Various Artists
The Bananas/Rivers Edge - split
Lifer Tapes (2018)
It had been a long time since I’d listened to The Bananas – and I have to ask myself why. It’s that peppy, poppy, yet underproduced DIY thing that I basically groove on. A few seconds of “La Touraine” is all it takes to get the leg bouncing and a smile on my face. I’m not going to say that … Read more
Various Artists
The Things That Shaped Us Together
Haum Entertainment (2022)
By the time I'm writing this review, I would like to express my condolence for all the families and the victims of the police brutality in Kanjuruhan (Malang) soccer match. And this time we have a submission music coming from Haum Entertainment. Haum Entertainment is a Malang (Indonesia) based label that is known for releasing local notable emo/melodic hardcore musicians. … Read more
Various Artists
Through Trials & Plead the Fifth - Split
Crossface (2009)
Oh for the love Mike, I need to stop swooping down on these split CDs on the promo list. I am always disappointed. I mean I try to be all for new bands and their new music but Through Trials and the Plead the Fifth are trying to battle out for being the most generic hardcore band of all time. … Read more
Various Artists
Time x Heist / Without Love - Split EP
Best Life Records, Our Pride Records (2023)
Six songs a bit shy of 12 minutes, it’s the new split EP from Time X Heist and Without Love. They didn’t waste any time so why should we? Let’s get into it. Time X Heist, a straight edge band hailing from Colorado, take the first half of the album with an optimistic, but gritty, intensity. Opener ‘Keep On Fighting’ … Read more
Various Artists
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Vagrant (2005)
Tempers of music fans ran high from the day stories were posted on various sites that specific bands were to be covering songs that are heralded as classics in the genres of punk rock and hardcore. A metalcore band covering Bad Brains? A pop-punk band covering the legendary Gorilla Biscuits? Surely this is some sort of joke. Surely not. Say … Read more
Various Artists
Touche Amore/Pianos Become The Teeth - Split
Topshelf (2013)
I’m going to say it outright; I love both of these bands and when I saw hints at this split popping up on message boards I couldn’t have been more excited. Of course with this attachment there is a huge build up of expectations and I can promise you that neither band disappoints, each putting up a song that is … Read more
Various Artists
Toys That Kill/Future Virgins - split
Drunken Sailor (2013)
Pairing Toys That Kill and Future Virgins in a single record, this Drunker Sailor 7” teams up bands that have released some of my favorite records of 2011 (Western Problems) and 2012 (Fambly 42). That’s a lot of quality, an intriguing pair-up and, honestly, a lot to live up to.Does the three song EP live up to expectations? More or … Read more
Various Artists
Tunes From The Underground Postcard Vinyl Series
GC Records (2022)
Sitting down at my well-worn Arts and Crafts Mission Style desk I ponder with a quill pen firmly grasped between my index finger and thumb properly. Occasionally I dip the tip of the pen into the black ink well and glance at the ceiling lost in transition until thoughts of bitter torrid times are washed away by welcoming waves of … Read more
Various Artists
Underground Hip Hop Essentials Vol. 1
Sassbologna (2006)
It hasn't been until recently, with my discovery of artists like Ghostface Killah, that I started listening to hip hop again. I was excited when I saw this release, and knew I wanted to venture into the world of hip-hop reviews. The Underground Hip Hop Essentials Vol. 1 comp features thirteen tracks from underground rappers from around the country and … Read more
Various Artists
UNFUN/Despite Everything - Split EP
Hahaha Cool! Records (2012)
It's always cool when bands from opposite sides of the world do a split together. It worked great for Thursday and Envy. Here, we have UNFUN from Canada and Despite Everything from Greece. Both have a different brand of dirty punk-rock. In the case of this split though, the Canadians lost. UNFUN's songs have great material to dance and sing-a-long … Read more
Various Artists
United States of Hardcore
Hate Core (2007)
The title of this compilation speaks volumes about our nation. While there is an ongoing argument about who invented punk music - not that it really matters - the origins of hardcore are no secret. The U.S. birthed it and we still do it best (though there are some bands from other nations that do it well too). So what … Read more
Various Artists
Vestiges / Ghaust- Split
Replenish (2012)
So this is the immediate follow-up to the debut album The Dissent Of Man for Vestiges, sharing a split record with Ghaust (whom I had never heard of until this slab of vinyl came up to be ordered), and I distinctly recall being rather excited to hear this record based on how much I enjoyed the debut from Vestiges; but … Read more
Various Artists
We Reach: The Music of The Melvins
Fractured Transmitter (2005)
A tribute to The Melvins, in theory, is a great idea. Hell, all tribute records in theory are great ideas. They pay homage to talented bands that have been around for years and influenced countless artists. It's only fitting that they be showered with the respect that they deserve, right? Of course! Unfortunately, most tribute records don't turn out so … Read more
Various Artists
Wonk Unit/Raging Nathans - split
Drunken Sailor (2016)
This split 7” from a US band and a UK band carries a surprisingly unified sound over its four songs, two from each band. The record starts with Raging Nathans and their whoa-oh pop-punk that sounds like it’s just a hair faster than it’s supposed to be – in a good way. Listening to their two songs brings a number … Read more
Vaura
Sables
Profound Lore (2019)
Vaura is an interesting act for multiple reasons. Firstly it is the brainchild of four incredible musicians in Joshua Strawn of experimetal, dark pop explorers Azar Swan, Kevin Hufnagel of technical death metal beast Gorguts, Toby Driver of elusive post-everything act Kayo Dot and Charlie Schmid, previously of extreme avant-metallists Tombs. What is even more intriguing however is that Vaura … Read more
Vaura
The Missing
Profound Lore (2013)
Comprised by members of great acts such as Kayo Dot, Dysrhythmia, Gorguts and While Heaven Wept, Vaura find themselves in a strange territory. Somewhere between post-punk, darkwave and black metal, they unleash their second full-length, entitled The Missing. And just about a year after their debut album, Selenelion. The title track is introducing the band in the most suitable manner. … Read more
Vegas
Sagevisule
Last Anthem (2014)
The ever elusive Vegas has returned. While the band have released a scant few songs in the years since their full-length those songs have shown them maitaining a sense of quality. After a lengty wait a new EP containing four songs arrives, reflecting what Vegas is and where they may be heading.The whole shebang begins with a dark riff sounding … Read more
Vektor
Terminal Redux
Earache (2016)
The progressive thrash band from Pennsylvania is definitely very ambitious with their concept in their latest album, Terminal Redux. Their two previous full-lengths,Black Future and Outer Isolation, have already established this ambition, and the fact that their logo looks suspiciously similar to (both) Voivod used, fuels the fire. Their latest album is coming out through Earache, and will definitely make … Read more
