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Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

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Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

The Blood Brothers

Burn Piano Island, Burn
Artist Direct (2003)

I've never been insane, but if I were, I think this is what my thoughts would sound like. Although, that would require me to be one of those genius crazy people...but that great thing is that I'm pretty sure all five members of the blood brothers aren't crazy, but just genius. The music can be described as two babies fighting in a blender soundtracked by demons on acid and heroin simultaneously. I was forced to make up such a silly description of the music, because they don't really sound like any other bands besides themselves. This album has been getting so much hype from everybody to local newspaper in Seattle (their hometown) to New York Times. Luckily for them, this album lives up this hype. The songs go from hissyfits of shrill screams to "melodic" breakdowns with keyboards and glockenspiels. Besides the music, my other favorite part about this album is the lyrics. The imagery that they create in my head is like a portrait made of blood and hair. It's very beautiful and creepy at the same time. There is nothing that I do not like about this CD. Read more

The Blood Brothers

Burn Piano Island, Burn
Artist Direct (2003)

A year and a half ago, I picked up this band's first full-length CD, This Adultery Is Ripe. and brought … Read more

The Plot To Blow Up the Eiffel Tower

Dissertation, Honey
Happy Couples Never (2003)

The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower are a daring young band from California. The band comes together in … Read more

The Plot To Blow Up the Eiffel Tower

Dissertation, Honey
Happy Couples Never (2003)

I had heard one song before getting the whole album so I kind of knew what to expect from the … Read more

The Plot To Blow Up the Eiffel Tower

Dissertation, Honey
Happy Couples Never (2003)

This band was supposed to play at a show I went to a while back, but something came up. I … Read more

A Static Lullaby

And Don't Forget To Breathe...
Ferret (2003)

I know this band is something-core; I am just not sure which one. With song titles like "Love To Hate, … Read more

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One from the archives

Horseback

Half Blood
Relapse (2012)

I remember distinctly the first time I was introduced to Horseback. It was by their 2012 album Half Blood, and I'm told that my experiences were pretty standard. For the uninitiated, your first few seconds of listening to Horseback will inevitably go something like this:"Hm. This is some pretty interesting post-rocky stuff. Oh, hold on, something's messed up with this audio. I keep hearing this static thing, like someone is using sandpaper to scourge the inside of my speakers and--wait, those are the vocals? "Let's just say Horseback's most noticeable feature is that they take what folks might normally consider acceptable limits for black metal vocals's, er, blackness and then proceed to go so far beyond them that they're actually recorded with a two hour delay to account for the … Read more

More album reviews

A Static Lullaby

And Don't Forget To Breathe...
Ferret (2003)

The most fun thing I found with this CD were the song titles. The music itself combines "emo", metalcore, and pop to make something that is radio friendly and "edgy" at the same time. My favorite part about the music is the screaming, but it gets destroyed by the whiney backups that quickly become an ear sore. I don't like … Read more

A Static Lullaby

And Don't Forget To Breathe...
Ferret (2003)

Tolerable but tossable. This CD is filled with that modern hardcore edge mixed with pop melodies that the kids are going nuts about these days. This is nothing new in anyway, but it does have a few catchy songs. The background singers are sub-par, while the frontman pulls off some decent screams most of the time. If you're a fan … Read more

The Suicide File

Twilight
Indecision (2003)

An excellent debut LP from this Boston, MA band. Boasting ex-members of some impressive bands (Death By Stereo, The Hope Conspiracy, No Reply) they have come together to make an equally impressive band. All new songs with the exception of Ashcroft (formerly released on a split with THC, also my favorite song of theirs before this release), they have plowed … Read more

The Suicide File

Twilight
Indecision (2003)

Even though adding metal and hardcore together is the newest equation for success, some bands are still keeping it real. A fine example of keeping it real is this album. At the same time that they are playing hardcore, they are adding new elements into make it sound different, but nothing too drastic. The vocals are nice, they are very … Read more

The Suicide File

Twilight
Indecision (2003)

I consider myself at least somewhat picky when it comes to hardcore. At least, I don't jump at everything with fast snare; however, this album is undeniably a great hardcore record. Lots of finger pointing fun and plenty of room for floorpunching and windmills. If you're into hardcore, or even if you aren't, check this album out. Read more

Reviews by score
Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)