Category Archives: Reviews

05.13.13
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[MUSIC REVIEW] Banquets – Banquets

Banquets LP layoutBANQUETS
Banquets
[Black Numbers]
Verdict: 8/10
RIYL: Autopilot Off, Daytrader, The Gaslight Anthem

When I first laid my ears on BANQUETS’ last album, Top Button, Bottom Shelf, it was love at first note. This New Jersey punk group really understood how to make understated, mature punk that tugged at the right nostalgic strings. Because of that immediacy, color me surprised to share that the band’s follow-up is a bit of a grower. Instead of sugary sweet melodies, the songs from this self-titled album weave themselves in your cranium slowly. “Little Shallow” might be the most immediate of the tracks on this short album; however, its hook is deceptive. It doesn’t scream “PLEASE SING ALONG TO ME”, yet I found myself humming it for about a day straight at random. All of this is not meant to scare away fans of the band’s past work. Banquets still is required listening for fans of early 2000s alternative rock. The band has perfected a potent mix of hooky pop punk and Jersey rock. BANQUETS’ sound is far from rough around the edges, yet there are no studio tricks to pretty up the record. I get the impression that any of these punk gems would sound equally enjoyable in a live setting as they do on my headphones. This is simply smart punk, meant to appeal to those who prefer to keep their brain plugged in while listening to music. Ultimately, aside from the album’s short run-time (albums shouldn’t be under thirty minutes), there is little left that bogs Banquets down. Punk never really died, and BANQUETS is sure to add another heartbeat to the mix. – by Nick Senior

Classification: Indie Punk
Recommended Tracks: “Little Shallow”, “Paths” and “Fade from Gold”

05.13.13
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[MUSIC REVIEW] Malefice – Five EP

MaleficeFivealbumcoverartworkpackshot400pxThrashHitsMALEFICE
Five EP
[Transcend Music]
Verdict: 8.5/10
RIYL: Architects, God Forbid, Sylosis

Five shouldn’t work this well. For those who aren’t familiar with MALEFICE, the band’s past discography melded an old-school ‘core sound (see Killswitch Engage or God Forbid) with a love of thrash metal. So the riffs came fast and furious, and the guitars held all of the melodies. The resulting mix either worked astoundingly well (see “Baying for Blood”) or left the listener wanting more. For its latest release (and first away from Metal Blade), the band has down-tuned its guitars and added a djent lean to its sound. Basically these guys not only bring the riffs and solos, but they now bring the groove. I didn’t think their sound needed a major re-tooling, but I’ll be damned if this new angle doesn’t work really well for MALEFICE. “Reach Up” and “Wasted” carry the thrash-core flag of old, but it’s the album’s title track that signals a changing of the guard. “V” is rife with groove-laden chugs, to the point that it almost sounds borrowed from This or the Apocalypse’s playbook. Thankfully, there is enough of a thrash undercurrent to carry the song. That is, until the end. I’m 26, married with a career, but seriously: I want to throw down in the pit so hard during the outro of “V”. The groove is killer, and this is coming from someone who doesn’t bow down to the almighty groove. That is the unexpected ace in the hole for MALEFICE. The band has tightened up its screws on its previous sound and added a monstrous amount of groove to Five. Metalcore bands take notice: breakdowns and groove are more enjoyable when they are surrounded by interesting songwriting. These British lads now understand that fact, and their resulting album is a resounding success. Fans of metalcore’s past, present, and future will surely enjoy this long EP. – by Nick Senior

05.11.13
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[MUSIC REVIEW] Frank Turner – Tape Deck Heart (Deluxe Edition)

FRANK TURNER
Tape Deck Heart (Deluxe)
[Epitaph Records]
Verdict: 9.5/10

frank turnerFor the last month or two, I’ve been listening to Tape Deck Heart repeatedly. This is definitely one of the best records I’ve heard in a long while (and it came just in time, considering I’m going through an indie/folk rock phase currently). It’s sad I haven’t listened to much of Frank Turner before this, and therefore can’t compare it to his previous material. However, as this collection stands, it’s damn near perfect. Kicking off with the instant hit, “Recovery”, Tape Deck Heart comes with memorable lick after lick. These songs will easily be stuck in your head for weeks to come, especially “The Way I Tend To Be”, “Plain Sailing Weather” (I am fucking obsessed with this particular track), “Good & Gone”, “Tell Tale Signs”, and “Four Simple Words” (the loud, punk rock anthem that will get everyone dancing). In its later tracks, the album does slow down, which could possibly turn off some listeners. That being admitted, even Frank’s more reserved tracks offer something profound and intricate. Lyrically, the man is a genius, touching upon both the basic and complicated aspects of every day life. Even topics sung by every artists out there seem fresh when performed by Frank. He has a way with words, that’s for sure. As for the version of Tape Deck Heart I had acquired, it was the deluxe edition; it came with a total of eighteen tracks, making for a long record. It’s a bit daunting, actually. Out of those additions, “Tattoos” and “Time Machine” would have to be the obvious winners. Tape Deck Heart is a masterpiece, to say at the least. In relation, Frank Turner is a genius. Enough said. – by Nathaniel Lay

Most Recommended: “Recovery”, “The Way I Tend To Be”, “Plain Sailing Weather”, “Good & Gone”, “Tell Tale Signs”, “Four Simple Words”, “Tattoos”, “Time Machine
Release: Available Now
In Conclusion: Frank Turner has created an absolutely amazing record with Tape Deck Heart. It’s a true experience to play these songs over and over.

05.11.13
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[MUSIC - QUICKIE REVIEWS] Face To Face, Foreverlin, Temple of Thieves, and Sentiments

Three Chords & a Half TruthFACE TO FACE - Three Chords and a Half Truth
[Rise Records] – Verdict: 9/10
Thoroughly enjoyable, the new Face To Face record is twelve tracks of punk rock fueled by strong beats, memorable lyrics, and catchy anthems. Tracks like “123 Drop”, “Welcome Back To Nothing”, “Smokestacks and Skyscrapers”, and “First Step, Miss Step” are only a few of the great songs to be heard on Three Chords. This release only gets better with every repeated listen, so don’t sleep on this one.

foreverlinFOREVERLIN – Long Lost
[Red Cord Records] – Verdict: 7/10
In all fairness, Long Lost is a slow moving record. After all, it’s indie rock rock fueled by Christian lyrics. That being said, the vocals and instrumentals are beautifully performed (and written, for that matter). If you don’t mind an album that could possibly ease you to sleep, then look no further than Foreverlin. There are some great moments to be heard during Long Lost.

Temple-Of-Thieves--Passing-Through-The-Zer0sTEMPLE OF THIEVES – Passing Through the Zer0s
[Goomba Music] – Verdict: 6.5/10
Filtered into an edgy rocks in the likes of old school Trapt and Breaking Benjamin, Temple of Thieves offer something familiar to those who grew up on the hard rock of the late 90′s. Their debut record, Passing Through the Zer0s, may not be an obvious hit, but it surely brings out several tracks you’ll grow to love. “In the Garden (Collecting Souls)” has a solid build and release throughout; “Reaping” is hard hitting and memorable; and “Species” is well rounded. Ultimately, the album suffers from its length more than anything. The songs are all between four and six minutes, which is a bit much. Otherwise, Temple of Thieves prove they have talent (at the least) here with Passing Through the Zer0s.

sentimentsSENTIMENTS – Dystopia
[Independent] – Verdict: 7/10
If Sentiments are trying to get the attention of Rise Records or Fearless Records, they’re on the right track. Boasting that electro-tinged metalcore that has been so popular these past couple years, Sentiments do a solid job in writing brutal and vicious breakdowns during Dystopia. The vocals go back and forth between screams, yells, and growls; the instruments are varied and powerful, and the electronics are kept at bay enough that they are certainly not overwhelming or problematic. While I have, admittedly, grown tired of this sound, Dystopia does the scene much justice. This record could easily get the band signed.

All reviews above by Nathaniel Lay

05.11.13
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[REVIEW] American Fangs – S/T

american fangsAMERICAN FANGS
American Fangs
[In De Goot Recordings/RED Distribution]
Verdict: 9/10

It’s been months I’ve been listening to this record, preparing for its review. Now that the album release is next week, it’s time I sit down and express my love for newcomers American Fangs. If you were to rewind to the early 2000′s and listen to the bands dominating the indie scenes for rock and punk, you’d find the perfect home for American Fangs. Like a cross between Maxeen and Letterkills, this record is full of high adrenaline, edgy sounding rock, while keeping up full frontal anthems and melody. Tracks like “Riot Food” and “Pomona” have that mainstream rock appeal, while “Le Kick” and “Gimme Gimme” drip more with a grungy, sex appeal to their power antics. Of course, no proper rock record wouldn’t be complete without at least one slow song. With this American Fangs self titled effort, the first comes early with “Sorry”; this particular track has all the makings of a radio hit. “Man In The Sun” would be its tight competition, certainly. As a complete work, this debut is a fantastic start to a hopefully bright career for American Fangs. It comes as a surprise that brings you coming back for more and more, months after you’ve first spun it. – by Nathaniel Lay

Most Recommended: “Riot Food”, “Le Kick”, “Sorry”, “Man In The Sun”
Release: May 14, 2013
In Conclusion: Fans of the Warped Tour compilations from the early 2000′s will find American Fangs fit in perfectly with that older scene. Their brand of edgy rock, mixed with punk anthems, works wonderfully on their debut record.

05.11.13
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[REVIEW] Beyond the Shore – Ghostwatcher

BeyondTheShore-GhostwatcherBEYOND THE SHORE
Ghostwatcher
[Metal Blade Records]
Verdict: 7/10
Beyond the Shore brings to mind Emmure more than any other band during their Metal Blade debut, Ghostwatcher. Their furious metal mixed with booming hardcore makes the record a rather intense experience. Some of it isn’t as memorable as it should have been, but then you come across tracks like “Transitions” and “Homewrecker”, which are just goddamn brilliant. There isn’t much variation to be heard on the record though, which is always a tad disappointing. The album is also quickly over. Out of the ten tracks, two of them are instrumentals. Minor complaints aside, Beyond the Shore offers a lot of raw energy and aggression to help anyone’s bad day (or work out regime). At the least, add the Most Recommended tracks to some kind of metal playlist on your iPod. – by Nathaniel Lay

Most Recommended: “Transitions”, “Homewrecker”, “Glass Houses”, “Breathe On Ice”
Release: April 2, 2013
In Conclusion: It runs a bit short, and doesn’t add much variety, but Ghostwatcher has great power behind it. Beyond the Shore are now a band to watch.

05.11.13
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[REVIEW] Sinners To Saints – The Greatest of These

SINNERS TO SAINTS
The Greatest of These
[Red Cord Records]
Verdict: 8/10
sinnersThe Greatest of These, as a whole, is one of those records that works best as background “working at the gym” metal. That being said, it has a very strong mid section to it. Starting from “The World’s Collapse” and going through to “Life, Like Statues”, things are just a blast. “The World’s Collapse” is fueled by some powerful transitions in the verses; “Fractures” has the most well rounded and explosive sound (admittedly thanks a lot to guest vocalist, Garrett Rapp of The Color Morale); “Vanquisher” has a very powerful last minute; and “Life, Like Statues” is just dead-on with its hard hitting and vicious moves. Once you’ve gotten this far into the album, The Greatest of These actually seems like it was two EP’s placed side by side. You have the instrumental, “Testify”, bridge a gap between the two, and it’s like another new collection begins with “Vessels”. This actually works quite well. If you were to listen to the album from start to finish, it kind of fools you into thinking the next album on your playlist has begun (when it really hasn’t). However, if you only have a good 20 minute drive to work (and back), it works great. You listen to half on the way up, half on the way back, and it feels like two complete album rotations. While I do prefer the first half of The Greatest of These, the album does become more and more memorable with repeated listens. At first, I wasn’t all that taken by Sinners to Saints, but the last month of returning to this record has changed that for me. Now, I’ll be looking forward to the band’s next release.

Most Recommended: “The World’s Collapse”, “Fractures”, “Vanquisher”, “Life, Like Statues”
Release: Available Now
In Conclusion: Sinners To Saints aren’t doing anything actually different for their metal scene, but they do the formula well. Given the chance, The Greatest of These becomes more memorable with every return (especially its excellent mid section).

05.01.13
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[QUICKIE REVIEWS] Alkaline Trio, Dark New Day, Authority Zero, Shai Hulud

This collection of short reviews features several releases from over a month or two back that I’ve been meaning to get around to. Well, finally, I’ve knocked some of them out. Some great records to be found below! — by Nathaniel Lay

alkaline-trio-my-shame-is-true-580x580ALKALINE TRIO – My Shame Is True
[Epitaph Records] – Verdict: 9.5/10
The really great thing about the new A3 album is just how much of a flashback appeal it has. Fans from the days of Goddammit will find that My Shame Is True has a lot of old school shine to it that is reminiscent of the band’s earlier material. Kicking off with “She Lied To The FBI”, Alkaline Trio reel in the listener with their light and honest punk/rock that made them so memorable back before they were famous. The record only gets better from there, bringing in new elements and influences along the way. For example, “I Wanna Be A Warhol” sounds like a lost +44 song, and “I, Pessimist” plays fast and hard like Rise Against (and even features Tim on guest vocals). My Shame Is True is essentially hit after hit. This is the best A3 record in fuckin’ years.

DNDHailmarycoverDARK NEW DAY – Hail Mary
[Pavement Entertainment] – Verdict: 7/10
Having never listened to this band before, it was nice going into it knowing it featured members of several good hard/rock bands, such as Evanescence. Hail Mary is about what I expected, considering where these guys had come from originally. The music here is all quite solid, whether you’re more interested in the heavier writing (“Goodbye”, “Saddest Song”), the lighter stuff (“On My Way”, “Dear Addy”), or the in-between/anthem-like tracks (“Simple”, “Outside”). Now, hard rock hasn’t been my cup of tea for years, but Dark New Day are doing it justice. So if this genre is your thing, chances are high you will love this record.

ShaiHulud-ReachBeyondTheSunSHAI HULUD – Reach Beyond the Sun
[Metal Blade Records] – Verdict: 9/10
Believe it or not, I’ve never listened to Shai Hulud before this record. For whatever reason, I always thought they played that deep, guttural metal I can’t stand. Instead, they are very much hardcore in their presentation: fast, aggressive, hard-hitting, and memorable. Reach Beyond the Sun was quite the surprise, as a result. Shai Hulud have instantly gone up on my list, making the top 10 hardcore acts killing it right now. After the somewhat disappointing recent release by Stick To Your Guns, I think it’s safe to say Shai Hulud have even surpassed them with this record.

az_thetippingpoint1000-635x635AUTHORITY ZERO – The Tipping Point
[Hardline Entertainment] – Verdict: 9/10
Like the days of Siren Song by Rise Against, The Tipping Point has a very strong punk rock fuel that makes the songs both memorable and fist pumping. While tracks “Undivided”, “For the Kids”, “Struggle”, “Lift One Up”, and “Today We Heard The News” feature the best moments of The Tipping Point, the album is a fantastic ride from start to finish. This is probably the best Authority Zero have been, so pay attention.

05.01.13
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[REVIEW] The Bunny The Bear – Stories

the bunny the bear storiesTHE BUNNY THE BEAR
Stories
[Victory Records]
Verdict: 9/10

Having listened to The Bunny The Bear since before they signed to Victory, I am able to appreciate their growth all the more. Jump back to their first label release, If You Don’t Have Anything Nice To Say, and you’ll hear how shallow it was instrumentally. But with each passing release, the band has added to their arsenal. Their previous record, The Stomach For It, caught my ear with its increased melody. And now it seems that the band has taken those elements to the next level with Stories. Not only is everything larger and more explosive, it’s also more catchy, memorable, and even soothing. Most of Stories is sweet sounding and trance-like. There are still the heavier sections, but they seem few in number when the album is played from start to finish. The vocals are still great, especially the high pitched singer, but there is something new to speak of here. TBTB have now started throwing in the screamer into some of the sung sections, and his deeper voice works well; it would be great to hear more of this expansion down the road. Just about every highlight track on Stories is made all the more memorable by its more melodic and pop structures. The first top notch song, for example, would be “Hey, Allie”, which feels like a warm-up climb to a climax. You also have the upbeat and sweet sounding “It’s Not Always Cold In Buffalo”, one of the best tracks of the record (and of the band’s discography, for that matter). As Stories plays through, The Bunny The Bear surprise again and again. Near the end, you get another two hits from “Your Reasons” (easily the catchiest track of the bunch) and “Sadie” (the dream-like closer). Stories is certainly their best effort yet, and I will eagerly look forward to the band’s next installment. – by Nathaniel Lay

Most Recommended Tracks: “Hey, Allie”, “It’s Not Always Cold In Buffalo”, “Another Day”, “Your Reasons”, “Sadie”
Release Date: April 16, 2013
In Conclusion: The Bunny The Bear have yet again improved upon their already unique formula with Stories. This is definitely their best work yet, and one that could easily reel in new listeners with its increased love of melody and pop elements.

05.01.13
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[QUICKIE REVIEWS] New Found Glory, Night Birds, Jungle Rot, Snow White’s Poison Bite

New-Found-Glory-Mania-300x300NEW FOUND GLORY – Mania
[Bridge Nine Records] – Verdict: 9/10
How can you not love a Ramones cover album by one of the best pop punk bands out there today? Despite having only being able to record a small handful of songs for this special release, New Found Glory certainly did a great job in their choosing. Absolute favorites “I Wanna Be Sedated”, “Rock N Roll High School”, and “The KKK Took My Baby Away” are all here. The band was also good not to put new spins on the classic songs; every track here sounds surprisingly close to the originals. Maybe New Found Glory will reel in younger listeners to join the ranks of Ramones fans. This is a must have for any NFG and/or Ramones listener.

night birdsNIGHT BIRDS – Maimed For The Masses
[Fat Wreck Chords] – Verdict: 8/10
Generally, any Fat Wreck release gets my attention. That label has brought some great punk bands to my attention I hadn’t previously heard of, so when Night Birds was presented to me, I downloaded it. Maimed For The Masses is fast and classic sounding punk, in the vein of The Casualties and The Unseen. The songs sound like they came straight from the street, which is a plus in this genre. As a result, Night Birds certainly come off as authentic with this EP release. It would have been nice to include more songs, but that defeats the whole purpose of 7 inches. Maimed For the Masses is quick and energetic, just as it should be.

snow whites poison buiteSNOW WHITE’S POISON BITE – Featuring: Dr. Gruesome and the Gruesome Gory Horror Show
[Victory's Records] – Verdict: 5.5/10
After a horrific and long introduction, the new Snow White’s Poison Bite record kicks off with “The Gruesome Gory Horror Show”. Immediately, it becomes clear that the singer has an annoying voice that will bring down the enjoyment factor of the record. Instrumentally, the band has a good sound. The screams are also quite good, but are sadly used little in comparison to the clean vocals. The best parts of the record come from the heavier sections, like with “Will You Meet Me In The Graveyard” and “Count Dracula Kid”. At times, the band sounds like they’re about to make a turnaround as the album plays through, but they never quite get there. If the band were to get rid of the terrible singing and stupid Halloween themes, Snow White’s Poison Bite could very well offer something of interest. But until then, they’re just pulling themselves down with generic elements they are taking full swing.

jungle rot terroJUNGLE ROT – Terror Regime
[Victory Records] – Verdict: 6/10
Jungle Rot may be fast and aggressive, but they do little to stand themselves out from the packs. Terror Regime is entertaining enough, but also suffers from too much similarity between tracks. The band rarely varies their style, making it so that song differentiating is unsuccessful. As the record goes on, it becomes tiresome as a result. Terror Regime works best as background metal.

05.01.13
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[REVIEW] Streetlight Manifesto – The Hands That Thieve

streetlight manifestoSTREETLIGHT MANIFESTO
The Hands That Thieve
[Victory Records]
Verdict: 8.5/10

To be honest, I’ve listened to Streetlight Manifesto little in the past, so I cannot compare The Hands That Thieve to their previous outings. That being said, I still had expected something slightly different, meaning this record surprised me. Right from the start, I was thoroughly impressed by the unique writing presented during the opener, “The Three Of Us”. The instruments are are all done brilliantly throughout The Hands That Thieve; the band do a great job keeping things varied and fresh. They don’t fall into the pit falls of many punk ska bands (which is a common familiarity from track to track), but rather show a new unexplored side to them as the record plays through. Add in the factor that this is the band’s sixth studio release, and it’s made all the more impressive that they’re able to still write such fresh material. As The Hands That Thieve plays, there are a handful of spotlight tracks I would like to specifically mention. “The Three of Us” has some great instrumental sections, of course; “Ungrateful” has a catchy, swooning flow to it; “If Only For Memories” is fueled by some excellent group vocals; and “They Broke Him Down” is one of the most well rounded and interesting track of the bunch. Streetlight Manifesto have succeeded on many levels with this release; The Hands That Thieve is a thoroughly entertaining and memorable ska punk record. – by Nathaniel Lay

Most Recommended Tracks: “The Three of Us”, “Ungrateful”, “If Only For Memories”, “They Broke Him Down”
Release Date: April 30, 2013
In Conclusion: Ska punk is generally quite fun, but Streetlight Manifesto have added more element and depth to it with The Hands That Thieve. Other bands of the genre should take notes from this release.

04.29.13
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[REVIEW] Famous Last Words – Two Faced Charade

famous last wordsFAMOUS LAST WORDS
Two-Faced Charade
[InVogue]
Verdict: 7.5/10
RIYL: Crown the Empire, In Fear in Faith, Palisades

I love seeing a band grow with subsequent releases. I had the pleasure of reviewing the band’s debut EP early last year, and let’s just say I wasn’t overly impressed. The band’s take on Risecore was average at best. Fast forward fourteen months, and this feels like a different band. Gone are the excessive use of synths and breakdowns, leaving solid vocals and impressive musicianship in its wake. Yes, you read that correctly; this album is an absolutely unexpected stunner. The most noticeable improvement is the clean vocals. JT has really stepped up his game, providing some really solid melodies throughout Two-Faced Charade. Sure, there are some moments of obvious auto-tuning, but his voice has become much more naturally tuneful between releases.

The problem with the album is when FAMOUS LAST WORDS reverts back to genre tropes. The breakdowns on the album are really uninspiring, and the lyrics tend to dumb down significantly around those heavier sections. The entire middle of “Voices” is a great example of a swing-and-a-miss from the band. However, those moments when they up the theatrical elements are stellar. “Welcome to the Show” starts the album off very well, playing as a sonic experiment of how CHIODOS would’ve sounded if they were signed to Rise Records. What starts well must end well, and the two-part “The Show Must Go On” is a great send-off. This six-minute song highlights how far the band has come from last year’s EP. The song better get the video treatment, as it is theatrical atmosphere emanates from the record. By de-emphasizing its “core” elements and focusing on crafting memorable songs, FAMOUS LAST WORDS has become one of the first great surprises of 2013. Here’s hoping the band hasn’t crafted its last words. – by Nick Senior

Classification: Theatrical Post-Hardcore
Recommended Tracks: “Welcome to the Show”, “Lust of the Lost” and “The Show Must Go On”

………………………………………….

SECOND OPINION
Verdict: 7/10
It takes a little getting used to the highly melodic clean vocals proceeding a heavy blast of destruction and vicious screams, but once you have, there’s an entertaining time to be had from the new FLW album. The sung portions are often catchy, and the breakdowns are generally satisfyingly intense and aggressive (despite their generic “fuck this, fuck that” lyrics). Putting them together is a popular combination these days, though it has grown tired on me admittedly. Still, this band is doing the style well. There’s definitely some memorable sections to be heard during Two Faced Charade, so fans [of metal and the pop mix that is so scene currently] should give this one a spin. – by Nathaniel Lay