Creatures
Vesuvius
Twelve Gauge (2012)
Creatures have made a name fo9r themselves over the past few years playing a style of metalcore that bears a resemblance to the Holy Terror style. So the basics here are heavy with a strong leaning towards metal riffing and an obvious inclination towards evil. The band seemed rather silent after releasing their Salvation EP last year. With a few … Read more
Crowhurst
Aghoree
Independent (2012)
Some bands just don't know when to slow down. California-based dark ambient/electronic musician Crowhurst definitely falls into that category, as he and his small army of guest musicians are about to release his fourteenth (?!) studio album this year, the evocatively titled Aghoree.The album is named after the somewhat less-than-mainstream Hindu sect that can (regretfully) be accurately described using the … Read more
Crypt of Kerberos
World of Myths (2012 reissue)
Pulverized (2012)
Ever heard of Crypt of Kerberos? No? Well get ready to be schooled in one of the greatest forgotten relics of the early tech death scene: their lone release, World of Myths.Originally released in 1993, this album has every hallmark for tech death bands of the day: tons of frantic riffing, unnecessarily complicated compositions, tempos and time signatures changing on … Read more
Crystal Castles
III
Fiction (2012)
Vandalism. You know the feeling you get right before it happens? The moment you grip it in your hand; arm above your head and cocked back? Or the instant just after you shake the can and right before you press down on the tip? How about the feeling you get right after it happens? The moment the brick goes through … Read more
Cursive
I Am Gemini
Saddle Creek (2012)
Oh, our beloved Cursive--shall we never hear another Ugly Organ from you? No, we shall not, so stop asking for one. For three albums now, Cursive have been bounded to their undeniable masterpiece, The Ugly Organ, and have been expected to reach that plateau with each subsequent release. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't one of those fans, … Read more
Cynic
The Portal Tapes
Season of Mist (2012)
In order for me to talk about this album, you're going to need some [CONTEXT].If there's one thing I absolutely hate about Cynic, it's their squandered potential. In 1993, right in the middle of the technical death metal craze that bore the likes of Atheist, Nocturnus and Suffocation, as well as refined the raw sounds of Death, Sarcófago and Meshuggah, … Read more
D.O.A.
We Come In Peace
Sudden Death (2012)
in·sti·tu·tion noun \?in(t)-st?-?tü-sh?n, something or someone firmly associated with a place or thingThere are few bands around that can be considered any kind of institution for their respective region. D.O.A. However, is such a band. A band synonymous with growing up in Canada. More specifically, growing up in Vancouver.Year after passing year, frontman Joe Keithley could be counted on to … Read more
Dan Padilla
Sports Fans
Dirt Cult (2012)
Considering the amount of time it took for Dan Padilla to drop their second full-length, last year’s As the Ox Plows, it’s surprising they’re back already with another full-length in Sports Fans. The DIY San Diego, CA band hasn’t changed up their sound much here, offering a similar blend of pop-punk, gruff vocals, and a strong bent of work-sucks-let’s-get-drunk themes. … Read more
Dave Hause
C'Mon Kid EP
Sabot Productions (2012)
We’re close to the end of Dave Hause’s 7-inch series. The fourth in the series comes from Sabot Productions. Hause decided to tackle his friends in None More Black and a more predictable Lucero track. Let's see how it went.First of the originals. “C’mon Kid” was turned into a piano ballad. It’s a beautiful one at that, but it’s probably … Read more
Dave Hause
Heavy Heart
Jade Tree (2012)
Of all of Dave Hause’s 7-inch’s for this series, this was the one I was most excited about. Jade Tree is one of my favorite labels with an amazing catalog., including The Loved Ones’, “Keep Your Heart.” There’s no surprise Hause went with this one. I was stoked to see he’d be covering The Promise Ring and Jets to Brazil … Read more
Dave Hause
Pray For Tuscon
Bridge Nine (2012)
The second installment of Dave Hause's 7-inch series comes from Bridge Nine. Lots of interesting choices for Hause to choose songs to cover from. In the end, he settled on Strike Anywhere and The Trouble. We'll get to that in a bit. First, lets reflect on the renditions of his own, "Pray For Tucson" and "Years From Now." This new … Read more
Dave Hause
Resolutions EP
Side One Dummy (2012)
We've finally come to the last of Dave Hause's EP series. The final EP comes from Side One Dummy and features covers of Flogging Molly's "Whistles the Wind" and Audra Mae's song, "The River." I'm sad to say, this was probably the most boring of the 5 EPs, but the covers save it. The acoustic version of "Resolutions" present on … Read more
Dave Hause
Time Will Tell EP
Chunksaah (2012)
Dave Hause recently embarked on a little project that involves five indie labels. He took two artists from each label and covered a song from each. The first in the series comes from Chunksaah (though it wasn't the first to be released.) The first half of the 7-inch features alternate versions of Hause's, "Time Will Tell" and "Meet Me at … Read more
Daylight
The Difference Between Good and Bad Dreams
Run for Cover (2012)
Daylight is one of those pop punk bands that run in the same vein as Run for Cover label mates Basement and genre heavyweights Title Fight, characterized by upbeat melodies and catchy riffs while retaining a clean sound. The Difference Between Good and Bad Dreams is the band’s latest release and follows their acoustic EP. The four songs come to … Read more
Dead Swans
Anxiety And Everything Else
Bridge Nine (2012)
Good hardcore bands from the UK are a rare occurrence. Dead Swans, however, are one of the few exceptions. With a heavy melodic sound and powerful vocals from Nicholas Worthington, the band is able to pull themselves out of the realm of mediocrity. Anxiety and Everything Else is the first since Sleepwalkers three years ago, and does a good job … Read more
Deathmøle
Meade's Army
Independent (2012)
Jeph Jacques may be primarily a cartoonist, but he's somehow managed to turn that profession into an outlet for his musical passions as well, crafting a virtual band from his own fictional characters and recording real music for them. The result is his one-man post-metal project, the flippantly named Deathmøle, which has turned out a steady stream of albums since … Read more
Deathstench
Massed In Black Shadow
Black Plague (2012)
Massed In Black Shadow is a fifty minute swirling vortex of harsh sound and painful noise imbued with a seething wretchedness that creeps and boils with a deeply unsettling pace. The duo that comprise this project are often found contributing to a multitude of other dirty and rotten bands, most notably Welter In Thy Blood, but also The Slaughtered Lamb … Read more
Deathstench
Rites Of The Dead Moon
Independent (2012)
Deathstench has done much to make their name in the underground world of blackened noise. This EP contains a solitary 13 minute song. While for some the length may be a turn off, you may put aside your expectations right now. This solitary track is contained in packaging that makes it worth the price alone. On a 3" cd encased … Read more
