The Prize Fighter Inferno
My Brother's Blood Machine
Equal Vision (2006)
There are some things in life that you either love or hate, and one of these are the vocals of Coheed and Cambria frontman and creative mastermind Claudio Sanchez. Much like the notoriously high-pitched Geddy Lee (of Rush), Sanchez has a unique style of singing that is palatable to some, and to others comparable to the wailings of a pre-pubescent … Read more
The Proselyte
Our Vessel's in Need
Gypsyblood (2014)
Proselyte return with their newest EP, Our Vessel’s In Need, which also marks the first release for Gypsyblood records ( the label of Stavros Giannopoulos of The Atlas Moth) and they really nail it. The insane trio from Boston throw everything they got in this EP, putting together their admiration for bands such as The Melvins alongside acts like Cave … Read more
The Psyke Project
Guillotine
Swarm Of Nails (2013)
The Psyke Project have been terrorizing the metallic hardcore scene since the mid 00s. With their albums steadily increasing in quality, and considering that the quality has been set quite high even with their debut album, Samara that really means something here. The dark sound of the band came into full realization with their sophomore album, Daikini while their utter … Read more
The Quit
Minus Tide
Tindrum (2008)
Starting an indie album with a song called "Manchester" is a little bit like putting the word "Metaphor" in the title of a poem. It's obvious; a red flag. Given Manchester's place in the history of indie albums, it's about as subtle as the dude in the chicken suit outside the tire shop. HEARTBROKEN POP!! reads the sandwich board, heavy … Read more
The Raconteurs
Broken Boy Soldiers
XL Recordings (2006)
A raconteur is defined as "one who tells stories and anecdotes with skill." A skillful storyteller draws in his audience with an introduction that makes them want more. "Steady, as She Goes," the first single from The Raconteurs debut album Broken Boy Soldiers, is this introduction. At first listen to "Steady, as She Goes," you may think, "Oh, it's The … Read more
The Rapture
Echoes
Universal (2003)
The Insound Tour Support Vol. No. 1 packed a few wallops of fantastic music that drew my attention; one of these wallops is known as The Rapture. I felt a great need to go out and get "Echoes", the song, on a Rapture album so I could really experience what they are for myself. Well, that time is now, and … Read more
The Rapture
Echoes
Universal (2003)
Something needs to be said about the infiltration of this dance rhetoric in the punk scene. I'm guessing some part of it came from Emma Goldman's ubiquitous, "If I can't dance to it, its not my revolution." This sentence, thought the scenesters, why not make it a call to arms (and legs) for all punk kids to "get down"? To … Read more
The Rebel Spell
Last Run
Rebel Time Records (2014)
In many ways The Rebel Spell’s Last Run is a depressing album. The cover art depicts a feeble, aging anthropoid trying desperately to hold back an immense industrial wave. It’s clear that he won’t be able to stand his ground for long. The album title itself can be interpreted as an ominous prediction for the fate of our civilization. And … Read more
The Recluse
Summer Showers
Heart In Hand (2009)
Summer Showers is my first exposure to Alabama group The Recluse. I swore I heard their name before, in fact I think I saw them once... maybe not. I can't quite place where/why/how I know them. "Pre-Death Realizations" is the leading cut and it is an odd song as it walks the line between equal parts melodic hardcore and metallic … Read more
The Red Baron
My First Love
Blood & Ink (2009)
Christian hardcore isn't exactly my thing but I was willing to give The Red Baron's debut album, My First Love, a fair, unbiased listen only to find out that the record is everything I'd fear it would be: preachy, generic and forgettable. What we have here is twelve tracks of straight-edge and Christian-inspired hardcore songs where the band isn't afraid … Read more
The Red Chord
Clients
Metal Blade (2005)
Since the release of 2002's Fused Together In Revolving Doors, The Red Chord has slowly but surely become one of the most popular and respected bands throughout the hardcore/metal scene. Fusing together an amalgam of various styles of heavy music, the band's sound refuses to be typecast into any one specific genre. Drawing influences from hardcore, thrash metal, and grindcore … Read more
The Reds
Fugitives from the Laughing House
Tarock (2008)
Fugitives from the Laughing House comes twenty years after The Reds released their first single. Despite such a history, the band is not a household name and, with Fugitives from the Laughing House being only the band's second full-length since 1984 (sixth total) it's not that they've been overly prolific. While I am unfamiliar with most of the band's releases, … Read more
The Reed Sea
No Help
Independent (2009)
Hailing from Oregon, this four-piece outfit has brought forth a four-song EP titled No Help. The title of the EP is fitting as the band has recorded and packaged the entire release themselves. Granted, it's limited to screen printed cardboard sleeves, but that's still cool. I appreciate the DIY effort. "Holy Pigs" is the lead song and immediately you're greeted … Read more
The Rememberables
The Rememberables
Adagio830 (2017)
Is this bandname some sort of challenge the bandmembers set for themselves? A goal to achieve so to say: be remembered? Is this debut full-length their first step on a clear defined path? So many questions pop up in my head just by the name alone. This album was brought to my attention with the statement it was a great … Read more
The Replacements
Color Me Obsessed
What Were We Thinking Films (2012)
There are really only a couple of formulas that music documentaries take: the overdone Behind the Music drama style and the self-serving rehashing-our-glory-days/let’s-sell-some-soundtracks docs. Director/producer Gorman Bechard has added a third style: that of the fanboy. Axing convention, Bechard has put together a two-hour film about the Replacements that doesn’t only skip talking with the band’s members, it doesn’t play … Read more
The Reptilian
Boys Life EP
Count Your Lucky Stars (2009)
Angular, discombobulated yet tuneful and melodic 90's styled emo. I haven't heard a band like this in quite some time and there's probably a good reason for that. The Reptilian is decent enough with their jangly guitars and drums that sound they're falling down a flight of stairs in time but they are also nothing I can fully enjoy. All … Read more
The Reptilian
Full Health
Count Your Lucky Stars (2010)
The Reptilian come with little to no notice. The Michigan band has been around for almost 4 years now with only a handful of releases. Taking a page from the older school of angular screamo similar to current bands such as Touche Amore and La Dispute. Focusing more on feeling than just sounding "nice". The four piece keep each song … Read more
The Residents
Animal Lover
Mute (2005)
The Residents are an anomaly. This is an age where most music is the same regardless of how deep the scratch is. But whether their music is at its most simplistic and frivolous, or challenging and complex, there's an underlying malevolence beneath the songs that somehow make it seem all the more beautiful. Animal Lover is the group's umpteenth recording … Read more
