Review / 200 Words Or Less
Guiltmaker
Driven By Arms

Kiss of Death (2006) Neil

Guiltmaker – Driven By Arms cover artwork
Guiltmaker – Driven By Arms — Kiss of Death, 2006

Despite featuring ex-members of Combatwoundedveteran and Reversal of Man, Guiltmaker is distinctly less heavy than you might initially assume they would be. In fact the band does a fairly catchy take on the mid 90s emo rock/ post hardcore sound. Reminiscent of both bands like Rival Schools, Jets to Brazil and Jawbreaker, as well as uber popular present day acts like Brand New and Taking Back Sunday. Apparently this four song EP is merely a taster for what is to come as the band are presently writing the material for their debut full length. If they continue with the same approach to song writing it will be one to look out for when it hits the streets, and will undoubtedly see the band propelled far beyond their present Florida base.

7.0 / 10Neil • June 20, 2006

Guiltmaker – Driven By Arms cover artwork
Guiltmaker – Driven By Arms — Kiss of Death, 2006

Related news

Guiltmaker gives away new EP

Posted in Records on August 24, 2010

Recently-posted album reviews

Action/Adventure

Ever After
Pure Noise (2025)

Chicago’s Action/Adventure have been grinding the pop-punk trenches since 2014. They have always played pop-punk like it still has something to prove because for them, it does. They went viral in 2020 on TikTok with their song “Barricades” by calling out the exact thing no one in the scene wanted to say out loud. The genre is full of white … Read more

217

In Your Gaze
Time To Kill (2025)

If you didn’t know, hardcore and punk are alive and thriving in Italy. When I come across bands from there, their scene never ceases to amaze me. Italy gave us Raw Power and Negazione in the ’80s, Slander and Strength Approach in the 2010s. Now 217 picks up that lineage with their own mix of fire and reflection by keeping … Read more

Ugly Stick

Absinthe
Hovercraft Records (2025)

Contrary to what I said on Vh1’s Behind the Music, Tim from Hovercraft is one of my favourite human beings. I suppose in some ways that’s not saying much but Tim plays in one of my favourite bands, I’m a fan of his art and on top of those two things and running a label, his day job is saving … Read more