Battlefields
Thresholds of Imbalance
Translation Loss (2009)
There are bands and musicians that, when heard, give off the sense that their physical environment informs, influences, and shapes their music. Battlefields is surely one of those bands whose base of operations plays a part in just what their music sounds like. And coming from Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota, an image of stark and harsh winters and a sprawling landscape translates in their compositions. The nine tracks that inhabit the third record from Battlefields, Thresholds of Imbalance, are sprawling affairs (check out "Blueprint") that definitely come from a similar school of thought as Neurosis, Isis, and Cult of Luna but add flairs of their own that do show the members' talents with their individual instruments (they are definitely players). While some of these tracks seem to go on a bit long, there is plenty of dynamic use that gives the songs an impressive shift in moods; there is an almost narrative quality to the pieces on Thresholds Of Imbalance. The keyboards and other electronic sounds lend quite a bit of texture to the different songs that adds to the overall mood and feel of the songs while the multiple variations of vocal styles are another plus. Besides "Blueprint" … Read more
Foundation
Hang Your Head
Six Feet Under (2009)
I grew up on '90s hardcore, so when I hear new band's drawing influence from that era I get excited. … Read more
Like Wolves
Paths
Independent (2009)
Paths is the second 7" release from Rochester's Like Wolves. I really enjoyed their demo 7", but this is even … Read more
Troublemaker
Sons of No One
Neutral Territory (2009)
New Jersey's Troublemaker (not to be confused with the Westcoast one) bring forth seven new songs on their Sons of … Read more
