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Cancer Bats

Hail Destroyer
Metal Blade (2008)

Cancer Bats really confuse me. On one hand, they are almost astonishingly derivative and terrifyingly hip. On the other hand, there is something infectious about their brand of sludge-tinged groove metal that makes me want to drink, fuck, and party all night. And I don't even drink. Following the blueprint set down by their first full-length, Hail Destroyer does nothing … Read more

Nadja

Desire in Uneasiness
Crucial Blast (2008)

Where to start with Nadja? To be honest, being inundated with hype from the Internet's hype machine forces my hand into checking out what this duo has to offer my ears. Desire in Uneasiness is the two-piece's first full-length of new material after a slew of re-releases and re-recordings. But the promise in what I am hearing about Nadja truly … Read more

The Gaslight Anthem

The '59 Sound
Side One Dummy (2008)

Make no assumptions about it, The Gaslight Anthem are one of the best active rock and roll bands. You can argue over whether they are a punk band or a rock band, but in the end it is all just semantics. It's the same argument that happened thirty years ago with The Clash. It really doesn't matter what side you … Read more

Supermachiner

Rise of the Great Machine (Reissue)
E-Vinyl (2008)

Supermachiner is the short-lived project of Jacob Bannon of Converge and Ryan Parker where they eventually enlisted the input of fellow Converge member Kurt Ballou as well as Seth Bannon. And before anyone gets excited about the possible likeness to Converge, this outfit is a much different animal that is more in line with Jacob's much more recent solo work … Read more

The Riot Before

Fists Buried in Pockets
Say-10 (2008)

The Riot Before hail from Richmond but look and sound like a Gainesville band. Musically, I'd lump them in with American Steel and old Against Me!. There is a folk undertone, but the music is electric guitar-fueled punk rock with strong, emotive vocals. The band quickly establishes their sound with the titular track "Fists Buried in Pockets," a minimalist song … Read more

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 … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Grace Alley / Skin Like Iron

Quake City
Spiderghost (2008)

We all know how much I love the Bay Area music scene, so it's really no surprise I'm loving this split 7" from Grace Alley and Skin Like Iron. Grace Alley leads things off with "Sunday Morning, "Fifth and Harrison." The music has that definitive East Bay Punk sound of the 90's to it mixed with a bit of the … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Heavy Hearted

Heavy Hearted
Farewell Party (2008)

Heavy Hearted is based out of Rochester, NY. It's been quite some time since I've heard anything new from that area of the state. But, then again, sometimes the good things come to those who wait. This 7" release is, from what I can gather, a companion release to the band's debut full-length, Overcast, which was released earlier this year. … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Creatures

Creatures
Independent (2008)

Orange County was a breeding ground for hardcore in the early 80's. While many might suggest that the scene there has died off, they couldn't be more wrong. Creatures is one of many upcoming hardcore groups bringing credibility back to the area. After turning heads with a demo, Creatures quickly recorded for a new EP. The six songs that make … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Wraith

Wraith
Reflections (2008)

Wraith is the latest U.K. export to hit my doorstep. Following on solid releases from Rot in Hell, Deal With It, and Dirty Money, the scene over there is starting to look rather promising again. While only a band for a year, Wraith has already built a massive following. And when you listen to this 7" you'll know just why. … Read more

200 Words Or Less

All Through a Life

All Through a Life
Clue #2 (2008)

Unsolicited review materials are either one of two things: great surprises or extreme disappointments. Vancouver, British Columbia natives All Through a Life is of the first grouping. Prior to its arrival in the mail, I had never heard of All Though a Life. Over the course of this three-song 7" the Canadian four-piece experiments with a crossing of Dischord-esque punk … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Resonance

Transfuse
Collapse (2008)

Now defunct Virginia Beach outfit Resonance sees their two demos put to wax on this 12" affair. Transfuse boasts ten tracks of hardcore that is as potent as it is tenuous. On first listen, the ten songs that compile this recording may appear to be nothing more than standard fare melodic hardcore. However, after repeated spins, the diversity of the … Read more

200 Words Or Less

In First Person / Storm the Bastille

Split
Ape Must Not Kill Ape / Protag (2008)

In First Person from New Jersey starts off the a-side with their dissonant and pummeling metallic hardcore sound. The band's highly concentrated and volatile sound is reminiscent of Cursed, Tragedy, and Deadguy. The three-piece outfit, which boasts former members of You and I as well as The Assistant, destroys it on these four songs. If you missed their previous full-length, … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Ghostlimb

Bearing and Distance
Level Plane/Adagio (2008)

Ghostlimb is a project spearheaded by Justin Smith of Graf Orlock. Bearing and Distance is the band's second full-length release and first for Level Plane (vinyl was handled by Adagio). Whereas Graf Orlock takes a novelty approach to grindcore, Ghostlimb takes a more direct and serious approach to hardcore. In fact, the band's sound has a lot more in common … Read more

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