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In Flames

Come Clarity
Ferret (2006)

In metal circles, In Flames need little introduction, if any at all. The once vaunted band was at the forefront of the "New Wave of Swedish Death Metal" invasion that produced masterpieces like Jester's Race, Whoracle, and Colony. The band has been on somewhat of a decline over the last several albums, culminating in the critically panned, ill received nu-metal … Read more

Dear Whoever

Sound the Trumpet
Broken Line (2006)

What does it mean to have over 407,000 plays on Purevolume, over 170,000 plays and over 10,000 friends on Myspace? After listening to Dear Whoever's EP, Sound the Trumpet, I have found the answer to these questions, among others. Such as, what happens when you mix teenage angst with Christian metal? And the ever popular, would you rather listen to … Read more

No Idols

Low (Swing the Pyramid Hands)
Hex (2006)

No Idols is a roaring, incendiary band that combines a fuzzed out dirgey guitar attack (a la Cursed) with speed, raw emotion, and enough sociopolitical bile to piss of an entire VFW hall full of the mascara crowd. Low (Swing the Pyramid Hands) is the second release, following a 7" on Grave Mistake (which is equally excellent but different sounding), … Read more

Iron Age

Constant Struggle
Youngblood (2006)

Despite what everyone else is saying, I can't call Iron Age a hardcore band. I know they're on a hardcore label and have members that were in fairly big hardcore bands. But they're just not hardcore music. Their music is way to metal to be lumped in with hardcore. From the opening track, "We're Dust / The Violator" it's obvious … Read more

Dragonforce

Inhuman Rampage
Sanctuary (2006)

Usually, when a band tries to surpass their previous musical efforts, especially when the stage is set to such a high standard, they hit a block of musical creativity. This block sounds like an attempt at something new and original but falls quite short of that, and what you hear makes you look back at the CD case to see … Read more

Fightstar

Grand Unification
Island (2006)

Sunday March 12th, 2006 An open letter to Charlie Simpson of Fightstar. Dear Mr. Simpson, Does the name Skua mean anything to you? Let me jog your memory. Skua is the band that Paul Cattermole left S Club 7 to play in. You know, the one he was in right before he disappeared from view entirely? That one that would … Read more

Various Artists

We Reach: The Music of The Melvins
Fractured Transmitter (2005)

A tribute to The Melvins, in theory, is a great idea. Hell, all tribute records in theory are great ideas. They pay homage to talented bands that have been around for years and influenced countless artists. It's only fitting that they be showered with the respect that they deserve, right? Of course! Unfortunately, most tribute records don't turn out so … Read more

The Slackers

Peculiar
Hellcat (2006)

Yes, this could be considered a ska record, and yes, ska really is not as popular as it was a short time ago. But forget all of that genre prejudice, The Slackers are a different breed of band. Their smooth arrangements, jazzy interludes, and uncannily humable tunes allow them to transcend the musical genre of ska. If you have ever … Read more

The Living End

State of Emergency
EMI (2006)

Maturity is a much-maligned thing within the pop world. Let's face it, there's nothing that the mass-media consuming pop-culture junkie detests more than a band that changes their sound. Maybe the new sound makes the consumer feel stupid? Maybe the new sound is just shit? Maybe it's something not worth postulating over? The fact is that this is how it … Read more

The Lawrence Arms

Oh! Calcutta!
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)

Oh! Calcutta! - A Simpsons reference or a slightly more cultured allusion to the 1969 Broadway erotica musical of the same name? Oh! Calcutta! is the fifth full-length from The Lawrence Arms, who have also released a 7", B-sides album, several splits, and more compilation contributions than you could care to name. This latest release is an interesting one for … Read more

Mogwai

Mr. Beast
Matador (2006)

I'm riding a veritable roller coaster. Yes, arguably the most clichéd analogy to begin any form of discussion about a post-rock record; I'm painfully aware but it's late and I'm tired. But I'm not going to compare the music itself to an intricate, high energy ride, but rather to my own reaction to it. My own perception and reaction to … Read more

The Loved Ones

Keep Your Heart
Fat Wreck Chords (2006)

It's 2:11am on Friday morning and I'm sitting in my room in my boxers eating Frito Scoops and realizing that I am disastrously single. So I go to where everyone hooks up these days, Myspace, and start to peruse the various profiles of women in Minnesota ages 25-35. When I see a potential maiden of my manly charms, I almost … Read more

Ultra Dolphins

Why Are You Laugh
Robotic Empire (2006)

Prior to receiving this album, I was only aware of Ultra Dolphins by name. I'd seen their name plastered on various websites and heard a few mentions from friends of mine. But outside of that, I was clueless to what they were about. Perhaps you are in the same situation right now. Well, then Why Are You Laugh is a … Read more

Rise and Fall

Into Oblivion
Deathwish Inc./Reflections (2006)

On last year's Hellmouth Rise and Fall showed obvious signs of influence from metallic hardcore acts Integrity, Leeway, and Ringworm. With their new full-length, the Belgian punkmetal outfit have taken that sound and built on it by incorporating more rock and metal aspects to their sound, resulting in a sound that is louder, fuller, and more intense. "Forked Tongue" serves … Read more

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