Lifetime
Lifetime
Decaydance (2007)
On the song "Can't Think About it Now," Lifetime vocalist Ari Katz notes in passing that "nobody knows if the kids gonna like it." No kidding. As anyone talking about this record will likely point out, expectations ride high. After eight years away from the fray, Lifetime returned in 2005 for a scattered series of shows before reuniting for real … Read more
Lifetime
Somewhere in the Swamps of Jersey
Jade Tree (2006)
Somewhere in the Swamps of Jersey is a two-disc set of everything Lifetime released besides Hello Bastards and Jerseys Best Dancers. It's awesome to have the song "Somewhere in the Swamps of Jersey" on a CD. The re-mastered versions of the Seveninchesare a great listen, especially for newer fans that wanted to hear exactly when Lifetime perfected the precise mixture … Read more
Light Bearer
Lapsus
Halo OF Flies/Alerta Antifascista (2011)
You know there are those moments in songs where everything is just so perfect that you don’t want it to end? You do? Fantastic. Light Bearer have this in spades and none more so than on "Prelapsus," a track so soaring in tone that the sense of elation is enough to make even me crack a smile. But let’s not … Read more
Light Bearer
Silver Tongue
Halo of Flies (2013)
The hyper literate lads of Light Bearer have always kept a level of consistency within their records. whether through the content lyrically , or musically the band have always been nothing but themselves. So here the band return with their second official LP and delving deeper into stretched out structures. While the band have never written "short" songs on this … Read more
Light Field Reverie
Another World
Avantgarde Music (2020)
I’m always on the prowl for dreamy music, especially metal. It’s harder to find things that fit that descriptor in the metal area too. After discovering sometime three or so years ago ISON, I somehow didn’t run into Light Field Reverie until earlier this year. My surprise arises from the fact that former ISON vocalist, Heike Langhans performs vocals on … Read more
Light Pupil Dilate
Snake Wine
Lifeforce (2007)
It's never easy to be a band today with many disparate influences. Today's groups are trying to become immortal or are at the very least play music that they want to hear. But the fact is that there have been so many classic bands so far that have provided us with awe-inspiring albums that it's so hard to top. So … Read more
Light Yourself on Fire
Intimacy
Seventh Rule (2008)
Light Yourself on Fire combine hardcore and death metal on Intimacy, their second release. Ex-Reversal of Man vocalist Matt Coplon gives us notes on his lyrics, which draw from writers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, and Kierkegaard. It's always a bonus to get insight into the thoughts behind an album. The six song long release lasts only seventeen minutes, … Read more
Light Yourself on Fire
Light Yourself on Fire
Kiss of Death (2006)
Light Yourself on Fire, a four piece from Tampa, Florida, play thrashy hardcore that they call "power death." The seven songs on this EP release are riddled with pinch harmonics and sludgy riffs played at breakneck speeds. The lyrics are unintelligible, but touch on topics such as bullshit on the radio, the ubiquity of neurosis, and global warming. Cover art … Read more
Lighten Up
I'd Rather be Snoring
Brain Drain (2007)
Philadelphia is always shooting out new hardcore bands. Lighten Up is one of the more recent products of the city of endless hardcore. The members of this four-piece likely have extensive collections of Revelation and Dischord records, or at least that's what one would guess while listening to their music. I'd Rather be Snoring is five tracks of super fast-paced … Read more
Lightning Bolt
Fantasy Empire
Thrill Jockey (2015)
Though much attention relating to 2015’s Austin Psych Fest (a.k.a. Levitation) was directed towards the reunion of the legendary 13th Floor Elevators, one of the biggest surprises in the lineup for me was the appearance of Rhode Island’s Lightning Bolt. I guess I never really thought of this aggressive and abrasive noise duo (made up of Brian Gibson who plays … Read more
Lightning Bolt
Fantasy Empire
Thrill Jockey (2015)
This noise rock duo has been terrifying the music scene for close to two decades now with their unconventional sound and experimental attitude. Throughout their career Lightning Bolt have stuck with the same recipe that seems to be working so marvelously for them: chaotic patterns, schizoid riffs, intense songs and with a fucking razor sharp edge to them. Fantasy Empire … Read more
Lightning Bolt
Hypermagic Mountain
Load (2005)
Preparation for listening to the new Lightning Bolt record for the first time: ' Call up around a dozen of your closest buddy's and get them to haul ass to your place. ' Splash out your last forty bucks on as much low grade beer as your arms can carry. ' Take the last ten bucks you earned pumping gas … Read more
Lightning Bolt
Wonderful Rainbow
Load (2003)
One day as I was harvesting my grain, I looked up to the heavens and asked, 'God, is sheer musicality and technical prowess enough to make a good record?' To my surprise, God responded. His booming voice chimed in with a clear as day 'Fuck no.' Then from out of nowhere, Lightning Bolt's album, 'Wonderful Rainbow fell into my hands. … Read more
Lightning Bolt
Wonderful Rainbow
Load (2003)
Lightning Bolt consists of a drummer and a bassist, and provides of flurry of electron dissonance. But don't expect music that you would think of when you hear "drum and bass", because this is a ride on a one way bus to India. Warning: there is nothing about the sound that reminds me of India. Sometimes the songs can get … Read more
Lightning Bolt
Wonderful Rainbow
Load (2003)
Wonderful Rainbow, Lightning Bolt's latest full length, is the much anticipated follow-up album to Ride the Skies that doesn't disappoint. When I listen to Lightning Bolt, whether it be live or on CD, I know that they're giving me their all and not having some message they're trying to get to the idiot public, as some bands seem to do … Read more
Lights Out
Get Out
Youngblood (2005)
When was the last time you were angry? You're on a computer at the moment, so maybe you have a sticky key that really pisses you off. Or maybe your computer speaks to you in a really sarcastic tone, and you...just...can't....take...it...anymore. At any rate, anybody can relate to anger. Hey...you also like music, I bet. Crucial music you say? Well … Read more
Lights Out
Overload
Youngblood (2005)
Overload, Lights Out first full-length, is nothing less than amazing. Honestly I was not expecting this from the band because after listening to Get Out so many times, it got rather old. But this new album still hasn't gotten old and I've listened to it every day since I got it. And the reason is that on Overload, Lights Out … Read more
Like Wolves
Like Wolves
Independent (2008)
Like Wolves is the latest product from the upstate regions of New York - Rochester/Buffalo/Syracuse. This record is the band's demo recording pressed on a limited silk-screened 7". What you get from Like Wolves is fast and aggressive hardcore with metal-tinged accents. The music is somewhat gritty and the production is raw; this suits Like Wolves' sound perfectly. And then … Read more
