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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)

Where Fear and Weapons Meet

Control
Eulogy (2003)

When people first get into hardcore, they say it all sounds the same. This is understandable, because a lot of it sounds the same. In this case, we are subjected to music that doesn't really have it's own sound. The music reminds me of Sick Of It All and punk rock hardcore straight up with a lack of mosh breakdowns. If you are just getting into hardcore or punk, this isn't a good start. But if you are an enjoyer of punk and/or hardcore, you will be an enjoyer of this. It's not that this isn't good, it's just that there's better stuff that I would suggest checking out, such as the new Suicide File release. I also wanted to point out that the singer's vocals remind me of Scissorhands'. Read more

Multiple Authors

Songs: Ohia

Magnolia Electric Co.
Secretly Canadian (2003)

From the first notes of the opener "Farewell Transmission" on the Magnolia Electric Co. experienced Songs: Ohia listeners will immediately … Read more

Multiple Authors

Songs: Ohia

Magnolia Electric Co.
Secretly Canadian (2003)

This is my first Songs: Ohia experience. Outcome? Excellent. Slide guitar, slow to mid-tempo songs, and a sound that can … Read more

Multiple Authors

Songs: Ohia

Magnolia Electric Co.
Secretly Canadian (2003)

After falling in love with songwriter Jason Molina's ensemble last year through the somber and deeply confessional Didn't it Rain, … Read more

Multiple Authors

Kissing Chaos

Enter With a Bullet
Fueled By Ramen (2003)

I fall somewhere in between Zed and Shane on this CD. I found some minor enjoyment in it, but there … Read more

Multiple Authors

Kissing Chaos

Enter With a Bullet
Fueled By Ramen (2003)

The latest addition to FBR's roster. I gave this 5 song EP a listen not knowing what to expect. I … Read more

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One from the archives

Enslaved

Utgard
Nuclear Blast (2020)

Experiencing a band grow and evolve is one of the most rewarding parts of being invested in music and for Enslaved, their fanbase has been given plenty of opportunities to be in awe of just how progressive and inventive the Norwegian's have been since their inception almost thirty years ago. The core of the band - Grutle Kjellson and Ivar Bjørnson - were barely out of their teens at the time but their dedication was clear from the beginning and their debut full-length Vikingligr Veldi in 1994 was the start of something extraordinary. Having formed during the second wave of black metal in the early 90s in Norway, it’s interesting to see just how Enslaved have progressed their sound from those initial steps. They have grown stronger by moving far … Read more

More album reviews

Multiple Authors

Kissing Chaos

Enter With a Bullet
Fueled By Ramen (2003)

With a name like Kissing Chaos you just want to get a teddy bear and kiss it. Or maybe I just made that up for a creative intro to a review. Which is ironic, because this isn't the most creative CD. They do use violins for the end of a song, and that would have been original if it hadn't … Read more

Multiple Authors

Children of Bodom

Hate Crew Deathroll
Century Media (2003)

This album is definitely one of the "odd men out" on this site. That is a good thing though. Sometimes you need a change of pace. The cheesy orchestra keyboard hits can get to you sometimes. The guitar work is fucking amazing. Constant double bass through the record. The vocals aren't all that bad either. Sometimes they can sound pretty … Read more

Multiple Authors

Children of Bodom

Hate Crew Deathroll
Century Media (2003)

When I first heard I was going to be reviewing this album, I automatically assumed I would hate it. My metal tastes hardly expand past a few Iron Maiden and Judas Priest records. While the lyrics and vocals are a little hard to get into for me, they aren't hard to get past. The guitar work involved some amazing metal … Read more

Multiple Authors

Children of Bodom

Hate Crew Deathroll
Century Media (2003)

So metal it has its own element on the periodic table! You can quote me on that B') I'm not familiar with metal enough to differentiate death metal, black metal, and cash money metal from each other, but I can tell this is good metal. Already I've used the word metal seven times in this review, and that probably means … Read more

Multiple Authors

Death By Stereo

Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)

Death by Stereo strike again with this new offering of their signature metal influenced melodic hardcore sound. This CD is filled with windmill-inducing finger-pointing fun. The lyrics contain the angst and political commentary you've come to expect from any hardcore band, but the typicality of the lyrical content is completely overshadowed by Efrem's insane and unique vocals. Buy it, dance … Read more

Multiple Authors

Death By Stereo

Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)

Death By Stereo's newest release and they have shown no sign of slowing down. They have taken their classic style and improved upon it in many ways. The intro to "Beyond The Blinders" is enough to get anyone head-banging. "You're a Bullshit Salesman Without A Mouthful of Samples" has some backing vocals reminiscent of AFI. A couple songs have slow … Read more

Multiple Authors

Death By Stereo

Into the Valley of Death
Epitaph (2003)

The first song I heard from this was "Wasted Words" from a Punk-O-Rama compilation. A good song, but it reminded me of their other stuff a lot. After having a complete listen to this album, I must say, first impressions from Punk-O-Rama compilations are not good. This album isn't dramatically different than If Looks Could Kill I'd Watch You Die … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

Don't be fooled by the name, this isn't a Good Charlotte cover band. HARD HARD. Anyways, this EP didn't get me incredibly pumped up, but it certainly was something worth listening to. Imagine Grade with less melody, and vocals that sound like Jeffrey Madeira from Poison the Well with lower production value. The Young and the Useless certainly aren't my … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

I am not sure if I should hate the singer or the band. The singer, whilst having a good screaming voice, doesn't really stray from it. The band is infusing hardcore with pop punk. After getting through the CD all the way I decided I hate the band more. Reason? For dragging this poor guy into such a shitty band. … Read more

Multiple Authors

The Young and the Useless

The Young and the Useless
Thorp (2003)

As the drums kicked in, literally, my third sense was exposed to the vocals of this young majesty. The kind of majesty that upon a first meeting you love. You share your food with them and eventually you say goodbye. Upon the next few meetings you grow tired and kick him in the stop button, but it keeps on going. … Read more

Multiple Authors

Cursive

The Ugly Organ
Saddle Creek (2003)

It's nice when bands can make beautiful music and still have it rock the casa. One thing that separates this from other similar "indie" bands is a cello, and just the fact that they are really damn good and don't sound like the others. The lyrics range from satire on "emo" music to stories of lost daughters (which brought a … Read more

Multiple Authors

Cursive

The Ugly Organ
Saddle Creek (2003)

The Ugly Organ is an appropriate title for the Nebraska-based Cursive's latest effort. The band has put together an album that is dissonant, cacophonous, and beautiful at the same time. On this album, the band uses a cello permanently as well as pianos, horns, and yes, organs to the original two guitars, bass, drums and singer Tim Kasher's dynamic voice. … Read more

Multiple Authors

Cursive

The Ugly Organ
Saddle Creek (2003)

Cursive, being one of my favorite bands, had a lot to live up to with this release. Usually, when I absolutely love a band's records, they tend to fail to top themselves, and thus I get disappointed. This is definitely an exception. The first few listens, I had a hard time swallowing this album and Cursive's new sound. Not that … Read more

Multiple Authors

Rufio

Rufio
Nitro (2003)

I thought this CD was going to be shit, and guess what? Within the first twenty seconds I found myself not surprised. I don't understand how one person can enjoy these vocals. This EP is only 10 minutes, but 10 minutes that I wish I didn't waste. Besides the generic pop "punk" sound they have, I'll give them some props … Read more

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