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Skullflower

Tribulation
Crucial Blast (2006)

Most people can't handle the devastating beauty that Skullflower has been known for since its inception in 1987. This latest offering, Tribulation, shows Skullflower in mind blowing form, and I mean that in the most literal sense. This record is loud and thick with ambient noise, feedback, and fuzzed out droning that weighs heavy on the listener's mind and soul. … Read more

I Killed the Prom Queen

Music for the Recently Deceased
Metal Blade (2006)

I'm not going to lie to you, kids. I have an affinity for most things from Down Under. I had family who lived there for fifteen years that I had the pleasure of visiting many moons ago. I've been on the Sydney Harbour Cruise, record shopping in Melbourne, held a wombat in Ballarat, and found my way back to a … Read more

Murder Practice

Murder Practice
West Coast Worldwide (2006)

The wave of hardcore bands coming from the hotbed that is the Bay Area is endless; Murder Practice is the latest export from the constantly thriving scene to hit your stereo. Their self-titled debut is a ten-song soundtrack of aggressive hardcore mixed with the fury of punk and the ferociousness of metal. And while a lot of bands claim to … Read more

Piebald

Accidental Gentlemen
Side One Dummy (2007)

I appreciate humor in music. Being a literary nerd, there's nothing more satisfying than catching a good pun or play on words in the midst of a steady rock beat. Unfortunately, little in today's music scene really delivers. Metalcore (a slowly dying dinosaur), and whatever you call it that Three One G puts out (art school grind-punk?) goes for the … Read more

Only Crime

Virulence
Fat Wreck Chords (2007)

Supergroups are a curious entity, as they often appear to be incredible in the idea stage, but the expectations often exceed the execution. Fortunately, the classic phrase "too many chefs in the kitchen" does not apply to Only Crime - whose talents have been involved with acts such as Bane, Converge, Descendents, Good Riddance, and Gwar - because they are … Read more

The Assailant

Colera
Rome Plow (2006)

A couple of weeks ago, I received a promo package in the mail from the beloved head of staff at Scene Point Blank. The description for this recently released album on Rome Plow Records mentioned Seattle, Washington's late Botch. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity to listen to a free, Botch-influenced album, and review it. The Assailant is … Read more

Architect

All is not Lost
Black Market Activities (2007)

As I mentioned in the Gaza review I wrote, I was eagerly anticipating Architect's first release All is not Lost. While Black Market Activities had generally put out stuff outside of my niche, I knew who they were, and their recent releases have really catapulted them to the forefront of my attention. What grabs my attention about these releases is … Read more

Ladyfinger (ne)

Heavy Hands
Saddle Creek (2006)

First off, I have to say, "wow." This is really on Saddle Creek? That is totally unexpected. Being unfamiliar with what Ladyfinger (ne) is capable of musically, I am totally surprised. Heavy Hands is the debut album from these guys. It is a more than interesting offering by the description that I have been given for them. Most people have … Read more

the_Network

This is Your Pig's Portrait
Black Market Activities (2007)

The_Network poises itself to be one of the weirdest albums of 2007 despite the fact that it was released on the twenty-third day of the year. While they were lead to write the songs on This is Your Pig's Portrait after attending a Bloodlet show, I don't think all but the most trained and knowing ears would pick Bloodlet as … Read more

Sleeping Pilot

Panic Sex
Sonic Deadline (2006)

I've never had panic sex, and I don't really want to. It's not really a term that can have many happy endings. There are really only three things I can associate with panic sex: an unwanted pregnancy, an STD, or a dead hooker. Not what I want the outcome of any sexual encounter to be. But now a more positive … Read more

The Esoteric

Subverter
Prosthetic (2006)

Call it a sickness. Call it sheer stupidity. I have to admit that I have a soft spot I my heart for The Esoteric; I have ever since I saw them open for Coalesce a few years back. I remember remarking to my brother and friends that they reminded me of Coalesce (this was also the tour that Cory White … Read more

No Turning Back

Holding On
Bridge Nine (2006)

I don't know exactly when it happened - it was probably in the 90's- but you don't need to be from New York anymore to sound like a NYHC band. You could be from such sun-drenched locales like Florida and California. You could even talk about the tough streets in Tokyo, Japan or Umea, Sweden. You don't need to be … Read more

Pulling Teeth

Vicious Skin
Chainsaw Safety (2006)

Baltimore based Pulling Teeth released an extremely impressive demo and all expectations of what a proper release would be are exceeded on this recording. Vicious Skin is eleven tracks of fast-paced hardcore and crossover goodness served up over the course of fourteen short tumultuous minutes. On Vicious Skin, Pulling Teeth draw heavily from two schools of thought, paying homage to … Read more

Dustin Kensrue

Please Come Home
Equal Vision (2007)

All right doggies, saddle up. It's time to slip off those slip-on vans and lace up a pair of shit kickers; the terrain gets a lil' rough up ahead. That's right, y'all better trade in those half inch gauged earrings for a ten gallon hat because we're about to take a bucking ride through the romantic Midwest with Dustin "Dusty" … Read more

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