Cursed
Blackout at Sunrise
Goodfellow (2007)
Cursed are one of those hardcore/punk bands that are genuinely worth people's time and attention. Their music is vicious, honest, and gloriously consistent. The lyrics are both personal and politically driven. One could almost say that topically there is something for everyone, particularly for those into heavy punk rock and hardcore. Every record that they release is almost guaranteed to … Read more
Cursed
II
Goodfellow (2005)
Cursed - the movie or the band? Well considering one is likely a story lifted from a Goosebumps book and transferred to the filmscreen, I don't really think there's much up for debate. I can guarantee you that Cursed, the band, will not just entertain you but will knock you to the floor with their intense hybrid of hardcore, punk … Read more
Cursed
III
Goodfellow (2008)
Finally, I seriously have been waiting for this album since Cursed released last year's furious EP, Blackout at Sunrise. No, scratch that because the wait has been going since I listened to II (their obviously titled second album), and while Blackout at Sunrise was a bit of a tease and served to get listeners through until III. Cursed lay down … Read more
iamthethorn
You are the Lamb
Goodfellow (2007)
Nevermind the seeming monopoly that John Pettibone has on vocals for metal and hardcore bands in the Seattle area. The band, dubbed iamthethorn, that began as a project between he and friend Aaron "Edge" Connell (former member of Himsa, Genuine, Harkonen, The Horde, Grievous, Hellephant, Christ, Autumn, Grip Inc, and probably countless others) lays down its debut EP You are … Read more
Intronaut
Void
Goodfellow (2006)
Intronaut is a four piece from California made up of members of Uphill Battle, Impaled, Exhumed, and Anubis Rising, although they sound nothing like I remember these other bands. Intronaut sounds more like a technical metal band with jazz-like flourishes. Void is their first full-length after the wittily monikered EP, Null. "A Monolithic Vulgarity" leads off Void like a jazz … Read more
Passion
The Fierce Urgency of Now
Goodfellow (2006)
The Fierce Urgency of Now is a record from Philadelphia, PA's Passion. Fans of hardcore and metalcore will appreciate Passion's intensity and technicality; if you're looking for breakdowns and fast-paced music, you will enjoy this album. If you aren't, you'll hate it. "Statistics Show That We Do Not Care" packs a punch, delivering lyrics against child molestation and an ear-catching … Read more
Spitfire
Cult Fiction
Goodfellow (2008)
For some god-awful reason I have a soft spot for what this band does, and the mystifying aspect of it all is that Spitfire are surely not great musicians nor are they particularly gifted songwriters. The one element of this group, particularly their post reunion album (2006's Self Help and this one, Cult Fiction, that attracts my ears is the … Read more
Spitfire
Self-Help
Goodfellow (2006)
Before we begin, allow me to digress and give a bit of background on the monstrosity that is Spitfire, because I want to get some things out of the way immediately. On their first album, The Dead Next Door, the band was vastly different from the current incarnation. This was 1999 or so; the record was recorded with Steve Evetts … Read more
The Fucking Wrath
Season of Evil
Goodfellow (2007)
I would not know the guys from The Fucking Wrath from Adam if they were walking down the street. Maybe that's the point, three working Joes that crank up the volume when not doing their day jobs. The first time I heard of this band was not long before I heard their debut Season of Evil, which is this loud … Read more
The Good Fight
Breathing Room
Goodfellow (2004)
It seems as though the popularity of real hardcore has a formulaic ebb and flow that changes with the years. A style that may draw 500 kids to a VFW hall in 1988 certainly isn't going to get the same crowd in 2004, is it? Well, given the monumental growth of labels like Bridge 9, Martyr, Deathwish and others over … Read more
The Handshake Murders
Usurper
Goodfellow (2007)
I feel like right now is an interesting juncture in "hardcore." With its popularity and accessibility, there are a lot of throwback bands that might seem progressive to some. But, really, some things are better left in the hands of either your predecessors or more capable hands. The Handshake Murders, which is an absolutely insipid, meaningless name, are unfortunately a … Read more
To the Lions
Baptism of Fire
Goodfellow (2007)
In 2005, former members of Grade and Confine, among others, resurfaced with a new project To the Lions. The band issued up a demo recording of metal-infused hardcore in the vein of 90's greats Unbroken and Integrity. Being just a demo there were the obvious flaws, but two years later the band is back with their debut full-length, Baptism of … Read more
