First Blood
Killafornia
Trustkill (2006)
In the year 2002, hardcore/metal outfit Sworn Vengeance was on the brink of blowing up. The band had finished recording what I consider to be the best album to never see a proper release, Outstretched Arms of Damnation. In addition the band was about to embark on a tour as direct support to Hatebreed. But fame and glory were just … Read more
Terror
Always the Hard Way
Trustkill (2006)
Terror is one of the hardest bands ever. Not that being hard makes a band good, but it definitely adds a sense of credibility and relativity when listening to Scott Vogel's lyrics. In a scene, no, a world full of "pussy ass fronters" (Vogelism - 6/14/2005 - West Dundee, IL), it's nice to know there is a band that describes … Read more
Terror
One with the Underdogs
Trustkill (2004)
Terror might be the only band that could have had a successful career in music without playing a single show. The band's demo made its way online via their website and created a tidal wave of positive reviews that praised the band as the "saviors of hardcore." After the release of the demo, the band's first set of shows included … Read more
This is Hell
Misfortunes
Trustkill (2008)
Long Island's road warriors return with their second full-length, Misfortunes, laying waste to a host of notions about who they are and what they stand for. The ante has been upped, so bid in or bow out. Dogged by claims of being both a hype band, existing on word of mouth rather than talent, and a Trustkill marketing move, This … Read more
This is Hell
Sundowning
Trustkill (2006)
This sounds like what could have been the missing link between American Nightmare's two full-length LPs, the straightforward brilliance of Background Music and the more eccentric but equally great We're Down 'Til We're Underground; This Is Hell are certainly keeping hardcore fresh and new-sounding, but they're not straying so far away from their roots as to render them unrecognizable. I'll … Read more
Throwdown
Vendetta
Trustkill (2005)
Haymaker is one of the worst albums, hardcore or otherwise, I've ever heard. We're talking 'makes-Hatebreed-look-like-Converge' bad here. I honestly cannot fathom a duller, more cliched, and more mentally aggravating record ever coming out of any music scene (with the possible exception of post-rock). It was a harrowing, monstrous disappointment from a band who has managed to put out a … Read more
