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Sirhan Sirhan

Blood
Anodyne (2008)

Sirhan Sirhan plays groovy hardcore punk with a bit of a noise rock bent and maybe even some of that vintage rock 'n' roll vibe from The Bronx's early work, but with a much heftier guitar sound and harsher vocals. This album doesn't really have a whole lot in common with what would traditionally be considered hardcore except for being … Read more

Cave In

Planets of Old
Hydra Head (2009)

Cave In is back! Yes! The band makes its comeback known with the four-track twelve inch EP, Planets of Old, much to the excitement of long time fans and those that have yet to experience the four piece outfit (with drummer JR Connors rejoining the fold). Considering the chameleon like shifting of the band's sound over the years, the question … Read more

Have Nots

Serf City USA
Scars and Strife (2009)

The disbanding of Boston punk groups Stray Bullets and Chicago Typewriter led to the formation of the band Have Nots. Sometimes, stronger bands are formed from the ashes of two defunct ones and Have Nots are looking to prove this with their debut album, Serf City USA. They bring a nice balance of ska and aggressive punk rock to the … Read more

Outrage

Broken
Panic (2009)

Massachusetts has been a bastion for hardcore throughout the years, and 2009 isn't any different. Outrage bring forth their debut full-length, Broken, which follows up the Savior EP they released late last year. Outrage draws heavily from an era of hardcore that I both love and know well: the mid-90's. Therefore, I am predisposed - subconsciously or consciously I do … Read more

Mouthbreather

Thank You For Your Patience
Kiss of Death (2008)

After hearing a certain amount of buzz surrounding Mouthbreather and their album, Thank You For Your Patience, there seemed a certain pull for me to listen to this record, if only to check out what the band has to offer. My piquing interest aside, this Richmond, Virginia band continues to turn heads. One aspect of Mouthbreather on Thank You For … Read more

Chuck Ragan

Gold Country
Side One Dummy (2009)

When Hot Water Music vocalist/guitarist, Chuck Ragan released Feast or Famine, it took a lot of fans by surprise. There have been a lot of punk musicians who form acoustic side projects in their down time, but how many of them sounded as good and authentic as Feast or Famine did? That album carried a very strong folk vibe and … Read more

Wolves & Thieves

Wolves & Thieves
Swagger City/Lorelei (2009)

I talk about the Bay Area hardcore scene a lot. Okay, maybe a little more than a lot. But it is a quality scene, so you can't blame me. Equally as deserving of recognition is the punk scene of the greater San Francisco Bay. There is a rich history that stems back to the 1970's with groups like Dead Kennedys, … Read more

Title Fight

The Last Thing You Forget
Run for Cover (2009)

Pennsylvania natives Title Fight return with a collection of new and old on The Last Thing You Forget. This 7" contains three brand new cuts that build on their melodic hardcore background; a CD version contains a bonus fourth song from the recording session as well as their Kingston 7" and songs from their first release, a split with The … Read more

The Tanks

Keep Breaking Down
Scenester Credentials (2009)

With only two studio albums thus far, I'm not really comfortable referring to The Future of the Left has an influential band, but only a few seconds into The Tanks Keep Breaking Down and I'm thinking clearly of the Welsh band. The guitars aren't quite as interesting, and singer Kevin Koppes doesn't accentuate as much, but the speak-sing, monologue-style vocals … Read more

Anaal Nathrakh

In the Constellation of the Black Widow
Candlelight (2009)

This is an album that I wanted to like as soon as I saw the cover art, but in the back of my mind I was afraid I wouldn't after the slightly-too-polished and slightly-too-death-metal Hell is Empty and All the Devils are Here from 2007. But In the Constellation of the Black Widow turns out to be one of the … Read more

The Killer

Not All Who are Lost...
Organized Crime (2009)

A few months back I spent a weekend in Chicago for the Burning Fight book release show. Granted this wasn't an exclusively Chicago hardcore event per se, but a number of Chicago-based bands were on display as part of the festivities. One such band, and one of Chicago's most established, was The Killer. Watching the hometown crowd react to their … Read more

Withdrawal

Unknown Misery
Wendigo (2009)

Sometimes a band digs its claws into your very essence. This band refuses to let go, and only deepens its grip as times passes. Since hearing demo recordings from Canadian-based Withdrawal, I have been unwilling to separate myself from the connection I have to their music. Unknown Misery marks the band's first official release, a five-song 7" of 90's inspired … Read more

Death By Stereo

Death is My Only Friend
Serjical Strike (2009)

Before I start this review, let's have a little history lesson. Death By Stereo began their careers by releasing two very solid hardcore albums (If Looks Could Kill, I'd Watch You Die and Day of the Death) and winning a lot of fans over with their energetic live shows. In 2003, they released Into the Valley of Death, which showed … Read more

American Steel

Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts
Fat Wreck Chords (2009)

After returning from a five year hiatus in 2007, American Steel released Destroy Their Future, which may have been their strongest release yet. It showed the band with a more mature sound while still not drifting too far off from their roots. The follow-up record, Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts is a little different. Here we see the Bay Area … Read more

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