I Wanna Die
I Wanna Die
Independent (2015)
Offering up an abrasive quintet of hardcore punk that flies by in five minutes, the 2015 self-titled demo from Oakland, California four-piece I WANNA DIE conveys the type of reckless desperation suggested by their name – the hopelessness present in the material is probably the demo’s strongest and most noticeable aspect. An opening trio of 45-50 second punk thrashers gives … Read more
Ian Lawrence Campbell Swordy
The Bull Loving Truth
Independent (2019)
I came to this book through it’s author. Ian Lawrence Campbell Swordy aka Pony. His involvement in Bent Outta Shape, Behavior and the New York art scene makes him a fascinating character in my mind’s eye. So naturally, reading his first book was an easy ask when given the opportunity. “The book is about a series of performances that started … Read more
Ice Dragon
The Soul's Midnight
Independent (2013)
As far as downright ass-dirty stoner metal goes, Ice Dragon are amongst the best. Their latest EP, The Soul's Midnight, sounds absolutely disgusting, and I mean that as a compliment. The tastefully low-quality production actually enhances the low, grumbling, psychedelic ramblings, creating an air of confused haziness about the album that I suspect could only be reproduced by copious amounts … Read more
In Desperation
Ghost Town, America
Independent (2009)
Decent enough modern hardcore that reminds me of a sped up Modern Life is War or a less metal Killing the Dream. Someone is itching for a Deathwish deal. They have really nice catchy melodic parts with some really un-needed signing... but I digress. If this band came through my neck of the woods I'd probably go see them and … Read more
Infera Bruo
Desolate Unknown
Independent (2013)
Calling your band “hellish noise” sets the bar pretty high to start with. Fortunately Infera Bruo live up to that title in every aspect. The band from Boston, featuring members of other great acts such as Trap Them, Manias and more, follows up their 2011 self-titled debut album; with their sophomore release Desolate Unknown. The band’s black metal vision is … Read more
Inhumanity Vortex
Reverse Engineering
Independent (2020)
Inhumanity Vortex started life in Poland in 2008 as the project of Tomasz Dziekoński and has slowly evolved over time into a sort of cyber tech-death metal band that has grown beyond the initial seeds of inspiration from those early days. Having released a handful of pre-production demos and EPs prior to Reverse Engineering in the winter of 2020, Inhumanity … Read more
Ink Bomb
Fiction
Independent (2019)
What I like about loads of European bands is that they sing in their native tongue. Sure, you’ll find bands everywhere that write at least part of their lyrics in English, but there are so many bands that write and sing in their mother tongue. I usually prefer that over English lyrics by non-native speakers. The quality of the lyrics … Read more
Inspire Influence
Planet Destroyer
Independent (2012)
Planet Destroyer, the debut EP from Toronto-based post-rock band Inspire Influence, is unhinged in execution, rising and falling like an endless wave of hopeless determination. Creating an atmosphere of desolation from the initial static of introductory track “Repairing,” the 5-song EP reads like a cohesive tale of intergalactic exploration through repetition, slow build-ups, and eventual climatic bursts of distorted frustration. … Read more
Invade
Invade
Independent (2006)
My roommate likes to call early 90's hardcore "The Dark Ages of Hardcore" with its metal influences, all the way to the left neo-hippie politics, poetic non-sense, and mosh parts. In many way he's right, but the beginning part of the 90's wasn't all bad and we got some great bands like Undertow, Unbroken, Integrity, Indecision, and others that start … Read more
Iron Rain
Demo
Independent (2009)
I got this demo while I was in Chicago recently. This one was being given away outside of a show. Normally when bands do this, it's a waste of their money and my time. But I figured it was worth looking into because of the show I was attending. Iron Rain offer up two tracks of metallic hardcore that brings … Read more
Isis
Live I 9.23.03
Independent (2011)
A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly basis throughout the summer of 2011. The set of five albums unfortunately does not contain any new material, but for those of you who skipped acquiring them while the band was still active, some of these albums may satiate your … Read more
Isis
Live VI 11.16.07
Independent (2012)
A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly basis throughout the summer of 2011. The set of five—wait, hold up a moment. I finished those last summer. What's with the new release?Turns out Isis still have a few cards left to play despite, you know, not actually being … Read more
Isis
Live.02
Independent (2011)
A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly basis throughout the summer of 2011. The set of five albums unfortunately does not contain any new material, but for those of you who skipped acquiring them while the band was still active, some of these albums may satiate your … Read more
Isis
Live.03
Independent (2011)
A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly basis throughout the summer of 2011. The set of five albums unfortunately does not contain any new material, but for those of you who skipped acquiring them while the band was still active, some of these albums may satiate your … Read more
Isis
Live.04
Independent (2011)
A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly basis throughout the summer of 2011. The set of five albums unfortunately does not contain any new material, but for those of you who skipped acquiring them while the band was still active, some of these albums may satiate your … Read more
Isis
Live.05
Independent (2011)
A year after their dissolution, post-metal powerhouse Isis is preparing to digitally re-release its entire live discography on a fortnightly basis throughout the summer of 2011. The set of five albums unfortunately does not contain any new material, but for those of you who skipped acquiring them while the band was still active, some of these albums may satiate your … Read more
Izah
Finite Horizon / Crevice
Independent (2009)
Europe, as the old continent, contains a great deal of culture and a long history to help shape musicians and the work. Many in the United States move on obliviously with our lives while barely noticing some of the more well known bands from there. Izah is a group from the old continent that surely is under the radar of … Read more
Jack of None
The Tattle Tale Heart
Independent (2017)
Playfully naughty lyrics might have been the first thing I noticed about Jack of None's The Tattle Tale Heart EP, but there's more to this record created by three Filipino-born siblings, A.G., Maxine, and Julian Syjuco. Things change from sultry to sinister on a dime, and the album's combination of murky, atmospheric industrial rock with dark and poetic spoken word … Read more
