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Dälek

Gutter Tactics
Ipecac (2009)

Describing Dälek is always pretty tough. Despite the fact that MC Dälek himself has stated that they should be considered purely hip-hop since the origins of the genre lie in experimentation and breaking down barriers, I would conjecture that whacking Gutter Tactics onto your stereo and playing it to your average chart-loving hip-hop aficionado would result in blank stares and … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Agent

Awake in Their World
Run for Cover (2009)

Run Cover for Cover's label head Jeff and I like to go back and forth over his bastardization of the phrase "pop-punk" but the kid has a lot of heart and does a good job with his label. However, even though we will go tit for tat over our endless Screeching Weasel vs. Fireworks to everyone else's eye rolling disgust … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Police & Thieves

Amor Y Guerra (Reissue)
Youngblood (2008)

Michael already reviewed the 7" version of this. The only thing that's different is that the CD version has the demo tacked on for good measure. Anyhow, Police & Thieves is ex-members of Worn Thin and play aggressive melodic hardcore that you can tell that Police & Thieves is from the nation's capitol. If you like Dag Nasty or the … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The Poison Arrows

Casual Wave
File 13 (2008)

Being from Chicago, The Poison Arrows have a style that unmistakeably brings to mind the old, early to mid 90's alternative rock scene. Since that particular time spawned quite a few great bands then this can be considered a good prospect. The debut EP from this band doesn't necessarily resemble the noisy endeavors of Steve Albini or the madness of … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Maria Taylor

Ladyluck
Nettwerk (2009)

Maria Taylor has developed a fanbase based on her quiet and soulful tunes, endearing and charming enough to cockle the heartstrings of nearly any cynic. She has a knack for capturing adult takes on both sentimentality and romance, a talent which has landed many of her songs in the background of numerous romantic comedies and sitcoms. Two solo albums removed … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Beep Beep

Enchanted Islands
Saddle Creek (2009)

Taking a five year hiatus between albums, Beep Beep released Enchanted Islands, the follow up to 2004's Business Casual, earlier this year. Given the current pace of the music industry, and a slight change from the original lineup, Enchanted Island has a feel closer to a debut album rather than a sophomore effort. The band freely plays with esoteric tempos, … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Casting Curses

Heartificial
Tuned To You (2009)

Heartificial is a two-song EP from Upstate New York's Casting Curses. This five-piece hardcore outfit delivers an impact statement in just two songs, something that is rather impressive. "Hey Disbeliever" leads it off and brings to mind modern hardcore bands such as Have Heart. They mix the aggression of hardcore with a bit of melody, resulting in an enjoyable experience. … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Gray Ghost

Deep in the Shallow End
Chainsaw Safety (2009)

Atlanta-based outfit Gray Ghost return with their debut full-length. Following up their self-titled EP from last year, the band continues to evolve their sound. Still loosely based in the realm of hardcore, the band's sound is a progressive mixture of drone, hardcore, and metal. "Siberian" sets the pace with its driving rhythms and excellent guitar riffage - think Isis and … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Dark Days

How Have We Done This
Independent (2009)

Dark Days is a new band from the Bay Area of California and this is their five-song demo recording. It was printed on both cassette tapes (limited to 50 copies each with a different cover) and CD-R. Musically, I'd compare them to Trash Talk. They make use of short fast blasts of chaos and then let things hang with slower … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Iron Rain

Demo
Independent (2009)

I got this demo while I was in Chicago recently. This one was being given away outside of a show. Normally when bands do this, it's a waste of their money and my time. But I figured it was worth looking into because of the show I was attending. Iron Rain offer up two tracks of metallic hardcore that brings … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Nowhere Bound

Demo
Independent (2009)

Nowhere Bound is a new hardcore band from the Chicago area and this is their four-song demo. They've got an Eastcoast flavor going on over these songs even though they hail from the Midwest. "Faith of the Faithless" is a bruising opener with crunching riffs; the solid breakdown makes this a great opener. "No Recourse" and "Joys of Winter" are … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Arms Aloft

Comfort at Any Cost
Dead Format (2008)

Hailing from Wisconsin, Arms Aloft are quite a surprise with their 7" debut Comfort at Any Cost. This four-song EP follows up a demo recording released last year. The four-piece outfit have concocted an upbeat mixture of punk and rock and roll. Arms Aloft has a definite Hot Water Music sound, but with a bit more of a rock feel … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Hope Lane is a Dead End

Illuminate
Independent (2009)

Metalcore has been an interesting genre over the years. Initially bands like Integrity, Earth Crisis, and Unbroken were labeled as metalcore for their metal influences in the hardcore sound. Since then, bands like Cave In, Botch, and Poison the Well have been labeled as such, all while developing their own styles within those bounds. Additionally the term has been bastardized … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Heads Held High

So Say We All
Crossface (2009)

So Say We All is the full-length debut from Clevelanders Heads Held High. These five gentlemen have been kicking around in the city for a few years now with a couple of self-released EP's under their belts. For their debut full-length the band has continued to belt out high-octane melodic hardcore, not exactly the norm for the city that spawned … Read more

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