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Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

Mauser

End Of The Line
Vinyl Rites (2011)

While eventually churning out some less than desirable material late in their career, there is no arguing the impact early Discharge made in both the punk and metal scenes—going so far as to create their own sub-genre in the process. D-beat, as it is aptly titled, signifies thick, lumbering guitars matched with an intensely repetitive drum beat, and shouted vocals, usually void of any proper range—it all makes for an acutely ripping yet mind-numbing affair. D-beat is both the blight and the boon of extreme music. There are countless contemporary groups—often called “Dis bands” because they use the “Dis” prefix in their name—that do little for the genre other than offer obtuse Discharge imitations. But occasionally a band comes along, tendering a much-needed dose of adrenaline and spirit in all the right places. Mauser seems hell-bent on falling in with the latter. In terms of underground punk, there has been a noticeable trend lately towards a less-produced sound—a focus more on rawness and distortion, than on cleanliness. Such is the case with this Gainesville, FL four piece’s impressive new 7”. There is an obstinate noisiness present throughout End of the Line—blown-out, screaming vocals, guitars and bass dripping with reverb, and … Read more

Altar Of Plagues

Mammal
Profound Lore (2011)

Ireland's Altar of Plagues play a style of black metal so atmospheric in nature, that you can't help but be … Read more

Gangpol & Mit

The 1000 Softcore Tourist People Club
Ipecac (2011)

It’s a great thing when bands can mesh cartoon visuals with their music. It in turn enhances the listening experience, … 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 … Read more

Isis

Live.04
Independent (2011)

A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly … Read more

Integrity

Thee Destroy+orr
Holy Terror (2011)

Yes, please peel my face off with the punishing blackened hardcore (that only Integrity can provide), please because life might … Read more

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One from the archives

The Shaky Hands

Lunglight
Kill Rock Stars (2008)

It's raining today. No sun. Shaking angly tree branches. Impenetrable sky rising up out of the ground. Hourless glide from late morning to dusk. I've been in bed all afternoon, admitting how sick I've gotten over the last week. Fucking autumn: always makes me think of Portland. Portland used to be my girl. Well... Portland used to be the girl I wanted to be my girl. An indie rock princess, a Bob Dylan song, hair in the wind, tentative smile and the night coming. Rain jackets and the illimitable future. But that girl isn't all that great. Amend that: she is all that great, but far more trouble than she's worth. Also, she's not a fantasy - just, I was shocked to discover, a human being. It also turns out … Read more

More album reviews

The United Sons of Toil

Until Lions Have Their Historians, Tales of the Hunt Shall Always Glorify the Hunter
Flannel Jammies Music/Sector Five (2008)

 The United Sons of Toil probably won’t ever receive the distinguished honor of a 7.1 rating from Pitchfork, but anyone who has seen them live will tell you all you need to know. These guys are something to see. The ’Sons sound like a more aggressive Unwound, giving a sort of mathy post-punk vibe with some hints of chaos thanks … Read more

Deafheaven

Roads To Judah
Deathwish Inc. (2011)

When I initially read about San Francisco’s Deafheaven, I didn’t expect to be surprised by their recordings. Anytime I see the “black metal” label, even when citing a slight influence on a band, I instantly believe that the label is misused and have no interest in checking the band out. Unfortunately I am guilty of this with Deafheaven, and their … Read more

Death Cab For Cutie

Codes And Keys
Atlantic (2011)

With a prolific band like Bellingham, Washington’s Death Cab for Cutie, (Codes and Keys being their seventh studio album release), it’s impossible for fans not to speculate how their newest album is going to sound. “Maybe it’ll sound like Transcendentalism with some Postal Service influence!” “Maybe it’ll be like Narrow Stairs... but better!” “What The Open Door EP started, Codes … Read more

Isis

Live.03
Independent (2011)

A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly basis throughout the summer of 2011. The set of five albums unfortunately does not contain any new material, but for those of you who skipped acquiring them while the band was still active, some of these albums may satiate your … Read more

Pygmy Lush

Old Friends
Lovitt (2011)

Pygmylush have certainly put their time in their scene their ex members list is extensive and well documented. Knowledge of their past endeavors would do little to really prepare one for what you will get upon listening to their music. Know for playing a mix of thrashing punk and hardcore not dissimilar to some of their past bands coupled with … Read more

The Reptilian

Full Health
Count Your Lucky Stars (2010)

The Reptilian come with little to no notice. The Michigan band has been around for almost 4 years now with only a handful of releases. Taking a page from the older school of angular screamo similar to current bands such as Touche Amore and La Dispute. Focusing more on feeling than just sounding "nice". The four piece keep each song … 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

Amateur Party

Public Utility Complaint
Paramnesia (2009)

Man, what a nice looking record. The sleeve includes an actual photograph for the cover, with a dozen or so variations that you can get, and the liner notes come as a stapled booklet with information on a Pennsylvania law regarding when gas companies can turn off the heat. It’s a solid mix of handmade art and political statement. Add … Read more

Withdrawal

Faith, Flesh, And Blood
A389 (2011)

Withdrawal is possibly carrying metallic hardcore standards for all of Canada. As it becomes harder to note a truly interesting band of this style in general let alone from their corner of the world. The band managed to turn heads a couple years ago with their last EP Unknown Misery even managing to get rave reviews from this site. In … Read more

The Dwarves

Born Again
Greedy (2011)

Back in the pre-internet era I came across a blurb in some metal magazine I read in my adolescent years—I’m guessing it was Rip. In that blurb it mentioned a “real punk” band called the Dwarves, who had just been kicked off the trendy Sub Pop for feigning the death of one of their members. I was intrigued, and I … Read more

Culo

Toxic Vision
Deranged (2011)

You’d certainly be forgiven if, like me, you initially assumed Cülo were a Hispanic punk band. I was told they hail from Chicago, IL—a place known for having one the most heavily Latino-populated hardcore scenes in the country—and, well, their name is, after all, a Spanish word. Upon hearing their first 7”, Nuke Abuse, I quickly realized that all the … Read more

Vestiges

The Descent Of Man
Independent (2011)

The D.I.Y. ethic has long been a tremendous ideal that has always appealed to my often times ridiculous sensibilities, but what can I say besides that there is just something to a band putting their blood sweat and tears into a project from the first inkling of inspiration to breaking open that box of records from the record plant; the … Read more

Xibalba

Self Titled
A389 (2011)

Xibalba translates to "Place Of Fear" meaning a place where the evil go when they die in Mayan culture. There is no more fitting name for what Xibalba, the band, do musically. Over the past few years the band has managed to build a relentlessly heavy sound giving nods to Max Cavalera era Sepultura and Disembodied. These influences are readily … Read more

Isis

Live.02
Independent (2011)

A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly basis throughout the summer of 2011. The set of five albums unfortunately does not contain any new material, but for those of you who skipped acquiring them while the band was still active, some of these albums may satiate your … Read more

Reviews by score
Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)