Review / 200 Words Or Less
Sounds Like Violence
With Blood on My Hands

Deep Elm (2007) — Tohm

Sounds Like Violence – With Blood on My Hands cover artwork
Sounds Like Violence – With Blood on My Hands — Deep Elm, 2007

Alternative Press called Sweden's Sounds Like Violence "post-grunge." I don't know what the fuck post-grunge is supposed to sound like, but apparently it's catchy pop-punk "recommended for fans of: My Chemical Romance, Underoath, Refused, [and] The Hives." The music isn't as bubbly as your average pop-punk band, which is definitely a bonus, but the lyrics still drip with angst and heartbreak. The My Chemical Romance influence can be seen in the lyrics and vocal delivery: "I've been hit by a bus / I've had my head chopped off / I've died a million times / At least in my mind" and "I want my real heart back / You can send it in a box." Also, song titles like "Heartless Wreck," "Were You Ever In Love With Me?" and "Cold Cold Blood" denote more annoying/lovesick anthems. The standout track on With Blood On My Hands is "Until Death Do Us Part"; it's also where the album gets its name (see lyrics). I can see Sounds Like Violence becoming big with the "teenie bopper" crowd, but that's about it.

4.0 / 10 — Tohm • December 31, 2007

Sounds Like Violence – With Blood on My Hands cover artwork
Sounds Like Violence – With Blood on My Hands — Deep Elm, 2007

Recently-posted album reviews

Nick Soulsby

Born of Struggle, Living in Hope: The Anarcho-Punk Lives of the Centro Ibérico (1971-1983)
PM Press (2026)

Living in Hope , as the subtitle suggests, is a punk-centric history of the Centro Ibérico, an anarcho-punk squat at 421 Harrow Road. It is also the first book-length treatment of the space, which was at the crossroads of far-right fascist violence, police surveillance, housing disputes, and the punk scene. Founded in 1970 by Spanish Civil War veteran Miguel García … Read more

Roky Erickson And The Aliens

The Evil One (deluxe edition)
Fire Records (2026)

I feel very fortunate to have seen Roky Erickson perform live at SXSW backed by Okkervil River in 2010 or 2011. Erickson passed away in 2019 at the age of 71. For those of you who aren’t already disciples, Roky Erickson was the lead vocalist of legendary Texas psych rockers 13th Floor Elevators. Recorded after the breakup of the Elevators … Read more

Mike D

Thank You
Capitol (2026)

Beastie Boys were a huge part of my transition from teenager into adulthood. An album for every stage of their growth musically matched the many chapters of my own personal development. Ad-Rock, MCA, and Mike D were like cherished friends for my earholes. The world mourned together when we lost Adam Yauch to cancer in 2012 and were heartbroken knowing … Read more