Mi Barrio
Good Job
Panda Empire (2008)
I'm stoked that bands out there are gluttons for punishment and seek me out to do a review of their album. That's cool. However, I have a meager complaint from now on; no more CDR copies of your release. If it's a full-length like Good Job it gets the 200 Words or Less treatment. EPs will probably be ignored completely … Read more
Middle Distance Runner
Middle Distance Runner
Independent (2007)
Dabbling coolly with grit of the 'the' band sound while borrowing ruminants of Brit rock's pop sensibility, Middle Distance Runner offer up something with the potential for a real fan based success. Hinting at better things throughout the six-track effort, the five-piece uses the formulaic idea of songwriting based around guitar/synth hooks layered with a full and strong rhythm section. … Read more
Militarie Gun
All Roads Lead to the Gun
Alternatives Label (2021)
Southern California’s Militarie Gun is a newcomer with extensive experience in the field of hardcore punk. Multi-instrumentalist Ian Shelton started this project alone early in the pandemic, later recruiting four others to accompany his sing-scream vocals: guitarist Nick Cogan (Drug Church), guitarist William Acuña, drummer Vince Nguyen (Modern Color), and bassist Max Epstein. They released two EPs this year: All … Read more
Mirrors and Wires
Colourized Audio Transmission
Headcount (2009)
Well. Colourized Audio Transmission from Mirrors and Wires is the most random album that I've received to review thus far this year. Released on Headcount Records - a mostly hardcore/punk label - we get anything but that sort. This 7" EP is a mixture of surf-punk and rock and roll. I really know little of the genre other than Dick … Read more
Miseration
Your Demons ~ Their Angels
Lifeforce (2008)
Former Scar Symmetry vocalist Christian Älvestam has left said band to focus more on his other project, Miseration. Miseration is also a melodic death metal band, like Scar Symmetry, only they take a more straightforward approach rather than a technical/progressive one. The band's debut album Your Demons ~ Their Angels may satisfy fans of melo-death but their overall sound is … Read more
Misericordiam
Unanimity and the Cessation of Hostility
Twelve Gauge (2007)
Unanimity and the Cessation of Hostility is six tracks of blistering death metal that lasts a mere fourteen minutes. And while this EP is extremely short, any longer and the band would have be charged for assault and battery. Las Vegas quintet Misericordiam unleashes a full-on attack of technically amazing riffs and drumming teamed with some of the deepest growls … Read more
Mitch Easter
Dynamico
Electric Devil (2008)
Excellent debut solo record from the former Let's Active mastermind. Of course, the sound quality is killer, considering it was recorded in his own studio. Power pop with cool guitar licks throughout makes this a consistently rewarding listen. "Time Warping," "Dusky Lair," and "Why is it so Hard?" are my favorites here. But this record is bursting at the seams … Read more
Modern English
Soundtrack
Darla (2009)
After a long hiatus, the band is back with a stunning new release. Skillfully produced again by Hugh Jones (Echo & The Bunnymen, Dumptruck), this record is the perfect mix of both sides of the band's sound. By this I mean that fans of the more brooding early 4AD material will be pleased, as well as fans looking for new … Read more
Monument to Thieves
Anyone but You
No Sleep (2009)
Monument to Thieves is the title of the second full-length from His Hero is Gone. After listening to this 7" I found faint influence from the d-beat legends on these two songs. But as hard as the members of Monument to Thieves try, they are unable to completely distance themselves from their metalcore pasts in Eighteen Vision, As Hope Dies, … Read more
Mothra
Dyes
Self Made God (2009)
Noisy manic hardcore from Poland in the vein of Deadguy, Botch, or Norma Jean. Once again completely not my thing but Mothra seem to know what they are doing with their mathy assault. I wish I had more to say about this but I really don't have any frame of reference and it's too easy for me to make Polack … Read more
Motion City Soundtrack
Even if it Kills Me
Epitaph (2007)
If you're like me, the state of Minnesota is automatically associated with one of two things: 1) Mall of America and 2) Fargo. One is awesome because it has rollercoasters in it while the other single-handedly made me scared to ever visit the states of North Dakota and Minnesota for fear of ending up in a wood-chipper. Motion City Soundtrack … Read more
Mouth of the Architect
Time and Withering
Translation Loss (2004)
It is quite likely that Mouth of the Architect has been flying under your radar for quite some time. This is unfortunate, for both them and you. The Dayton, OH outfit's debut offering is four songs tracking in at an impressive forty-three minutes, with three of them clocking in past the ten minute mark. The songs that make up this … Read more
Much Worse
Macrocosm is a Wash
Forward Records (2013)
Following a couple of excellent 7”s, the confusingly-titled Macrocosm is a Wash is the first full-length LP from this Minneapolis foursome. Spun from the same Mecca-like breeding ground as Wild Child, Total Trash, Varix, and countless others, Much Worse play a non-stop, angry, and poignant style of hardcore punk. While there is an air of reckless abandon in their approach, … Read more
Mudhoney
Digital Garbage
Sub Pop (2018)
2018 marks the 30th year of existence for Seattle stalwarts, Mudhoney. 30 years on for most bands usually means one or two tired original members clinging to the past - Rewarming leftover albums on tour while an even more tired and bleary-eyed audience leaves early because they have to work the next day. Not so with The Mudhoneys. Digital Garbage … Read more
Mug
Self Titled
Independent (2011)
Müg are a pretty new band on the punk scene of London, yet they're already making waves and booking shows left, right and centre. Formed between friends and colleagues and featuring a drummer who had never before drummed, Müg are firmly stamping their mark on the punk rock world. This coming year sees them playing Amplitude Festival, supporting The Flatliners, … Read more
Murder Practice
Prophecies of Doom
Independent (2008)
Bay Area stalwarts Murder Practice return with their second full-length, this time they've abandoned the world of plastic and CD's for vinyl (each record comes with a free digital version of the album). Prophecies of Doom shows significant growth for the group as they've matured and left behind the more cliché mosh-forward sound they offered on their debut. Don't worry … Read more
My Heart to Joy at the Same Tone
Virgin Sails
Triumph of Life (2008)
I'm not too sure about the band's namesake, but you can't always judge a book by its cover. So, I went into the new 7" from My Heart to Joy at the Same Tone, Virgin Sails, blind. This Connecticut four-piece offer up three songs on their newest EP. Their sound is a mash up of punk, indie rock, emo, and … Read more
Nazca Lines
Untitled EP
Stressed Sumo (2010)
Seattle based Nazca Lines have been garnering rave reviews since their formation in 2005 have a new three song EP which highlights the new and hopefully final incarnation of the band. Original members Cory Alfano and Brett Wedeking are here along with newcomers Andy King on drums and Ryan Minch on Bass. The first song on the EP “This Crippled … Read more
