Rise and Fall
Our Circle is Vicious
Deathwish Inc. (2009)
Progression in music is never an easy thing to accomplish without getting mixed reactions; the hardcore community seems to be especially critical. You're always going to have that fan base that talks about how the older material is better, which in some cases, that is true. But in other cases, development and experimentation can lead to superior songwriting and material. … Read more
Rise of Marakara
Rise of Marakara
Independent (2004)
have the toughest time reviewing material from young bands. For some reason, I feel that just because the band is young, they should have some sort of handicap in terms of review score and such. But on the other hand, if you're this young and this unprepared, you shouldn't be putting out something that is going to sound as immature … Read more
Rishloo
Eidolon
Rishloo (2007)
Music enthusiasts with more discerning tastes often feel Tool's work over the last ten years is a little - lacking. Could you really blame them for this? Whether it's a result of the group being spread too thin between other projects or maybe truly running out of ideas after "96, it's pretty obvious that Maynard James Keenan and crew have … Read more
Ritual
Wolves
Still Life (2007)
I don't know what it is but Europeans love vegan and straightedge hardcore a lot more than us Americans do, or at least they come across as more passionate about them than the average hardcore fan here. I can't explain it nor will I attempt to do so. I just know there is a greater concentration of those types of … Read more
Rival Schools
Pedals
Photo Finish (2011)
Have you ever been so excited to hear that a record is coming out after a long wait only to have it delayed longer to the point of it actually kind of sneaking out below your musical radar so to speak? Even in this modern internet age, this scenario still occurs; and honestly it drives me nuts trying to pay … Read more
Rivers Edge
New Hope for the Dead
Lifer Tapes (2018)
As a record reviewer, sometimes I find it hard to review different works by the same artists. There comes a point when I just say “this sounds like that,” which doesn’t help anyone. So as much as I’m trying to avoid that angle here, I’m going to start out by mentioning that Rivers Edge features members (and the same vocalists) … Read more
Rivers Edge
The Runaround
Let’s Pretend Records/Dead Broke Rekerds (2019)
Runaround is the third release I’ve heard from Rivers Edge, and besides feeling like a nice metaphoric album title for the band’s style – accessible DIY pop punk with a lot of unexpected turns – it also feels like the band is really coming into their own. In the past I’ve observed a “sum of the parts” vibe, sharing elements … Read more
Rivers Of Nihil
The Work
Metal Blade (2021)
The Work was one of the most anticipated metal records of the year. Let me start this review by curbing your enthusiasm and letting you know that this album is a bitter disappointment. It took me about sixteen listens (it was a fucking chore) to also find out that it’s ultimately not a legitimately bad album, but it isn’t legitimately … Read more
Riverside
Shrine of New Generation Slaves
Inside Out (2013)
Riverside is one of those surprise acts, emerging out of Poland to somehow join the ranks of Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree as one of the biggest progressive bands of the 00s. And with critically acclaimed albums like Second Life Syndrome and Rapid Eye Movement under their belt, they've proven time and time again that they can deliver powerful, complex … Read more
Rixe
Baptême Du Feu
La Vida Es Un Mus Discos Punk (2017)
More killer punk from everybody’s favorite French Oi! perfectionists. Baptême Du Feu (which translates to Baptism by Fire) is the third Rixe 7” now and they show no signs of fatigue. They’re as urgent and powerful as ever – a gruff and spirited sound that pushes adrenaline into overdrive. “Paris-Est” is a standout track. It starts off with a killer … Read more
Rixe
Coupes et Blessures EP
La Vida Es Un Mus Discos Punk (2015)
Well this was bound to happen. With so many hardcore acts flirting with Oi! for the last few years it’s not surprising that somebody finally came out like, fuck it, we’re just going to be an Oi! band. It’s not the first time by any means—there’s been the PDX crusties’ side project Criminal Damage and the Brendan Radigan-fronted Battle Ruins—but … Read more
Roaming Herds of Buffalo
Alien Canyons
Independent (2013)
Self-released in November of 2013, Roaming Herds of Buffalo’s Alien Canyons is the band’s second release to date. The Seattle-based group has described this outing as a “collaborative project” in their web-based press kit, although I’m not sure what to conclude from this vague statement. Maybe everyone played everything and everyone got songwriting credits? Maybe the band considers these types … Read more
Rob Crow
Living Well
Temporary Residence (2007)
Rob Crow is everywhere. Just the sheer amount of the bands he has been in could take up the word quota for this review. To sum it up though he has been in such bands as Heavy Vegetable, Ladies, Goblin Cock, and most notably Pinback. This disc takes a lot from Pinback and even has resemblances to Pinback's 1999 debut … Read more
Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin
Records
Rock On Records (2024)
Rob Moss was a member of one of my favourite D.C early hardcore bands, Government Issue as well as Artificial Peace. While Rob officially joined Government Issue in 1983 and played on their US tour, one could say he was a GI since the band began. Rob not only sang backup vocals on the Legless Bull E.P., he made that … Read more
Rob Zombie
Educated Horses
Geffen (2006)
It's been four and a half years since Mr. Zombie last released an album of new material. That album was The Sinister Urge and I didn't like it. It sounded like an album of Hellbilly Deluxe (Zombie's vastly superior debut solo album) b-sides. A group of orphaned songs that was never quite good enough to be adopted into a real … Read more
Robby Bloodshed
Dripping Red
Independent (2022)
Robby Bloodshed is a musician from New Jersey and has been recording since 2010. With five EP's, seven albums and a number of singles to his name, Dripping Red is his eighth album to date. The digital and CD release has seven tracks which include covers of "The Crystal Ship" by The Doors and "Growing Up and I'm Fine" by … Read more
Robby Bloodshed vs Voice Of Doom
Robby Bloodshed vs Voice Of Doom
We Are Horror Records (2023)
This four track EP is a collaboration of New Jersey's finest as seasoned punk/metal artistes Voice Of Doom and youngblood Robby Bloodshed battle it out to cover classic Misfits songs and then each others songs. Let the horrorpunk battle of the year so far, commence!! Starting off with a sample from the 1938 radio adaptation of H.G Wells's War Of … Read more
Robby Krieger
Set the Night on Fire: Lying, Dying and Playing Guitar with The Doors
Hachette Publishing (2021)
Within the canon of American countercultural rock bands of the 1960s, there is hardly one that stands out more than The Doors - not merely because of their musical output but due to the controversy the trailblazing riddle hidden an enigma that was their frontman Jim Morrison embodied with his beautifully erratic and mythological persona. Formed in 1965, the core … Read more
