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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)

Gods and Queens

Untitled
Robotic Empire (2008)

Following the untimely demise of Versoma, Gods and Queens springs forth from those ashes (Tombs is another band which formed in the wake of Versoma's death) to create another logical progression within a similar vein or style of musical sound. In fact, prior to Versoma forming, Gods and Queens had a short existence which resulted in a nascent version of the first song on the lone Versoma record, Life During Wartime. This is the first release from Gods and Queens, and its seven untitled tracks reveal quite a bit about the influences of the band while still making music that is most assuredly theirs. Track one is heavily laden with a haze of sound which permeates everything and leaves listeners in a deep morass of audio pummeling; the plodding tempo serves to heighten this sense, and the vocals cut through the din. The overall sound of track two is not as thick as its predecessor, and the increase in melodic quality both in the guitars and vocals further sets the track apart; the steady bass sits subtly amongst the swirling guitars and other orphan sound. The noticeable groove inhabiting track three adds a new dimension to the music that Gods … Read more

Overcast

Reborn to Kill Again
Metal Blade (2008)

I would say ninety percent of the fans of the current bands (Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage, Seemless) that the members … Read more

Crime Desire

Crime Desire
Life Is A Rape (2008)

The singer of Crime Desire is dead ringer for Rasaraja/Robert Fish of 108/Judas Factor fame. So I can't help to … Read more

Multiple Authors

Thursday / Envy

Split
Temporary Residence (2008)

Envy is having an extremely busy year in 2008: re-releasing much of their back catalog, the Abyssal EP, a split … Read more

Multiple Authors

Thursday / Envy

Split
Temporary Residence (2008)

The pairing of a so-called emo band from New Jersey and a screamo/post-rock band from Japan may seem odd. But … Read more

Grails

Doomsdayer's Holiday
Temporary Residence (2008)

Having only just been introduced to the wonder and at times awe inspiring music of the outfit known as Grails, … Read more

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One from the archives

Cobalt

Slow Forever
Profound Lore (2016)

The future looked very dark for Cobalt, following the release of 2009's Gin. Wunder and McSorley seemed to have perfected their recipe for the black metal outfit, following the release of their debut album, War Metal, and especially their sophomore full-length, Eater of Birds. The band seized activities, and time went by. McSorley left the band, re-joined and left again, and things were not looking great. At the meantime Wunder was dwelling in the psychedelic folk rock domain of Man's Gin, and it just felt that a new Cobalt release might not see the light of day. How wrong that thought was? Not only Cobalt returned. Not only Wunder finds an excellent vocalist in Charlie Fell (ex-Lord Mantis, ex-Abigail Williams). Not only do they return with a double album, but … Read more

More album reviews

Estatic Sunshine

Way
Cardboard (2008)

What if an album isn't an album? What if it falls into absurdity while no one is listening? Does it make a series of obnoxious sounds? I'm probably coming off like some Bacharach-rocking philistine, but I really really like songs. Failing that, riffs. Failing that, music. The album Way by Ecstatic Sunshine fills somewhere between zero and three of those … Read more

Integrity

Walpurgisnacht
A389 (2008)

Ah, Dwid, where have you been hiding your mischievous and malevolent musical vehicle Integrity for the last five years? Ever since 2003's To Die For, Integrity's absence hangs over the hardcore scene like a looming spectre waiting to strike down pretenders and infidels alike. Sure the usual re-issues of Integrity's back catalog and singles as well as live records continue … Read more

Black SS

Terror of the North East: 2004-2007
Reaper (2008)

I've mentioned it before in other reviews that I usually try to find bands to enjoy musically by their own personal likability. Although I do realize that most of these likable factors are usually based on preconceived assumptions that I pull from band photos and lyrics. Let's take Black Sheep Squadron for example. We both have a love affair with … Read more

Multiple Authors

Dillinger Four

C I V I L W A R
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)

Being from the same state as well a fan of tuneful catchy pop-punk one would think that I would be really into Dillinger Four. Yes, one would think that. The fact of the matter is that I've always been a casual fan of this rambunctious often inebriated foursome. I've actually only seen them once in the last fifteen years and … Read more

Multiple Authors

Dillinger Four

C I V I L W A R
Fat Wreck Chords (2008)

As my age teeters closer to thirty than twenty, I continually ask myself three important questions: Am I still punk? Was I ever? Does it matter? Sure my love of punk music grows exponentially with every year I age, but is it just a label for me to wear on my shirt, or is it truly a way of life? … Read more

Helms Alee

Night Terror
Hydra Head (2008)

Following up a surprising teaser EP with a limited release earlier this year, Helms Alee drop their debut full-length on a mostly unsuspecting public; Night Terror is a great point to latch onto this three-piece and enjoy some noisy music that will leave heads spinning or throbbing or whatever head trip that it could impose. The ten tracks that Night … Read more

Cannabis Corpse

Tube of the Resinated
Forcefield (2008)

The equation is very simple. Take several old school death metal fans and add copious amounts of bud. The result is Richmond's very own blaze-driven Cannabis Corpse. The band, whose idea was to express its love for smoking weed and listening to Cannibal Corpse, released their second album, Tube of the Resinated, on April 20th, a fine day to champion … Read more

The Eye The Ear and The Arm

Paths
Portia (2008)

Remember when music had regional traits? You know - Chicago Blues, East Coast Swing, Seattle Grunge? Yeah, me neither. No one reading Internet music criticism does. But you can imagine, yes? It's kind of cute. Exciting, for the sort of person who loves over-precise analysis of pop-culture artifacts. Which I totally am not. In any case, I've got some good … Read more

Cold World

Dedicated to Babies Who Came Feet First
Deathwish Inc. (2008)

Thankfully raps inclusion into the world of heavy music has been greatly ignored in hardcore minus a few forays into the ugliest parts of New York City, North Jersey, and a couple sightings in California in the early 90's. Then came Cold World from Wilkes-Barre, PA with their cute little samples and lyrics lifted from various hip hop artists. Next … Read more

Deadbird

Twilight Ritual
At A Loss (2008)

Right off the bat, allow me to bring notice to the cover art for Deadbird's latest album, Twilight Ritual (following up 2005's The Head and the Heat) because it is rather stunning; John Baizley (guitarist/ vocalist of Baroness, and artist for such bands as Torche, Darkest Hour, Pig Destroyer as well as his own) continues his busy schedule of art … Read more

Exodus

Let There be Blood
Zaentz (2008)

Why re-record your own album almost twenty-five years later? Some, including this reviewer, find the redundancy almost laughable, but yet it appears to be more and more common, crossing across all genres everyone from Dimmu Borgir to the Cowboy Junkies is doing it. The more mainstream of bands could certainly be accused of doing it solely for financial gain. After … Read more

Ceremony

Still Nothing Moves You
Bridge Nine (2008)

I could easily give Ceremony's latest album a token crappy review because quite frankly I find this band a bit too overrated to garner an actual unbiased review from me. I really hate to be "that guy" but I haven't enjoyed anything from this North Bay based hardcore unit since their demo and subsequent 7". Everything afterwards just came at … Read more

Decades

Numbered
State of Mind (2008)

Ah yes, Texas hardcore. In spite of the recent loss of many of its key bands, the various scenes within Texas continue to strike back with more young and promising hardcore bands. Decades, from the greater Dallas region, is amongst this new crop of bands bringing new life. Numbered is the band's debut effort, a six-song EP. "Caravel / Mediastinum" … Read more

The Sea and Cake

Car Alarm
Thrill Jockey (2008)

That easy, jazz-infused post-rock has come a long way since adopting a mispronunciation of their intended band name (The "C" in Cake). The Sea and Cake have extended themselves as a group after almost fifteen years, and now eight full-lengths, of playing. After taking a three-year hiatus, The Sea and Cake returned to the studio with last year's Everybody. Although … Read more

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