Swallow The Sun
Emerald Forest & The Blackbird
Spinefarm Records (2012)
Swallow the Sun may have gotten into the death-doom metal craze a good decade after its peak, but even thirteen years on, they are still going strong, evidenced by their latest release, 2012's Emerald Forest and the Blackbird.At the core of the album are its meandering trips through doom metal, with hints of gothic metal and melodeath supplied liberally. The … Read more
Sweet Cobra
Forever
Hawthorne Street (2007)
Attempting to mix hardcore, d-beat, and riff heavy rock, Sweet Cobra does each with authority but sound unfocused when fusing them all at once. Credit is due though for attempting to splice genres, making a hybrid of crushing music. At times Forever sounds like a From Ashes Rises record, worthy of the crust title but still accessible enough to appeal … Read more
Taken Under
Silence Your Enemies
High Fidelity (2007)
Tennessee hardcore. I know what you're thinking; you thought everyone from Tennessee that was into music plays country. Well you're wrong. Although, the five gentlemen that comprise Taken Under may also dabble at playing country as a side-gig for all I know. Silence Your Enemies is the band's debut effort and is six songs (one intro and five actual songs) … Read more
Taylor Hawkins
KOTA e.p.
Independent (2016)
CEO of SPB Inc: "No."Me: "why?"CEO of SPB Inc: "Because we don't include EP's on the top 25 year end list. You were aware of this when you signed the contract"Me: "But sir, while the contract does state as such, if the EP in question is one of the best releases of the year, should it not be included?"CEO of … Read more
Technostress
Technostress
Postfact (2008)
First EP from this trio that consists of Treiops Treyfid (ex-Pitchblende) on bass and vocals, Aimee Soubier on guitar, and Karl Hill on drums (both recently of The Factory Incident). I'm hearing early PiL, some Peter Murphy, and an overall healthy respect for Manchester post-punk from the dawn of the 80's. "All is Styled" crackles and burns with some cool … Read more
Tel Aviv
Underwaters
Max Recordings (2007)
Okay this will be hard, but just try and stay with me here. Imagine this: Franz Ferdinand crossed with Radiohead. I know; it's crazy, but a few listens to the latest EP from Tel Aviv and I think you'll find it hard to argue. Imagine a kind of new wave influenced rock that you'd probably be ashamed to tell your … Read more
Temple
On the Steps of the Temple
Independent (2012)
There is one readily surprising thing about Arizonan post-metallers Temple: despite the loud ensemble sound projected in their music, the entire album is the result of the work of just two musicians. Unfortunately, that's just about the only surprise to be found on their otherwise unremarkable 2012 debut, On the Steps of the Temple.The issue is that, for all of … Read more
Tempo No Tempo
Repetition
Double Negative (2007)
Tempo No Tempo fit into that niche of bands that take equal influence from the worlds of indie rock and new wave. Musically speaking the two styles aren't that distinct from each other, so they go together rather well. Repetition is the band's second EP since forming in 2004. On Repetition the band mixes together the angular guitar melodies of … Read more
Terror
Rhythm Amongst the Chaos
Reaper (2007)
I love Terror. I don't care about what anyone has to say about this band being simple-minded or playing hardcore for the "wrong kids." Terror just flat out rules. Always have, and so far, always will. Rhythm Amongst the Chaos basically takes off where Always the Hard Way left off with Scott Vogel and company infusing the metallic overdrive of … Read more
Tessela
Rough 2 EP
Different Grooves (2014)
This drug influenced, euro-electronic laser beam, drum and bass can be very, VERY repetitive, Anxiety inducing, tough to listen to, and at times I felt like it was going to trigger a panic attack or an audible seizure.An ‘80s pop-locking, track suit wearing dance crew wouldn't touch this album that brings no emotion or anything of value to the table. … Read more
Tex, Don and Charlie
You Don’t Know Lonely
EMI (2017)
Bonafide legends of the Australian music scene, Tex, Don and Charlie are somewhat an Australian super group with gravitas aplomb.Comprised of Tex Perkins (The Cruel Sea, Beasts of Bourbon), Don Walker (Cold Chisel) and Charlie Owen, the trio first incarnated in 1993 and has since released an album every 12 years. The formula has not changed much, despite the passing … Read more
The Arson Choir
Invisible Monsters
War Against Records (2020)
The Arson Choir are another fine representative of the new wave of American mathcore. They’re a pretty young band, but they have a lot of power in them and they sure know how to lay it down. Their balls to the wall delivery paired with chunky and groovy riffs, as well as the classic dissonant screeches is very appropriate and … Read more
The Bakerton Group
The Bakerton Group
Emetic (2007)
What do you get when you take Clutch and tell Neil Fallon to take a hike? You get The Bakerton Group. While you might think you've lost a lot, and you have, you've also found something new, different, and unique. The Bakerton Group is the band' debut full-length and first for Emetic Records. I honestly hadn't heard this project's previous … Read more
The Black Black
Careful on Your Way Out
Ewel Records (2021)
If one were to define post-punk as the departure from the musical rawness and simplicity of punk rock and the adoption of dancey rock elements, Brooklyn-based The Black Black would fit the bill quite well. Their third long-player spans eight tracks, which sonically traverse bass-centric territory between 1980s sentiments left in the wake of Joy Division and the groovy end … Read more
The Bobby Lees
Bellevue
Ipecac (2022)
Every once in a long while a band comes along that’s a true pleasure to discover. A sonic kick in the ass for these weary old bones. The Bobby Lees are just such a band. The release of the Hollywood Junkyard e.p. earlier this year pricked up a lot of ears and served up a mean prelude to the new … Read more
The Bonus Army
Negative Outlooks
Arrest (2009)
Well what do we have here? Ten songs on one 7", plus a cartoon image of a zombie getting their head lopped off by an axe. Yup, it's hardcore and the nastier side of it. Negative Outlooks reminds me of Think I Care with its heavy yet punishing fast hardcore with gruff shouted venom spewed vocals. Negative Outlooks is the … Read more
The Cancer Kids
The Possible Dream
Youth Attack (2006)
The Cancer Kids call Massachusetts home. But unlike many of the artists from the state, they don't play tough-guy hardcore of Death Before Dishonor or over-the-top melodic hardcore of Have Heart. Instead The Cancer Kids opt for fast-paced hardcore punk with hints of technical flare and grindcore. If you put Infest, The Dillinger Escape Plan's first EP, and Black Flag … Read more
The Carvels NYC
Late Night Heart EP
Die Laughing Records (2020)
If you follow Scene Point Blank you might be aware I like The Carvels NYC. So a new EP by their hand is good news in my book. Even if it only has three tracks and leaves me hungry for more. Again.This is going to be a short review. There is not much new to mention about this EP. The … Read more
