Love, Hope and Fear are not what they used to be. And I mean that literally as well as musically. Their latest release, the four-song Fate's Frowned on Us, is the band's third official release in the band's five year (give or take) career. However, it is their second release since the revival of the lineup. Love, Hope And Fear used to be a trio back in the day, but after a short hiatus they came back as a five-piece with only the lead singer remaining from the original lineup. Ergo, this band's sound has jumped around a bit. But the past isn't the important part here, the record is. The record starts with the fast "Over the Edge." The first thing I noticed was how well executed the instruments sounded. Not something you usually notice, but the recording is solid and everyone is spot-on. This song is faster than I can remember the band ever being before, with the vocals being pushed out quickly but accurately. The guitars are deep but slightly melodic, reminiscent of Shai Hulud riffs, if you will (see "Art and Arson"). There is a good amount of chugga-chugga breakdowns as well; contrasting the consistent punk … Read more
What's wrong with more of the same, especially when what you've got is solid? If you're dating Scarlett Johansson, is … Read more
Where the hell have you been for the last four years Black Cross? The circumstances that have hampered this woefully … Read more
Soul (noun) : A sense of ethnic pride among Black people and especially African Americans, expressed in areas such as … Read more
It might say something for my enthusiasm for this record that it has sat for almost a year in my … Read more
Choose a year to view reviews of albums released in that year.
754 reviews
42 reviews
25 reviews
300 reviews
5010 reviews
19 reviews
Who Calls So Loud features ex-members of Funeral Diner and Portraits of Past, but that's not the only reason you should listen to their self-titled release. Their label, Protagonist Music, is well known for its incredible acts such as In First Person, Pyramids, Osceola, and Suis La Lune. The band plays emotional hardcore that breathes with quieter ambient sections. Heed the Protagonist Music seal of approval as Who Calls So Loud delivers passionate music without bombast. Read more
Here we go again. Once again we have yet another young hardcore band, this time hailing from Tacoma, WA, playing overly sincere emotional overcharged hardcore. If you have heard Modern Life is War, Comeback Kid, or maybe Shai Hulud you get the gist of what Never Looking Back is trying to accomplish. If you can sense my boredom right now, … Read more
Bands evolve and the fans have to deal with it. Their musical palette expands and the records change. This holds true with Cursive frontman Tim Kasher's music catalog. However, one aspect never changes, his bleak outlook on the world. It's always cynical, full of sarcasm, and consistently heartbroken. No matter what musical guise he wears, these sentiments are expressed through … Read more
A lot has been made lately of the throwback sounds that are ultra popular in hardcore these days. It seems that if you're not biting from the likes of Integrity, then you're probably ripping of Lifetime. Or, if neither of those are your cup of tea, you'll stealing a page from the early Revelation bands like Burn. Well, keeping with … Read more
Shipwreck burst onto the scene last year with their debut 7" on Rumble Records. The four-song release was an instant hit and eventually brought them to Deathwish's door. This release, another self-titled affair, is comprised of two new cuts and a reworking of "Heated" from their debut. "Mirage" kicks things off. The song is a rager deeply rooted in 90's … Read more
Erie has a long-standing tradition of hardcore: xDisciplex A.D., Brothers Keeper, Shockwave, and Abnegation. Continuing that tradition is War of Ages, though they definitely mix their hardcore influences with a significant amount of metal riffage. Fire from the Tomb is actually a re-recording of the band's debut effort. Some might question the band's decision to go back and re-do their … Read more
Daymares hail from Poland. Yes, that Poland. Prior to this release, the band had nothing more than a roughly mixed demo, which mixed 90's metallic hardcore with brooding metal. And here's why you should take notice Can't Get Us All is the band's debut full-length. Comprised of eleven songs, three of which are re-recorded from their demo, Can't Get Us … Read more
The Fire The Flood hails from North Carolina, a state home to metalcore greats Prayer for Cleansing. Unfortunately, the music that makes up Truth Seekers is nothing worth mentioning in the same sentence as one of the purveyors of modern metalcore. Truth Seekers is comprised of thirteen tracks, of which only two clock in over the two-minute mark. Musically, the … Read more
Dark Days is a discography release that compiles the San Diego-based hardcore outfits previous material into one neat package. The CD opens with "The Bridge," one of three new cuts. The song is fast-paced hardcore song that is centered on individuals that travel to The Golden Gate Bridge only to commit suicide. "Holy Hands" and "Fun in Funeral" follow in … Read more
Some critics may think that their age gives them more credit and validates every opinion they have. I am on the lower end of the age spectrum when it comes to critics, but that doesn't mean I have no clue what I'm talking about when it comes to music. Hey, I'm not a worldly expert but I think I can … Read more
Hailing from Italy, One Starving Day are a four-piece band that, at times, sounds more like ten or fifteen people playing music. Their sound is full and emotive conveying enough raw moods and feeling in each musical piece that begs for one to pay attention. The only time prior to Broken Wings Lead Arms to the Sun that I have … Read more
Municipal Waste likes to party. How do I know this? Well, there's the album title. Couple that with songs like "Beer Pressure," "Born to Party," and "Chemically Altered" and you don't exactly have to be Veronica Mars to connect the dots. It also goes without saying we're not exactly dealing with subtle music open to the interpretation of the listener … Read more
Westerners tend to love Japanese pop culture almost as much as Japanese kids love western (read: American) pop culture - especially rock and roll. And punk is no exception to this phenomenon, as each side doesn't hesitate to make a fetish out of the other: American punks work themselves into a lather bidding on GISM LPs, while Japanese punks go … Read more
Winnipeg's Under Pressure is a dirty 80's sounding hardcore band with a dude singing like he's trying to hold in his bong hit for the longest time while gargling glass. Saying he sounds a little gruff is like saying the people that have smoked Pall Mall Non-Filters for thirty plus years are a little raspy. Musically, the band either goes … Read more
God bless Matthew William Kohnle. Kohnle is The Swede. While I'm not sure if the name is a reference to his nationality (or if he is in fact a root vegetable), this project is solely his. With the exception of some bass clarinet by Todd Knapp and some vocals by Mrs. Kohnle, all songs are written, performed, and even recorded … Read more
Looking for the SPB logo? You can download it in a range of styles and colours here:
Click anywhere outside this dialog to close it, or press escape.