Out!
Fat Wreck Chords (2012)

I’ve been hearing about the new wave of pop-punk for a while—how bands like Menzingers and Teenage Bottlerocket are reshaping the genre, building off predecessors like The Ramones, Screeching Weasel, The Queers, etc. while bringing something new to the table. It’s personally taken me a while to get around to checking them out myself, but with the release of Freak … Read more

Terror

No Regrets, No Shame: The Bridge Nine Days
Bridge Nine (2012)

Terror is a band that needs no introduction. Hardcore legends in their current age, Terror hails from Los Angeles, California and has brought a more metallic sounding hardcore into the foreground of the scene. This is a live CD/DVD of a show in 2003 at the Showcase Theater in Corona, California and the entire thing is interconnected with interview clips … Read more

Gaza

No Absolutes In Human Suffering
Black Market Activities (2012)

Continuing where 2009s He Is Never Coming Back left off, Gaza move forward as a band whilst remaining true to their core values as a dangerous and destructive entity. No Absolutes in Human Suffering is a monumental and much matured work, with Gaza finding their space as a group with something important to say whilst focusing their aggression in a … Read more

Reks

Rebelutionary
Gracie Procuctions/MIM Entertainment (2012)

Taking Reks’ past few years of productivity into account—dating back to 2008’s applauded Grey Hairs and last year’s R.E.K.S, a record that earned him a “Best Album of the Year” award in his hometown of Boston—it is clear the revered underground emcee is not one to idle by in tranquility for too long. Even with accolades for his Statik Selektah … Read more

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

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