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The Mars Volta

The Bedlam in Goliath
Universal (2008)

For a band that immerses themselves in creating such an uncompromising and complicated sound, The Mars Volta is a very prolific bunch of musicians. One album released each year shows a very strong work ethic and a determination to never stagnate in their evolution. Not to mention a strong passion for all kinds of music. The Mars Volta sound like … Read more

Reign Supreme

American Violence
Malfunction (2008)

Philadelphia's Reign Supreme burst onto the hardcore scene in 2006 with great intensity. Fronted by former Blacklisted member Jay Pepito and also featuring former members of Palehorse and others, Reign Supreme deliver a highly visceral and punishing blend of metallic hardcore. American Violence is their latest EP, the follow-up to a demo and a 12" single. Reign Supreme knock on … Read more

Oren Ambarchi

In the Pendulums Embrace
Southern Lord (2007)

When I hear this album I smell dust. It might not make sense to you, or to me for that matter, but it is what it is. Some albums, particularly in the ambient vein, take me to strange places that can be either outside or inside. Oren Ambarchi takes me to the attic that I haven't been up to in … Read more

Ghost in the House

Ghost in the House
Edgetone (2007)

Sometimes one needs a good reminder not to let expectations run amok in order to avoid disappointment. In general I always try to get positively surprised rather than the other way around, but you can't always be at the top of your game. Sometime you let yourself hope of something good only to be let down. This may sound more … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Son Lux

At War with Walls and Mazes
Anticon (2008)

Son Lux is the working project of one man, Ryan Lott, a multi-talented musician and artist. At War with Walls and Mazes is his debut full-length and over the course of it he dabbles in various worlds of experimental music. At War with Walls and Mazes can be described in simplest forms as experimental as throughout the album, Lott pursues … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Arson Anthem

Arson Anthem
Housecore (2008)

Arson Anthem has quite the pedigree with members of Pantera, Eyehategod, and Superjoint Ritual in tow. Phil Anselmo, who is joined by Mike Williams of Eyehategod, Hank Williams III of Superjoint Ritual, and Collin Yeo, spearheads the four-piece group. The project came to be after Anselmo and Williams sat around listening to lots of Negative Approach, Poison Idea, Discharge, and … Read more

200 Words Or Less

ANS / Seasick

Billy in a Bearsuit
Brain Drain / Headcount (2008)

Hailing from outside Dallas, ANS deliver a concoction of fast-paced hardcore punk that draws comparisons to the early days of hardcore: Black Flag, Bad Brains, and DRI. The foursome is a bit more aggressive than their forefathers though, as showcased in the minute-and-a-half blast that is "Paging Dr. Shiba." "Circle the Drain" is a nice blend of the early hardcore … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Lighten Up

I'd Rather be Snoring
Brain Drain (2007)

Philadelphia is always shooting out new hardcore bands. Lighten Up is one of the more recent products of the city of endless hardcore. The members of this four-piece likely have extensive collections of Revelation and Dischord records, or at least that's what one would guess while listening to their music. I'd Rather be Snoring is five tracks of super fast-paced … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Sequoia

Time to Change
Independent (2007)

The metropolis of Chicago, IL is home to many many artists. While listening to Sequoia, I found their sound to be somewhat fitting, but at the same time I could pick up influences that could easily place them elsewhere. Time to Change is the band's second full-length and features ten songs at just over thirty minutes of music. The opening … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Shout Magic

Ceiling Fan and Other Revolutions
Chief City (2007)

Shout Magic is a five-piece ensemble from Philadelphia. Though, if you were listen to the music of Ceiling Fan and Other Revolutions you definitely wouldn't guess that as their location. Perhaps a swanky lounge in Los Angeles or even some off-strip locale in Las Vegas would be more likely. Ceiling Fan and Other Revolutions is six tracks that clocks in … Read more

Hot Water Music

Till the Wheels Fall Off
No Idea (2008)

People who find this band excellent or entertaining have an intimate love affair with them and their blue collar, dirt under the fingernails, dyed in the wool punk rock. It was a sad day indeed when this foursome of the people called it quits (for the second or third time in their existence) after leaving behind a swath of full … Read more

The Out_Circuit

Pierce the Empire with a Sound
Lujo (2008)

Frodus is one of those bands that just didn't seem to get the recognition they truly deserved until after their breakup, and they're still extremely overlooked. Following their demise in 1999, bassist Nathan Burke started up his own project with friend Andy Gale. The Out_Circuit is what it became and the band eventually released its first album, Burn Your Scripts … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Final Verdict

Reaching for Something Better
Independent (2007)

Typical mid-tempo to fast metal-core that thankfully takes its queues from early 90's metallic hardcore than it does from the fashion inspired Sweden riff infested crap of the earlier part of this decade. The first track, "Cry Havok," is best of the seven songs on here with its sludgy yet melodic onslaught to the ears. It's heavy sounding, yeah no … Read more

200 Words Or Less

The Maine

The Way We Talk
Fearless (2007)

I could tell right away from the faux 60's hippie cover art to the band photo wherein three out of four members have the exact same swoop haircut that I was going to crap all over this five song CDEP. Okay, sometimes the swoop is on the left side of their acne scared faces versus the right, but still. Is … Read more

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