Verse
Aggression
Bridge Nine (2008)
I think I've read more hyped up reviews of Verse's third album Aggression than I've actually listened to it. I keep seeing a reoccurring trend in these reviews on how Verse is a breath of fresh air in a rather stagnant scene when it comes to popular hardcore bands. There seems to be an influx of hardcore that would rather … Read more
Vessels
White Fields and Open Devices
Cuckundoo (2008)
Post-rock is a peculiar beast; it's seemingly very difficult to achieve a unique sound in the field, especially after the pioneers managed to diversify into a set of forerunners creating the inevitable chorus of copyists. Given that the only two real distinctions of the genre are a generally low use of vocals and the abandoning of a typical verse/chorus structure, … Read more
Vietnam Werewolf
Ohio's City
Independent (2008)
Ever listen to a band and just know if you lived in the same city as them that you would be good friends with them? Vietnam Werewolf comes off to me as one of those types of bands. They are comprised of four nerdy, scruffy looking Nerf-Herder type guys that like their beer and probably wouldn't annoy the living shit … Read more
Virgins
Miscarriage
Kiss of Death (2008)
Orlando's Virgins play hook orientated, chorus heavy punk with scratchy throat vocals. The three-piece formed from the ashes of New Mexican Disaster Squad and their sound is a logical development. While the band has clear roots in early hardcore, they maintain an approach that's easier on the palate with a stronger focus on catchiness instead of sheer ferocity. "Another's Gun" … Read more
Volcano!
Paperwork
The Leaf Label (2008)
Now, I am an extremely misanthropic individual. I generally enjoy disliking things (and people) almost as much as I enjoy liking them. There is a perverse pleasure in mild hatred, a smug sense of self-justification when you can hover above the morons of this world and curl your lip in distaste at their floundering attempts at humanity. When this is … Read more
Waco Fuck
Paranoia is Total Awareness
Life Is A Rape (2008)
Anger is a gift, at least when making music. Some really manic but great recordings have been borne out of huge amounts of frustration and anger. Waco Fuck are one seriously angry sounding band. Spend enough time listening to this and you will realize just how much. The album is called Paranoia is Total Awareness and the record label is … Read more
Wait in Vain
Seasons
Think Fast! (2008)
When you look at the list of previous ventures from the members of Wait in Vain, it's hard to not get excited. Frontman Timm McIntosh was a founding member of Trial, as well as spending some time with Champion. Bassist (and now guitarist) Roger Kilburn was in Sinking Ships among others, guitarist Chris Jacobsen did some time with Set Your … Read more
Weezer
Weezer (The Red Album)
Geffen (2008)
Oh, Weezer. Here we are, album six for the band who've spent an entire career trying to figure out who they are. Are they The Pixies-aping geek rockers with a penchant for nerdery and romance? Are they riff-wielding guitar heroes rocking ironic stadiums? Are they misunderstood indie icons? Are they, um, white-boy rap? The band's third self-titled album - referred … Read more
Wholehearted
Reclaim
Volatile (2008)
What do we have here? You mean there are actually some youths from that godforsaken cheese covered land of Favre that actually don't want to play 2002-era metalcore or "Yo Motherfucker" bro hardcore? This is almost worth a trip to Wisconsin to check these kids out. Luckily, Wholehearted live close enough to the Mississippi that play here in Minnesota almost … Read more
Why?
Alopecia
Anticon (2008)
I'm still trying to fully wrap my head around this album. Why? hails from Oakland, California and puts an interesting hip-hop touch to their predominantly indie rock sound. Frontman Yoni Wolf is one of the founders of Anticon Records, and was also one-third of the late electronica/hip-hop group cLOUDDEAD, where he shared duties with rapper Doseone and DJ Odd Nosdam. … Read more
Wolves & Thieves
Demo
Independent (2008)
Wolves & Thieves play melodic rock n' roll-inspired hardcore seeping with East Bay flavor. In the same way The Suicide File and Hour of the Wolf play music definitively rooted in hardcore punk, albeit with a heavy rock n' roll influence, Wolves & Thieves unquestionably sound like a hardcore punk band. They simply refuse to be fettered with the frustrating … Read more
Wraith
Wraith
Reflections (2008)
Wraith is the latest U.K. export to hit my doorstep. Following on solid releases from Rot in Hell, Deal With It, and Dirty Money, the scene over there is starting to look rather promising again. While only a band for a year, Wraith has already built a massive following. And when you listen to this 7" you'll know just why. … Read more
Wrnlrd
Oneiromantical War
FSS (2008)
Wrnlrd drops a dense black metal album on listeners with this limited LP and digital album, Oneiromantical War - which I believe is the sixth album from the outfit. Now, in my growing education in black metal, this is my introduction to Wrnlrd, and it certainly provides me intrigue as the record mastering is the work of Bob Weston of … Read more
You Lose!
All In
Independent (2008)
I guarantee of two things after you listen to All In from You Lose! First off, you'll never guess this band is from France. Secondly, you'll be amped up and ready to take on anything. This five-piece delivers six songs in just less than nine minutes of crunchy and thundering hardcore with a metal edge. The songs remind me of … Read more
You May Die in the Desert
Bears in the Yukon
The Mylene Sheath (2008)
You May Die in the Desert is a three-piece, self-described as an "uplifting jazzy trio [that] combines chaotic guitar riffs with atmospheric layover techniques." With Bears in the Yukon, the group wastes no time with introductions. Within the opening twenty seconds, the opener's melody is in full swing, showing you they are not the type of instrumental act that needs … Read more
You May Die in the Desert / Gifts from Enola
Harmonic Motion: Volume 1
Differential (2008)
Harmonic Motion: Volume 1 is the start of a Differential Records series aiming to bring together like-sounding instrumental groups. The record starts off with "The Sound of Titans," a twelve minute atmospheric piece with several ups and downs in sound levels. For the most part, the song is more of the soundscape structure with picking, hypnotic guitars but, in its … Read more
Young Widows
Old Wounds
Temporary Residence (2008)
So, Young Widows makes the jump to a new label and to be perfectly honest, this change of scenery for the band seems much like a new beginning rather than an update on an old sound. While the band's previous album, Settle Down City, is a continuation of the work which the group were pursuing as Breather Resist (Young Widows' … Read more
Your Fall
Your Fall
Hurry Up! (2008)
I know nothing of the Brazilian hardcore world, nor will I pretend to know anything. In fact, the only things I know about Brazil are they love football (Americans should read that as soccer) and they gave us thrashers Sepultura. Outside of that, I'm just a naïve no-nothing. Your Fall is from Curitiba, which, from what I can gather, is … Read more
