Population Reduction
Each Birth a New Crime
Tankcrimes (2008)
Like weed? What about beer? Okay, here's the clincher: what about loud as shit cynicism rammed into your sloping skull at diarrhea speed? Yeah? Check out Each Birth a New Disaster, the first album by Population Reduction, a two man grind band from San Francisco that drills your eardrums with blast beats, the blackest of thrash riffs, and death metal … Read more
Post Pink
Too Pooped to Pip
Independent (2015)
Sounding like the result of glue-huffing fourteen-year-olds being let loose in a recording studio, Too Pooped to Pip, the 2015 demo from Baltimore, Maryland’s Post Pink, contains some of the most crude and snotty punk rock I’ve heard in quite some time. It may be surprising then that three of the group’s four members are female: listening to the singer … Read more
Powernap
Oreosmith EP
Asian Man (2015)
Oreosmith, whatever the hell that title means, is the first release from Powernap and it’s familiar and powerful, leaving curious signs of where the band may develop. The general sound is gruff, mid-tempo punk a la Jawbreaker or The Broadways.The EP is 6 songs long, clocking at 18 minutes and it keeps a defined sound throughout. The mid-tempo numbers like … Read more
Powerplant
A Spine/Evidence EP
Static Shock Records (2020)
Elvis fronting Joy Division, That was the first thing that came to mind when the first song on this five song EP kicked off. Then my thoughts continued on to Gallon Drunk’s punk blues. Deep, brooding and slow and it actually sounds a bit different to the remaining quartet. Theo Zhykharyev is crooning like some drunk, evil Elvis (not Danzig!) … Read more
Pressure
Beasts
Burn Bridges/High Fidelity (2006)
So we normally stick to reviewing albums that have been released within the last six months, but sometimes we make exceptions. I don't know why we didn't cover Pressure's Beasts already, but we haven't. So I apologize. This LA outfit pretty much destroys all on this six-song 7". Over the course of the record the band unleashes an off kilter … Read more
Primal Age
A Hell Romance
Customcore (2008)
A Hell Romance is my first exposure to French metal/hardcore hybrid Primal Age. Prior to this release they've knocked out a few other recordings, garnering a name for themselves in Europe and shows with plenty of big names. On this twelve-song full-length they unleash a quite powerful and punishing metalcore mixture in the style of xMaroonx, Turmoil, Hatebreed, and even … Read more
Primordial
To the Nameless Dead
Metal Blade (2007)
When I think of "folk metal," I think of the scene in This is Spinal Tap with the dwarf dancing around the tiny Stonehenge. This is because I'm incredibly immature. The term is actually used to define any metal band that incorporates its country of origin's indigenous sound within their own. Within this framework, Enslaved, Bathory and later year Burzum … Read more
Pristina
Khe Sanh
Bombfarm (2008)
Pristina is a metal/hardcore outfit from Connecticut. The arrival of their latest EP, Khe Sanh, to my doorstep was a pleasant surprise, one that was not expected but is now appreciated. This group of individuals delivers a fairly heavy and burly concoction of metal-core. Their sound is quite gritty and raw and, well, very dirty sounding. At points I found … Read more
Protagonist
States
Paper + Plastick (2011)
Protagonist made their name a couple years ago by releasing a strong skate punk record. This is to say they brought back the glory days of Pennywise or Millencolin. Fast riffs and melodic vocals with a ton of sing alongs ensued. The band must have read the reviews because nothing has really changed. This is not to complain either since … Read more
Protestant
Reclamation
Halo of Flies (2012)
Protestant have around since 2007, yet it feels like longer. Mind you this isn't a put down as much as it is a reflection upon their multitude of releases. In the last 6 years the band has managed to cobble together a discography that reaches into the double digits. Throughout said discography the band has managed to broaden their original … Read more
Protestant
Stalemate EP
Halo of Flies (2011)
Since 2004 the crusty troupe of Protestant has been blasting out fierce songs with reckless abandon. So with that said their most recent release, after a nearly uncountable number of records, comes to us through Halo Of Flies. It does seem rather tough at first glance to see how this sticks out from the labels bread and butter. That is … Read more
Provoke / Tempo 38
Split
Independent (2007)
This is going to be the last split CD I ever review for Scene Point Blank. Okay, this is going to be the last split CD I ever review of two unknown bands that I review for this site. Sorry, split CDs are becoming the bane of my existence as I try and think of something to say about two … Read more
Puppy and the Hand Jobs
I Hate Everything
Black Gladiator / Slovenly Recordings (2019)
It'd be quite easy to write off (the fantastically named) Puppy and the Hand Jobs for making self-described “trash rock and roll.” Much as is the case with bands like The Dwarves however, while the band does produce vulgar rapid-fire punk music that seems to have been recorded as “hot” as possible, there’s an undeniably catchiness to their music. 2019’s … Read more
Pussy Cactus
HE'S FAST
Independent (2014)
Connecticut musician Pussy Cactus is more than just another quirky and boisterous noise pop girl. With her new five-track EP entitled He’s Fast, Pussy Cactus shows that she can lyrically be very wise and philosophical.On her glum “I Call My Dick Cheney,” Cactus preaches to the human race that “we are all a baby/ we are all a teenager/ we … Read more
Pyramid Scheme
What Will We Do Next?
Art Fraud (2006)
Pyramid Scheme play spazzy hardcore in the vein of, well, Spazz or maybe What Happens Next?. Completely not my thing and the vocals are making the neighborhood dogs tremble in pain and fear. I'm sure there are fans of these type of over-the-top scream your head off play as fast as fuck type punk bands. I'm just not one of … Read more
Radio War
The Rising of the Talentless
Copper Lung (2008)
Richmond has always had an impressive hardcore scene, so it's no surprise to hear good things from the city in Radio War. The Rising of the Talentless is the band's first label release and the second for upstart Copper Lung Records. This 7" comes packed with four tracks of gritty and groove-heavy hardcore punk. "The Boy Gangs of Richmond" is … Read more
Radiohead
A Moon Shaped Pool
XL Recordings (2016)
A Radiohead album release has become akin to finding folding money under a seat cushion. It doesn't happen often and when it does, it's usually a surprise.Such was the release of A Moon Shaped Pool. No one expected it, but then...it was just there. More specifically, the announcement of it came only a week before the release and was accompanied … Read more
Rampage
Limit of Destruction
Lockin Out (2007)
Boston-based hardcore outfit Rampage unleash thirteen tracks of thrash influenced hardcore on Limit of Destruction. Some of the cuts here take on a definite New York hardcore vibe, while others incorporate a more tharshy and early crossover sound of D.R.I. The title-track was definitely my favorite song on this 12", it had a good groove and nice 90's styled breakdown. … Read more
