Birushanah
Akai Yami
Level Plane (2008)
Three songs, forty minutes. Akai Yami was my first introduction to Japan's Birushanah. The band uses two metal percussionists as well as a drummer, a fretless bassist and guitarist. "Jyodo" is a calm and intriguing opener that features traditional Japanese percussion. However, this doesn't last long, and the twenty-minute track, "Akai Yami," begins. Vocals vary greatly during this song. Long-held … Read more
Bison B.C.
Lovelessness
Metal Blade (2012)
Every band reaches their peak at some point. Some blow their wads right out of the gate and spend the rest of their careers desperately trying to recreate an inexplicable combination of luck, talent, and inspiration. Some clumsily struggle through multiple albums worth of missteps before finally finding their collective voice. Others allow you to tag along on their journey … Read more
Bitter End
Bitter End
Malfunction (2008)
Texas hardcore powerhouse Bitter End return with a brand new 7" EP. You get two brand new cuts of punishing New York-flavored hardcore on this limited vinyl release. Following a short intro track "Purgatory" slams you in face like an unexpected punch. You get clobbered with searing riffs and throaty yells. It's a slamming grove that doesn't stop, save for … Read more
Bitter End
Climate of Fear
Malfunction (2007)
There was a brief period in my life when I lived in Texas. During that time, I attended quite a number of hardcore shows that were always overflowing with young and energetic bands of youthful individuals. Even though I've moved on and live elsewhere, I must say that I still keep tabs on Texas because there is constantly a flux … Read more
Bitter End
Mind in Chains
Malfunction (2006)
Bitter End is a five piece hardcore band from Helotes, Texas of all places. Helotes is a smaller city that is just northeast of San Antonio. Right now, this is the farthest place I can think of that I would find a band playing NYHC in the vein of Leeway and Killing Time. Okay, I know there are other bands … Read more
Biznaga
Gran Pantalla
Slovenly (2020)
Gran Pantalla is the third LP from Spain’s Biznaga. It’s predecessor, Sentido Del Espectáculo, was quite successful in Spain and numero tres comes with the lofty promise in the press material as “If Joe Strummer were actually from Granada, The Clash would have sounded something like this.” It’s also the band’s first record featuring collaborative songwriting, instead of each writer … Read more
Björk
Biophilia
Nonesuch (2011)
I have immense respect for Björk. She combines all of the showmanship and bombast of pop artists like Lady Gaga with the complex and intricate composition skills of electronic artists like Aphex Twin. She's one of the few pop artists that continue to push their own creativity with every release, and it is more than clear on her eighth studio … Read more
Björk
Medúlla
Elektra (2004)
Pop music usually isn't something that offers much variety in terms of groundbreaking artistic expression, innovation, and, when it all comes down to it, quality. In the MTV generation of plastic creativity, few dare to venture into the realm of experimentation for fear of losing that ever-so-valuable celebrity clothing line, and dropping off the Top 40 charts. For every Björk, … Read more
Bl'ast!
Blood!
Southern Lord (2013)
Southern Californias' Bl'ast are certainly not new by any stretch but possibly forgotten by most to the annals of time. Hardcore is a scene that attempts to treasure the past while forgetting certain standard bearers and originators as suits the times. Southern Lord has managed to unearth a forgotten chapter of hardcore history with this record of forgotten and remastered … Read more
Black Altar/Vulture Lord
Deathiah Manifesto
Odium Records (2022)
I'll be completely honest with you I am a bit of an amateur when it comes to black and death metal. I am only really familiar with the more well known bands of the genre; Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone, Carcass, Entombed and so on. I'm slightly embarrassed to admit to knowing almost nothing about Black Altar or Vulture Lord until choosing … Read more
Black Anvil
As Was
Relapse (2017)
Black Metal as a musical genre is not known for it's subtlety. The pendulum will usually swing between low-fi heavily distorted guitar and blast-beats or overwrought, overproduced operatic epics. But Black Anvil is a band of a different color. Hailing from NYC, they've managed to make a more accessible Black Metal sound without sacrificing any of the chief tenets that … Read more
Black Anvil
Hail Death
Relapse (2014)
Black metal is cool now right? Not to complain. I enjoy the genre, generally speaking, and the statement isn't a cut on Black Anvil as a band. It does seem like there are millions of BM bands coming out of the woodwork at this point. The skill or adherence to the genre are always up in the air. Black Anvil, … Read more
Black Boned Angel
The Endless Coming to Life
20 Buck Spin (2008)
Sometimes, curiosity completely gets the best of me, as is the case with my musical listening habits. And because of that I do hear quite a bit music that takes a while to process, like Black Boned Angel. Admittedly, the first exposure of Black Boned Angel to which I was privy, can be attributed to the collaboration with Nadja, Christ … Read more
Black Breath
Razor to Oblivion
Southern Lord (2009)
Holy Moses! Do you need a new recipe for a Molotov Cocktail of ROCK?! Mix one part Motörhead with two parts dirty, smelliest hardcore this side of Poison Idea. Shake vigorously. Then release it onto the headbanging masses. I am usually not into metal but when it is played with such vigor and with such a balls out attitude even … Read more
Black Breath
Sentenced To Life
Southern Lord (2012)
Black Breath came out of the depths of the Seattle hardcore scene about 6 years ago and released a sole demo before getting the eyes and ears of the infamous Southern Lord. Since then they have managed to make a name for themselves playing a well thought out mix of hardcore and classic metal (in this case meaning Motorhead and … Read more
Black Cloud
Demo
Independent (2009)
Sometimes, there are chances that demos can surprise you while at other times they make you wish that you never put it on your stereo in the first place. Black Cloud's nondescript demo (in the most classic of terms), with its hand made heavy cardstock cover and barely visible cover image and homemade feel, falls squarely in the former category. … Read more
Black Cobra
Chronomega
Southern Lord (2009)
Black Cobra have quite an impressive sound considering they're only a two-piece band consisting of a guitarist and drummer. The duo consisting of Jason Landrian on guitar/vocals and Rafeal Martinez (ex-Acid King) on drums do a pretty good job of delivering a strong sludge metal sound that remains consistent throughout on their third album, Chronomega. Already with two albums under … Read more
Black Cobra
Feather and Stone
At A Loss (2007)
Range is something music critics put a lot of emphasis on, and this isn't without warrant. A band's ability to cater to a broader spectrum of people is a needed skill in today's love it/hate it climate of preference. Though all music could be said to be progressing today, for some reason heavy metal produces the most consistent visible evolution. … Read more
