Heaven Shall Burn
Deaf to Our Prayers
Century Media (2006)
For the uninitiated, Heaven Shall Burn is a German metal band that is heavily influenced by Bolt Thrower. Deaf to Our Prayers is their fourth proper full-length, along with splits with Caliban and Fall of Serenity, as well as a rarities collection. This new album continues their hyper politicized message in their lyrical content that is informed by the vegan … Read more
Heinali And Matt Finney
Ain't No Night
Paradigms Recordings (2011)
This two person project that spans continents has gotten a bit more attention in the past year or so. Having released a couple of EPs online (with a small number of physical pressings) along with a few covers and a soundtrack for an art installation. All of these things give insight into this project the covers including Joy Division and … Read more
Heinali And Matt Finney
Ain't No Night
Paradigms Recordings (2011)
Much has been said about this project - spanning a vast ocean, two continents and many genres in between - so I don't feel the need to get into too many specifics about them. The two behind the band are Heinali, based in the Ukraine, and a composer of ambient soundscapes and electronic drone-like beauty, and Matt Finney, an American … Read more
Hint Hint
Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)
Hint Hint will make you dance, but they'll also leave you with somewhat of an empty feeling. This is one of those bands who are definitely good, but lack a sound original enough to have carved their own little niche in your mind. I'm definitely thinking that Hint Hint will be able to do something really good in the future, … Read more
Hint Hint
Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)
With bands like Hot Hot Heat getting big, it's no doubt you'd see a ton of bands that are similar get recognized. Such is the case with Hint Hint. This is their first release and I must say I am somewhat let down from all the hype this band has been getting. Although the record is alright, I was just … Read more
Hint Hint
Sex Is Everything
Cold Crush (2003)
Think of Ink and Dagger. Then think of Ink and Dagger without their great singer. Then mix in a bit of Adult and you'll have Hint-Hint. The first song starts it off well, but it isn't really a sign of anything. The second song is anti-climatic, which would be fine if it weren't building up to anything, but it seems … Read more
Hollow Ground
Cold Reality
Organized Crime (2005)
I can't possibly make this a lengthy review. I can't! I've tried to think of creative ways to give my opinion on this piece of melodic, tough-guy hardcore, "in the vein of Comeback Kid, Hatebreed, and Terror." But I keeping finding myself back at that very phrase which sits mid-page on the band's bio that Organized Crime sent out. "...in … Read more
Hollow Ground
Cold Reality
Organized Crime (2005)
An open letter to Hollow Ground and Organized Crime Records I'm not a detective or a mind-reader. I am neither Columbo, Criswell, nor Veronica-fucking-Mars. I'm just a guy who gets a meager paycheck working with kids that likes to review albums in his spare time. Don't make me search all over the internet for information on your band. Did you … Read more
Hot Cross
Cryonics
Level Plane (2003)
A new record from Hot Cross. I was so giddy to get my hands on this promo. Unfortunately, the giddyness wore off while listening to it. There are some good tracks on this record but their new approach to melodic singing killed this record. "Pretty Picture of a Broken Face" is, without a doubt, the worst song ever recorded by … Read more
Hot Cross
Cryonics
Level Plane (2003)
"It's the band that has the singer from Saetia in it", was the first thing I heard about Hot Cross. Later I also heard it contains ex-members of Neil Perry and Joshua Fit For Battle, but being a huge fan of Saetia I immediately was forced to check this new all star screamo band. The first thing I noticed was … Read more
Hot Cross
Risk Revival
Equal Vision/Hope Division (2007)
If you consider yourself a fan of traditional screamo, you're already familiar with Hot Cross's roots. If not, no big deal. Just click your way over to Wikipedia and do a bit of research (it's worth knowing a band's origins). Risk Revival is the perfect album name for a band that lost one of its guitarists and avoided a break-up. … Read more
Hot Cross
Risk Revival
Equal Vision/Hope Division (2007)
Contemporary hardcore is beginning to swing toward a repetitive joke. If drop-d jun jun's and massive amounts of double bass explosions followed by 2-step drum beats sounds familiar, then you know what I mean. Hardcore is not about the breakdown, well not in the common sense of the word anyway. Hardcore is about aggressiveness and honesty. Unfortunately, many upcoming artists … Read more
Hot Rod Circuit
Been There, Smoked That
Triple Crown (2003)
This album consists of older stuff that is out of print, hence the witty album name. I'm a fan of "Very Best Friend", the first song; it has a nice pop rock feel. But after that it is like coming down after smoking a fatty bowl, or bowel if you don't know how to spell. The rest of the album … Read more
Hot Rod Circuit
Been There, Smoked That
Triple Crown (2003)
Well this record does win something. Worst album cover and album name of the year thus far. I didn't like their first ep the first time I heard it so it did nothing for me on this cd. Nothing else on the cd compares to anything that they have done lately. The cover songs don't help this cd any either. … Read more
Hot Rod Circuit
Been There, Smoked That
Triple Crown (2003)
I didn't hate this album, that's about all I can say for it. Nothing on this CD stood out in my mind at all, it all seemed pretty bland and boring. If you're a HUGE fan of Hot Rod Circuit's post-emo indie/pop sound they have going, you might want to check this out, I wouldn't go out of my way … Read more
Interpol
Antics
Matador (2004)
Turn on the Bright Lights is a great debut album. The guitars are compelling when paired with Paul Banks's jarring vocals, letting bizarre lyrics like "subway is a porno" slide. The bass lines are far from boring and the drumming is precise and deliberate. All this talent was fused into a euphoric experience that was warmly received by the press. … Read more
Interpol
Antics
Matador (2004)
Well Scene Point Blank-ers, I've got some bad news: there will be nothing shocking in this review. The reason for this is that there is nothing surprising about the new Interpol album. I know that's what all the other reviews are saying as well, but I'm going to have to agree with them on this one. I could lie to … Read more
Inventing Edward
We've Met An Impasse (By Midnight We'll Be Naked)
Substandard (2003)
This CD was suggested to me by staff member Robby. I put off listening to it for a day. Really bad decision. Featuring a handful of members from Under A Dying Sun, this is not the type of band you would expect. Atmospheric, almost haunting guitars, female vocals, spoken word, this CD has it all. The first spoken word track, … Read more
