Neglect
The Complete Don Fury Sessions
NGS (2005)
Neglect are one of those bands that I always heard about, but never really took the time to listen to. Musically, they are on par with the mid-ninties hardcore bands that leaned towards the metal approach as opposed to those that were punk oriented. The lyrics of are very disturbed, often filled with hateful sentiments and pessimistic attitudes. Apparently they … Read more
Neighborhood Brats
Night Shift EP
Taken By Surprise (2018)
It was such a disappointment to see Neighborhood Brats go on hiatus in 2015. I really enjoyed all their output to that point (a couple of EP’s and one full length). Luckily for me the band see the error of their ways and decided to start anew. With a new drummer and bass-player that is. That has not influenced the … Read more
Neon Belly
Self-Titled
Fort Lowell Records (2021)
Let’s call it like is it is. Punk rock has been too much of a boys’ club for far too long. And, since the style is rooted in blunt communication, what better way to call attention than putting the scene on alert on the first song of a band’s first EP? Neon Belly starts with a mission statement in “The … Read more
Neon Cities
Toulouse
Independent (2018)
The fourth in a string of 2018 releases from Denver-based synth duo Neon Cities, the Toulouse single presents a pair of tracks that showcase distinct sides of the group's sound. With warm synth and hazy, barely there vocals placed on top of a relaxed rhythm and buzzing bass groove,the more pop-oriented title track creates a nostalgic 1980s vibe replete with … Read more
New Atlantic
The Streets, the Sounds, and the Love
Eyeball (2007)
Hmmmmmm. That's the sound inside my head when I popped in New Atlantic's The Streets, the Sounds, and the Love. That is the sound of deep contemplation on what exactly New Atlantic is trying to accomplish with their first full-length. Hmmmmmm. The sound continues as I make my way through the ten songs that comprise this album. I hear pop-driven … Read more
Night Birds
Maimed for the Masses
Fat Wreck Chords (2013)
For how active a band Night Birds is, they still only have one studio full-length to their name. Instead of releasing the long-players, the band has focused on short-form EPs and Maimed for the Masses, on Fat Wreck Chords, is yet another to add to the band’s discography. This one has four songs, notably the opening title track. It doesn’t … Read more
Night Owls
Self Titled
Hex (2009)
Night Owls are a relatively new rock band from Syracuse New York. They have ex-members of some notable bands from hardcore recent past, but they only one I'd like to mention is Spark Lights the Friction who put out a great album on Trustkill many moons ago. Anyhow, Night Owls play rocking post hardcore that reminds of Quicksand boxing it … Read more
Nite School Klik
Nite School Klik
Liquid Amber (2015)
Though his own catalog has been hit-or-miss since 1996’s classic Endtroducing, I’d place DJ Shadow among the relatively few who have managed to stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly changing world of electronic music. Shadow’s own label, Liquid Amber, was formed in 2014 to provide an outlet for unique sounds, and a year later, they’ve already put out … Read more
No Apologies
Survival
6131 (2007)
Survival is the debut full-length from No Apologies. This five-piece outfit comes from the land of koalas and aborigines. This album is filled with plenty of moshy New York-inspired hardcore, but there is also a hint of Westcoast flavor - not a surprise when one discovers Todd Jones (Terror, Carry On) wrote two songs for the album. Tracks like "Survival," … Read more
No Harm Done / Offsides
Split
Seafoam (2009)
Seafoam Recordings teams up No Harm Done from Florida and Offsides from Connecticut on this limited edition split 7". The a-side features the final three tracks from No Harm Done, who just recently called it quits. This Floridian outfit continues their melodic hardcore and punk assault that follows the lead of Strike Anywhere and Rise Against. I've always found this … Read more
Nö Pöwer
No Peace
Sorry State (2013)
No Peace is the debut LP by Charlottesville, NC’s Nö Pöwer. There are subtle elements of garage and psych at play here but it’s primarily raging hardcore punk, with a noticeable emphasis on the noise. It's a primitive and blown-out style of D-beat that’s been injected with a distinctive dose of artiness and then drenched in feedback. Although he’s not … Read more
Norma Jean
O' God, the Aftermath
Solid State (2004)
Norma Jean went through a googolplex of vocalists between their last album and O' God, the Aftermath. After choosing one, the band took to the studio with Matt Bayles. Apparently they picked him because they love Botch. Funny, I remember this band being nu-metal with a DJ. The album opens with typical moshy metalcore, nothing surprising. On the second track, … Read more
Northern Towns
Good as Gold
Swagger City (2009)
Northern Towns is a new San Diego outfit that features former members of Over My Dead Body and Please Mr. Gravedigger. Before you get excited about the band drawing from their past, I should tell you that this band sounds nothing like those bands at all. Good as Gold leads off with "Latchford," a song with a Clash-esque rhythm and … Read more
Now or Never
Now or Never
Cock Suck (2007)
Now or Never features members of Gordon Ivy & The Jaybirds and play fast melodic hardcore that came from Scandinavia in the mid to late 90's. I see your Pridebowl and raise you a Wizo and a Satanic Surfers. Now or Never are completely nuts with the breakneck songs and completely inane lyrics. "Fuck this Asshole" includes this lyrical masterpiece; … Read more
Nowhere Bound
Demo
Independent (2009)
Nowhere Bound is a new hardcore band from the Chicago area and this is their four-song demo. They've got an Eastcoast flavor going on over these songs even though they hail from the Midwest. "Faith of the Faithless" is a bruising opener with crunching riffs; the solid breakdown makes this a great opener. "No Recourse" and "Joys of Winter" are … Read more
O Pioneers!!! / The Anchor
Split
Triumph of Life (2008)
The great state of Texas offers up two songs a piece from O Pioneers!!! and The Anchor. In the works for over a year, this split 7" is finally available to all who boast a beard! O Pioneers!!! offers up two cuts of dirty punk that will appeal to anyone who loves Asian Man and No Idea Records. I've had … Read more
Oak & Bone
Oak & Bone
Hex (2009)
Oak and Bone hail from upstate New York, but when you listen to their debut 7" you would definitely not assume that by any guess. While their history is rooted in hardcore punk, the three-piece from Syracuse take a different approach to the style. The 7" opens with "On Your Own or Not at All," which is a sludgy punk/grunge … Read more
Obscurus Advocam
Verbia Daemonicus
Battle Kommand (2007)
I've been told that France has been home to a few good bands over the years, but like you, aside from Air I'd be hard pressed to name them. Sure we've read about those wacky French kids jumping on the church-burning, murderous bandwagon, but can they play music? Well, let's just say they try, but don't quite get there. Obscurus … Read more
