You Will Move

Cynic - Carbon Based Anatomy EP review

2012-02-10T12:34:00.000-05:00

I'll be the first to admit that I am a Cynic fanboy. I've always been. I was hooked when I was first exposed to their weird mix of Death Metal, Fusion Jazz and robot vocals. It could be understandable that almost twenty years later Cynic fans might still want them to relive their old sound - and i can see why after listening to this somewhat lackluster EP.

For starters, Cynic has shed most of their Death Metal sound and have a more "Progressive" (in the loosest sense) sound during the past few years. Traced In Air used these elements in key parts of their songs and the Death Metal growls were kept to a minimum throughout the album. Still, their songs had some groove to it and their riffs felt more substantial than what they are playing on this EP. Carbon Based Anatomy is bland at its best, with some okay segments here and there, but nothing that really stands out. This does not mean that this is a bad album, as Paul Masvidal and company are more than proficient songwriters, it's just that I feel a little underwhelmed after listening to these five songs - three of which are "ambient" tracks. I don't have a problem with bands using interludes in their albums, but these tracks act like pure filler material. Having to listen to four-plus minutes of chants and "spacey" sounds before a song that is already too "trippy" for its own good starts is just unacceptable.

As far as the three real songs on this EP, they are quite similar to their less Metal-friendly songs from Traced In Air. They're not bad, but there is nothing remarkable about them. Hopefully, they will come out with something a bit more solid when they release their next full length. Until then, I'll refuse to think that this was the best they could come up with.

Loma Prieta - I.V. album review

2012-01-30T04:39:00.000-05:00

Most bands tend to follow a safe path after several albums. It has happened with even the most extreme acts out there, and while this does not necessarily mean that a particular band has gone commercial, usually they tend to take less risks as the years go by. Loma Prieta's I.V. has done the exact opposite by releasing what has to be one of the harshest sounding albums this side of Xasthur.

I.V. feels like an extension of Life/Less, one of Loma Prieta's most intense albums to date. It is noisy, heavy and downright nasty when it has to be. While this might upset those who would prefer the band to maintain the more polished sound of Last City, I think that this dirtier approach to their style works for many reasons. It makes their more intense songs like Trilogy 4: Momentary and Reproductive even more chaotic. On the other hand, it gives songs like Biography and Uselessness a richer, more dense sound. Irt caught my attention how they have incorporated more melody in their bass lines, which is pretty evident in the first two songs from the album: Fly By Night and Torn Portrait. I know I have criticized bands like A Wilhelm Scream for letting their bass players go crazy when there is no need for such guitar store antics, it actually works here. It creates a layered, well balanced harmony that feels natural, like it belongs in the song instead of sounding like a forced, cut-and-paste part.. Even though this is a pretty primal sounding album, you can appreciate the dynamics and small details here and there that the band has cleverly put into their songs, which keeps things interesting as the songs go by.

In the end, there is not enough nice things I can say about I.V. Loma Prieta keeps blurring the lines between Screamo, Power Violence and Grindcore with what I consider their most violent sounding album to date. This might as well be the soundtrack to the end of the world.

You can get the album here, along with some of their previous releases. Also, you can support them by buying some cool merch here. I heard they need new equipment, so if you feel like it, you can help by showing your support and buying some shit from them.

2011 Recap: My favorite albums of 2011

2011-12-30T20:52:00.001-05:00

2011 was a weird year. Black Metal suddenly became popular again, everybody goes apeshit for bands that sounds like New Found Glory if they had Nu-Metal breakdowns (the natural evolution from Sum 41-like Metalcore) and nostalgia became the weapon of choice for many publishers, long-forgotten bands and record labels. But amidst all the bullshit, there were so many good albums coming out every week that it was almost impossible to keep up with everything that was going on in Metal/Hardcore/Punk/etc. land. I think 2011 was a pretty overwhelming year, music-wise.

I do not want to call this list "The Best of 2011" because there were a lot of albums that I missed and/or did not listen to as much as I wanted to. However, these albums were the ones that made me act like a mongrel during this year. It could be because it was something I did not expect to listen to and enjoy, or it was something so good I couldn't stop listening to it - let alone all the albums that took me by surprise because I didn't realize they were even out .

In no particular order:

Demonaz - March Of The Norse

This has to be the most overlooked Metal album of 2011. It was curious to see everybody giving rave reviews to almost everything Black Metal-related during 2011, but almost no one mentioned this amazing album. Sure, Demonaz and the rest of the Blizzard Beasts (ha!) are doing what could be considered a Quorthon tribute on this album, but this has to be the best Bathory-inspired album ever made. Epic. Majestic. Heavy. This should have been the soundtrack to Skyrim.

Black Monolith - Demo

I'm still shocked by how these guys managed to capture so much intensity in just three songs. There are a lot of D-beat-meets-Black-Metal bands out there, but these guys nailed it with this demo. There is not a lot left to say about it other than this is pure filth and I love it!

Autopsy - Macabre Eternal

I did not listen to a lot of Death Metal releases this year because they weren't appealing enough for me, or they were just plain out boring. When I first heard what I consider to be one of the two best comeback albums of 2011, I felt the gut-wrenching burst of rage, death and sleaze that seems to be forgotten by most bands who play death metal nowadays. This album is a sign of hope to those of us who though that Death Metal would not go back to the more violent, unpolished sound that made it a noteworthy sub-genre back in the day. Autopsy's Macabre Eternal is the ultimate fuck you to every over-polished, formulaic, derivative Metal band out there.

Indian - Guiltless

This was the first time I heard this band and I'm still shitting bricks after listening to this album. This is one dense, throbbing, apocalyptic sounding Doom album that should be experienced by those who stopped listening to Neurosis after A Sun That Never Sets. There is something unsettling about their album - whether it's the layers of noise behind the hypnotic guitar riffing or the manic vocals backed by the most primitive (in a violent way) drumming this side of The Melvins that sounds so ugly, yet so addictive. I'm not sure how this album fares when compared to the band's earliest efforts, but I must say that this is an impressive album.

Deafheaven - Roads To Judah

There were a bazillion bands threading on this new way of playing American Black metal, but Deafheaven were the ones who delivered the most cohesive and solid album of the bunch. I like how these guys are integrating the more subdued aspects of screamo and stuff like Mogwai to their raw, Black Metal assault. They do have a tendency to write pretty long songs - which could be a turn-off to those who're not used to listen to songs that go beyond the two-minute mark, but they flow pretty smoothly thanks to the juxtaposition of harsh dissonance and well placed melodic arrangements. This is a prime example of controlled chaos.

Alpinist/Masakari- Split

I got this split after reading so many good things about Alpinist in other blogs and I think they're one of the best Crust bands to ever come out of Europe ever since Ekkaia. Masakari is also great, noisy, chaotic Crusty Grindcore for those of you who are still waiting for the second coming of Nuclear Death. Both bands delivered straight-forward, heavy, Crusty Metal Grind wholesome goodness. For those of you who love Spanish Crust/Grindcore, this is a must have. While they're not from "La Madre Patria", they do something similar, yet a bit more refined than Ekkaia, Looking For and Answer or Ictus with their music. Highly recommended.

Exhumed- All Guts, No Glory

The second best Comeback album of 2011. This has to be one of the best albums Relapse has released in years. I don't know if it's because I did not like Anatomy Is Destiny that much, but I can't stop listening to this album. Everything flows naturally, from the thrashy, almost Death Metal sounding riffs, to the more melodic stuff that one-ups Carcass' best efforts back in the day. Goregrind is not one of the most imaginative genres out there (although it is a great, fun genre), but Exhumed have managed to set the bar as high as they could, making All Guts, No Glory the new Goregrind standard.

Punch - Nothing Lasts E.P.

This is the best Hardcore band out there right now, regardless of what you think. They have found a great balance between their faster stuff and the most Youth-Crew-meets-Old-School-Hardcore sounding material with this album. Who needs reunion shows when we have these guys delivering great, confrontational Hardcore right now?

Will Haven - Voir Dire

Will Haven seemed to be a band that lived forever obscured by the shadow of a bigger, Sacramento-based band. However, they constantly tried their best to find their own sound and it finally shows with Voir Dire. This has to be the best vocal performance by Grady Avenell since WHVN. This album is heavy, dark, atmospheric and visceral in every way. I just wish there were more Metalcore bands out there playing this noisier style once again.

Graf Orlock - Doombox

These guys did Die Hard, The Big Lebowski, Terminator, Jurassic Park and even Aliens, but it was about time they showed some love to the blatantly stereotypical, violent Blaxploitation cinema of the 90's. This album is crazy, unpredictable, and just plain awesome. While their sound has not changed a lot, their songs have a bit more room to breathe between riffs and screams - which makes their sound more accessible to those who are not too fond of Grindcore. without sacrificing their intense delivery. Plus, the goddamn album sleeve turns into a boombox!

And that's about it. There were several albums that didn't make the cut, even ones that featured songs from a mixtape I put together for Reloj Bomba a few days ago (Download link), but I feel everything that's on this list had everything that I look for when I listen to an album. They are fun, interesting, intense, and just fucking awesome. Most of these albums are not trying to reinvent any genres, but they don't need to. All they need to do in order to please me as a listener is to keep me interested in what they're playing and make me say "damn, that was cool. Play that shit again!!!".

That's it for now. Thanks for reading. Happy New Year.

Exclusivo de You WIll Move: Youvultures @ Nuestro Son 09/22/11

2011-10-04T23:11:00.002-04:00

El pasado 22 de Septiembre de 2011, el duo del área oeste Youvultures se presentó en Nuestro Son en el Viejo San Juan. Este es su set sin editar.

Para más música de Youvultures, visita los siguientes enlaces:

facebook.com/youvultures
youvultures.com/
youvultures.bandcamp.com/
vimeo.com/youvultures
twitter.com/YVLTRS

Exhumed - All Guts, No Glory CD Review

2011-08-25T20:36:00.002-04:00

Goregrind may not be the most original genre out there, but Exhumed have managed to find their own sound; a sound that is heavily influenced by Symphonies Of Sickness (just like every gore/medical terminology band out there) without falling into the usual trappings of said sub-genre. I must admit that Anatomy Is Destiny left me unsatisfied, probably because of how "clean" that album sounds. After a way-too-long hiatus, the San Jose quartet have released one of my favorite albums of this year, and one that I am pretty sure those of you who have felt underwhelmed by the lack of quality Death Metal and Goregrind releases over the years will appreciate.

Considering the ridiculous amount of great albums from other non-Metal genres that have been released in 2011, I must admit that I've been craving for something like this. After all, there are a lot of Metal bands out there (old and new) who are just being technical for the sake of being technical, turning themselves into these stale, uninspiring acts who are unable to write a cohesive, engaging song. Considering that the band has been out of the game for eight years, they seem to have improved on the better aspects of their songwriting . This is evident when you notice the smooth riff transitions and the much more melodic approach to some of their lead guitar work (listen to Your Funeral, My Feast as a proof) on the album. These songs still have that raw, unrelenting feel of their earlier material, but you can feel how Matt Harvey and the rest of the band have managed to take the more impressive elements from Anatomy is Destiny and make them work in a more streamlined way.
Even though it may sound like Exhumed has gone mainstream - which is not the case, I must say that these are some of the heaviest Goregrind songs I've heard in a very long time. The mix may be crisp and clear, but their pus-and-bile covered sound festers through the speakers. The high and low growls are as ferocious as ever, and Danny Walker's performance on the drumkit is just what you would expect from one of the most versatile Metal drummers from our era. Every song, from the eponymous intro that leads into As Hammer To Anvil, to songs like Distorted and Twisted To Form, has a particular, riff, guitar solo, drum fill, or crazy scream that will make you smash every inanimate object around you while you're listening to this album. In other words: HOLY SHIT, THIS ALBUM IS SICK!!! Underground Metal needs a well deserved slap to the face, and I am pretty sure Exhumed would be more than glad to show everybody how strong their pimp hand is.

Exclusivo de You Will Move - Último set de Joythief @ El Local, Santurce Julio 2011

2011-08-04T18:51:00.001-04:00

Este fué el último set de José "Joythief" Guzmán en Puerto Rico. El mismo fué parte de una actividad del colectivo A/V Machinist que se llevó a cabo a finales del mes de Julio de 2011 en El Local en Santurce. Tambien se presentaron Eduardo Rosario y Epic Jefferson, entre otros exponentes de la experimentación sonora de Puerto Rico.

El video no es de la mejor calidad, ni pretendo que sea mi debut como cinematógrafo, pero sirve como evidencia de la última presentación de uno de los músicos mas talentosos con los que he tenido la dicha de compartir y crear música (y uno de mis mejores amigos).

Youvultures - WWYVD? EP Review

2011-07-26T16:47:00.001-04:00

Imagínate si Lighting Bolt decidiera hacer música para la banda sonora de una película de explotación de los 70. Eso es básicamente lo que Youvultures, duo del área oeste de Puerto Rico, trae a la mesa con este EP de cinco canciones. Nacido de las cenizas de Rome, Open City (una de las mejores bandas que ha tocado en este desastre de isla), Derick (bajo/samples) y Raul (batería) han creado un monstruo cuyo único propósito es alborotar como Belcebú manda y ponerte a mover ese budín como si estuvieras en el Guaya-Guaya.

Aunque la descripción que di para el sonido de la banda probablemente no le haga justicia a lo que estos muchachos están haciendo, es lo más cercano a un punto de referencia que les puedo dar. Las cinco canciones que componen este EP tienen un feel medio Punk en cuestión a la estructura, y aunque esto le moleste a aquellos que todo lo que aprendieron sobre Punk Rock lo aprendieron viendo SLC Punk, para mi es lo que le da esa energía y accesibilidad a la banda. Claro, siendo una banda noise, no a todo el mundo le va a agradar - especialmente si están acostumbrados a los sonidos mas candy-coated de esta era - pero ahí es que lo bailable de la banda entra en juego. Uno no esperaría escuchar unos ritmos tan hiperactivos como en la canción que abre el disco (WWYVD?) o en el último corte del disco (La Porno) y sentir la urgencia de tirarte la peor imitación que puedas hacer de Ritchie Valens (o de algún fan de Dávila 666 durante un show) frente al espejo mientras escuchas estas canciones, y sin embargo, es sorprendente ver como al mantener las líneas de bajo relativamente sencillas en las canciones hace que todo sea mucho más pegajoso dentro del caos que la banda está creando.

Con todo y lo positivo que encuentro el hecho de que la banda tenga cierto appeal que pueda atraer a aquellos que no son muy amantes de la música ruidosa y experimental, es en el corte más atrevido y "pesado"(Carne Trémula) donde la banda realmente brilla. Obviamente, prefiero escuchar música que anuncie el fin del mundo y la exterminación de la raza humana, y esto es lo que me gusta de este corte violento y atrevido. Esto no le resta mérito a las otras canciones, pero una parte de mi desearía que el EP hubiera tomado esta dirección más abrasiva.

No se si les pueda recomendar este EP basado en como suena el EP, ya que no todo el mundo es amante de las grabaciones de baja fidelidad. Obviamente lo que van a escuchar es un bajo bastante distorsionado y una batería bien cruda juxtapuestos con una cantidad manejable de samples. Tampoco me atrevería a compararlo con otras bandas porque, a pesar de sus similitudes con Lightning Bolt o Melt-Banana, la banda no necesariamente suena así. Mi recomendación está basada en algo que no tiene relación alguna con la banda o la temática de la misma. Si viste Scott Pilgrim vs The World (independientemente de que odies como trabajaron el material) y las escenas donde salía Sex Bob-Omb tocando te pararon los pelos, debes escuchar a YouVultures.

Puedes escuchar el EP en youvultures.bandcamp.com o contactar a la banda a través de .facebook.com/youvultures

KDC - Demo (2011) review

2011-07-25T19:53:00.001-04:00

Les debo el arte. Lo posteo mas tarde.

Luego de dos discos y varias presentaciones en la isla, la banda más querida por los que aman el Hardcore melodramático en Puerto Rico, KDC, se muda a New York - donde con solo 2 de los integrantes originales deciden grabar un demo. Sacando el hecho de que los fans que la banda tiene en la isla solo quieren escuchar la canción Calle Brumbaugh, Esquina del Pilar - y de las quejas de muchos puristas porque tocaban un estilo similar al de bandas como Comeback Kid, Bane o Title Fight (lo cual compromete tu credibilidad como rockero en la escena) - la banda siempre se ha caracterizado por haber salido del cliché de los temas sobre unidad, respeto y hermandad que siguen plagando el Hardcore luego de la muerte de lo que era el Victory Records de Raybeez y hacer algo mucho más introspectivo e inteligente dentro de su género.

Para el disgusto de los que no pueden bregar con que una banda experimente y trate cosas nuevas, el material en este demo es bastante diferente a lo que los muchachos han hecho anteriormente. Good Mourning se caracterizó por tener sus momentos"Bridge-Nine-ish", pero con letras que eran mucho más sólidas que lo que acostumbro a escuchar en otras bandas locales y Epidemic Ambition era el "Comeback-Kid-by-the-numbers", pero este disco ni siquiera combina los elementos de estos discos. Color Hostage, la primera canción de este demo, tienen un sonido mucho más agresivo y disonante que lo que estos tocaban - lo cual fué una sorpresa agradable para mi cuando escuché la canción por primera vez. The Outside is Dead trabaja con el molde tradicional del hardcore, pero con ritmos y armonías más oscuras de lo que uno generalmente encontraría en el género. La última canción, Sargento, evoca un poco al espíritu de Blacklisted en la forma como corre la canción (muchos arpeggios y un tempo más lento). Pero un disco de KDC puede ser bueno sin sing alongs y solos de guitarra?

Para mi, estas tres canciones son las más sólidas que la banda ha grabado hasta la fecha. Me gusta la dirección en la que la banda se está dirigiendo -aparte de que se escucha como la agrupación ha madurado y ha integrado sus influencias en una manera que no suena a un tributo de bajo presupuesto. El trabajo de Edwin "Aby" Ojeda en la batería complementa perfectamente las progresiones que Juan Carlos Lebrón (mejor conocido como Black Thunder) usó en este disco. Lo mejor de todo es que la banda no se está recostando de lo que han logrado anteriormente y se están atreviendo a salirse de lo que es aceptable en el género. Espero que luego de la partida de Aby la banda pueda continuar ofreciéndole algo más a los que aceptamos que ya el 2003 pasó hace 8 años.

Si te interesa una copia física del demo, o si quieres escucharlo gratis, puedes comunicarte con la banda a través de su fanpage en facebook.com/KdcPrhc.

Black Monolith - Demo Review

2011-07-11T13:24:00.001-04:00

It's "let's see how i can describe this band via name dropping" time! Imagine if Killjoy (Necrophagia/The Ravenous/Wurdulak, etc.) started a D-beat/Black Metal band with the dudes from Dishammer. That's what Black Monolith sounds like to my jaded ears in this excellent three-song demo. This is a raw, uncompromising assault on the senses that will satisfy even the most finicky Metal/Crust fans out there.

The three songs featured on the demo have a very thrashy, Hardcore Punk feel that goes very well with the more dark, primal riffs featured in songs like Abandon Heart and Dead Hand. The lo-fi vocals (that somehow remind me of Killjoy) are very fitting, and the Darkthrone-meets-Wolfbrigade inspired riffs create a skillful balance between heavy groove and the aural dissonance throughout the demo. Hedonist, the last track, has an early Carpathian Forest feel to it, with a very disturbing sample atop a very dense Doom rhythm, followed by some good old Blackened Thrash. Black Monolith sticks with the foundations of the genre, yet it makes it refreshing when you listen to it, and not many Metal albums can pull that off without taking something borrowed from another band. The crisp audio quality doesn't detract from the overall experience, since it has the right amount of clarity and heaviness to it. A part of me would like this demo to be a lot more "fizzy", as well ad having more songs to listen to, but that's just me being a complete jerk who is too lazy to put the demo on repeat..

There's not much left to say about Black Monolith's three-song demo other than "holy shit, that was intense!". It's short, filthy, fast, uncompromising, and it will leave you craving for more. Highly recommended if you like stuff like Okkultokrati, Dishammer, Darkthrone, or even stuff like Black Breath and Kverletak.

You can download their demo on their Bandcamp profile.

Origin - Entity CD Review

2011-07-10T23:33:00.000-04:00

Origin is one of those Death Metal bands that can either leave your jaw on the floor by playing some of the most intense Metal songs you could ever listen to, or they can be pretty monotonous after a few songs. Lately, their albums have been falling into the latter, and it seems that their most recent album follows that trend.

Entity tries to maintain a faster pace than their previous album, Antithesis, and you can see that the songs have more tempo changes and grooves than usual, which is good when you need a breather from all the non-stop blasting. However, some songs have several riffs that sound like afterthoughts or leftovers from older songs, which seems very likely when they seem to be capitalizing on the same sweeped arpeggio they've been playing since Informis Infinitas Inhumanitas. This makes the songs a bit repetitive, if not predictable. Sure, they can outplay most Metal bands, but none of that really matters when all your songs sound exactly the same.

Then, when you lest expect it, there is a Dillinger Escape Plan-inspired on the eight track: Committed. This felt really unnecessary and it gave me flashbacks from eight-nine years ago, when several bands were trying to mimic the then-groundbreaking New Jersey band. It is almost disorienting, and I can't tell you how many times I stopped listening to this album when that section came up because you wouldn't believe me. Sure, it is not as bad as Morbid Angel's new album (which is one of the worst reunion albums I've ever heard), but it sounds like a bunch of eight graders playing Psyopus songs. This song detracts from the the rest of the album, which is not bad by any means - if only a bt repetitive. The next track, Banishing Illusion, is almost an old school Grindcore song that feels out of place with the whole album because of how straightforward it is. Consequence of Solution shows some melody during the first half of the song, as well as some old school Death Metal touches here and there, until you get the most ridiculous, almost Santana-awful solo halfway through the song. I laughed so hard to the point where I stopped caring about this album. Sure, it turns into an almost Progressive Metal song afterwards with the odd time signatures and whatnot, but unless you're open to listen to this kind of experimentation - especially when it comes to a band that is known for sticking to their sound - it is hard not to feel detached from the whole experience during the latter half of this album.

After a few listens, I can enjoy most of the songs on this album. It just feels a bit underwhelming when you have very high expectations for a band like this, especially when they got signed to a new label and there is a new vocalist on board. It still is a good technical Death Metal album, but I can't seem to overlook those very odd moments mentioned in the past paragraph. Simply put: if you like Origin, you might like this album. If you're looking to nitpick the album based on the fact that they're on Nuclear Blast Records, you're probably going to hate it. Nevertheless, Metal drummers and people who can't stay still for more than five seconds will have a blast listening to this heavy, yet unbalanced album.

You WIll Move on Facebook

2011-07-10T07:40:00.000-04:00

How many times I've apologized for the lack of posts on this blog? It's getting old already. Even though I have not been as active on this blog as I would like to, I do appreciate your insults, comments, and advice on how not to be a jerk to my readers. Thanks to everyone who has shown some love or hate for this blog. It really means a lot and it pushes me to be a not-so-mediocre writer.

Anyways, there is a new Facebook fan page for this mess that I call my blog. There is a link at the top of the sidebar, so you can just press that if you're a lazy fuck. You can also leave comments and/or suggestions on the fan page's wall, so click this link and worship Satan

Deafheaven - Roads To Judah review

2011-06-24T01:44:00.001-04:00

First of all, I want to say that I am really happy for these guys, even though I do not know them. Not only they have released a superb follow up to their demo, but various blogs and music-related outlets seem to love Roads To Judah as much as I do, and they should. Their Deathwish Inc. debut, besides being a solid addition to Mr. Bannon's label, is one of the best Metal albums I've heard this year. It is amazing to see how a group of individuals could seamlessly blend genres as disparate as Post-Rock, Shoegaze, Screamo, and Black Metal - to the point where it doesn't even matter which genre you prefer - and make it work in a way that it almost creates a new sound, which makes them one of the few bands who are recording exceptional, forward-thinking music in this age of sampled guitars and over-processed vocals.

You can feel how the sound of the band has developed in such a short time after their demo when you listen to the first notes of Violet; the opening track of this album. The beautiful, almost dream-like tone of the guitars - and the reverberated rhythm of the drums - bewitched me before the full assault came my way. It is mesmerizing and terrifying at the same time. A juxtaposition of ethereal melody and chaotic speed. It is the same feeling I had when I first experienced the sounds of bands like Emperor, Immortal, Bethlehem, and Ulver when I was a teenager, but with a somewhat different vibe. While the themes and imagery from those bands are a bit different from what you can find on Deafheaven's lyrics , the same feel of hopelessness and solitude can be felt throughout the entire album. This is a very overlooked aspect by Black Metal bands nowadays, but that has been captured by other non-Metal bands like Mogwai and Explosions In The Sky (although in a more graceful way) for years, even though those bands come from the other side of the musical spectrum. And this is only during the first twelve minutes of the album. The rest of the songs have a deep, yet accessible feel to them - from the weightlessness of the blast beats and the subtle chord interaction between the guitarists to the more diverse drumming patterns and harmonies - they can actually make you feel the songs in ways that I cannot possibly put into words. The more you listen to it, the less you care about other bands, which is great in my not-so-humble opinion.

While it is almost inevitable to make comparisons with some of their peers (especially Wolves In The Throne Room), I feel like Deafheaven is one of the most important groups from this current generation of Black Metal bands, and one who has crafted their own sound - which is a feat that should be commended when it's pulled off with such elegance. They may not be as "kvlt" and "tr00" as .some of the bands who are still dressing up like Brandon Lee in The Crow while ripping off Darkthrone's Transylvanian Hunger, but they have the spirit and talent that other bands lack. If you have lost your faith in Metal, or if you feel like you have "grown" out of it, give these guys a try and start making Metal poses in front of your mirror again..

Comadre Mixtape 5 now available as a free download

2011-06-12T11:50:00.001-04:00

comadre.bandcamp.com

For quite some time now, Comadre has been releasing a series of free, downloadable mixtapes featuring rare, unreleased songs from their repertoire - as well as songs from other bands and artists from all around the globe. Earlier this month, the band released a new mixtape featuring seven new songs from Comadre, Punch, Broadway Calls, Daikon, Ghostlimb, Loma Prieta, Trainwreck, and a rare Funeral Diner song that was released on a cd-r some years ago. There is a $3.00 minimum donation required to download this comp and all the proceeds collected from this are going to Japan relief efforts. Not too bad considering they have given us several free albums in the past, plus, you get to listen to some of the best songs ever recorded by Ghostlimb, Loma Prieta, and Broadway Calls.

Update: The mixtape is available for free as of July 2011. Thanks to everyone who chipped in. Go get it now!!!

My two cents on the mixtape: It has a nice balance of more mellow and pretty intense songs. Broadway Calls, Ghostlimb, and Loma Prieta delivered some of the most amazing songs I've heard during these past few months. I am not familiar with Daikon, but their song is pretty solid. It kinda makes me think of Nakatomi Plaza if they played Midwestern Emo. There is some D-beat-influenced stuff on Punch's new song, but it fits very well with their raw brand of Hardcore. Trainwreck seems a bit more restrained and focused on their new song, which is good. I already have the Funeral Diner cd-r, but it was a nice addition for those who were looking for that song. The new Comadre track is okay, but I was expecting something more "catchy" from them. maybe it's because now I want all their songs to sound like Goodnight Sweet Prince from their previous mixtape. Overall, you can't complain when it comes to these mixtapes. Not only they're free, but you also get to discover some new stuff you might like.

Go to the link above for more information or if you have any questions about the mixtape or the fund raising effort.

Hey, Seth Putnam.

2011-06-12T09:45:00.000-04:00

I noticed that you're dead.

Reseña: Clear Convictions - The Mystery Of Iniquity

2011-04-18T01:33:00.001-04:00

El segundo disco de Clear Convictions puede ser visto como un intento por mantener la banda vigente luego de varios años de inactividad. El disco mantiene el sonido fuerte por el cual los muchachos ya son conocidos en la isla, lo que puede complacer a sus mas fieles y viejos fanáticos. El problema viene cuando ese sonido choca con las nuevas ideas que la banda trata de implementar en el disco, lo cual no siempre funciona como debería.

Considerando el tiempo entre discos, el segundo disco de larga duración de Clear Convictions muestra un lado más maduro de los muchachos. Aunque el estilo de Hardcore por el cual son conocidos no se presta para implementarle elementos inusuales a las canciones (o al menos eso piensan los "puristas"), la banda encontró la manera de mantener su sonido original sin repetir lo que han hecho desde su primer show. Hay elementos de Death Metal, Metalcore de principios de milenio y algunos solos de guitarra que complementan muy bien el sonido a lo First Blood/Figure Four de la banda. Tambien podemos encontrar momentos mas a tono con el Metalcore moderno en la canción The End Of An Era. A pesar de que no es uno de mis estilos favoritos, debo admitir que suena bastante bien en términos de ejecución. El disco mantiene un tempo bastante parejo, aunque algunas de las canciones se sienten más largas de lo que realmente deberian ser. Hay suficientes breakdowns para los ninjas del pit, pero me alegra que no hayan tomado la ruta de las bandas que siguen el estilo de The Acacia Strain Y Emmure de escribir canciones que su único propósito parece ser hacer un torneo de quien da mas golpes bailando.

The Mystery Of Iniquity es un disco que tiene momentos donde estuve preguntándome quien tomó algunas de las decisiones a la hora de mezclar el disco. Entre las cosas que el disco no necesita están el intro de tres minutos que parece sacado de un disco de Sisqo, el abuso de "bass drops" cada vez que viene un breakdown y una batería que suena sospechosamente artificial. Estos elementos le restan al esfuerzo que la banda puso en escribir canciones mucho más maduras que las de su disco anterior, lo cual es una pena considerando la calidad de muchos de los riffs. Hay momentos donde los gritos de Danny (ex-guitarrista y ahora vocalista) suena con bastante fuerza e intensidad, pero de vez en cuando, su voz le falla (0:15-0:16 de The Mystery of Iniquity) o simplemente suena como si estuviera tratando de hacerme reir (0:27-0:40 de Mr. Identity). Puede interpretarse como que estoy demasiado pendiente a encontrarle fallas al disco, y quizás sea verdad, pero me molesta el encontrarme disfrutando un segmento de una canción y terminar odiando la canción porque algo desvió mi atención hacia ese " algo" que me jode la canción. Algunos de los solos de guitarra suenan fuera de lugar, y aunque ya hablé de la variedad de riffs en el disco, no hay nada que realmente haga a una persona que no sigue a la banda que note las diferencias entre canciones (excepto por The End Of An Era).

A final de cuentas The Mystery Of Iniquity trata de unir dos generaciones de fanáticos del lado más pesado del Hardcore bajo un mismo sonido. El problema está en lo que me atrevería a llamar como timidez de parte de la banda a la hora de experimentar con su sonido. No es fácil complacer a todos los fanáticos del género, especialmente en esta isla llena de gente opinionada, pero estas canciones pudieron ser mucho más provocadoras de lo que son. El disco se deja escuchar con todo y esas fallas, pero se me hace difícil recomendarlo para aquellos que aún esperan que Clear Convictions regrese a los tiempos donde hacían covers de Throwdown. Si te gusta este estilo de Hardcore pa' morder bloques y ver lucha libre, pues no hay razón para no darle una oportunidad a un disco que no es tan malo como lo he hecho sonar en esta reseña.

R.I.P. Henrik Frykman

2011-03-30T14:15:00.001-04:00

I am not the biggest Disfear fan out there, but yeah.

Click for more, including a brief statement made by his band mates.

Deicide - To Hell With God Review

2011-02-24T11:42:00.001-05:00

Glen Benton is an odd character. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with Florida's horrible weather, or the fact that he's just a goofball, but he is a man who obviously needs some sort of counseling. If you need further proof, check out Till Death Do Us Part, which had the most awful "I hate my ex" lyrics this side of Remembering Never. I almost imagined Glen sporting the "br00tal" kid look, with his hair covering half of his face, just so people can't see the sadness of a broken heart in his weary eyes when I first listened to that pile of shit album. Still, he marches on, with his never-fading inverted cross on his forehead, in his personal war against God, also known in the Midwest as Tom Petty. More than ten years full of lame albums have passed, but good, ol' Glen and the mischievous gang have decided to revisit their mid-90's sound this time, and they delivered a good, yet unsatisfying record.

Technically speaking, there is nothing wrong with To Hell With God, even though that Stryper-inspired pun made me cringe the first time I read it. The songs are a lot better than those featured on Till Death Do Us Part, especially when Jack Owen and Ralph Santolla came up with better riffs this time around, and the album has a vibe somewhat akin to Serpents Of The Light, but it fails at keeping the listener interested for more than a few songs. Every Deicide album suffers from this, as I can't say I've enjoyed any of their albums to the fullest, but I do like some songs from every album. However, I must say I do enjoy the somewhat "melodic" approach of the album. Of course, it has Mr. Santolla shredding on almost every song, which can be a bit too much for some listeners, but I prefer him doing this on this album than on an Obituary album. Also, it is good to hear that Glen Benton still has some energy left after all these years of screaming like a lunatic. But these elements are not enough to make them stand out in an over-saturated genre filled with has-been bands (every Kam Lee project).

In the end, this album has a few good songs that will have you making Metal faces in the privacy of your odd-smelling basement. Standout tracks include the very Jack Owen-esque Angels in Hell, Servant Of The Enemy, and Witness of Death, which feels like an outtake from Once Upon The Cross. While these songs are pretty good, the rest of the album fails to keep the intensity of this handful of songs. Maybe I've been spoiled by the nothing-less-than-stellar performance Glen Benton gave on those Vital Remains records, but I know they can do better. As one of the premier Floridian Death Metal bands from the old Roadrunner days, I hope they are not resting on their fan's undying nostalgia, because I don't think we need ten more years of mediocre releases from what should have been the biggest Death Metal band to ever come out of the United States.

Graf Orlock - Doombox Review

2011-02-14T07:31:00.001-05:00

As someone who grew up in the ghetto and went to public schools all his life, I'm fond of 90's Blaxploitation movies like Menace II Society or Juice. Even though drug-dealing and being around people from the projects in Puerto Rico was way too different from what you would see in these movies back in the day, it was stuff I could relate to. Somehow, this movie sub-genre has faded into obscurity, except for a few, direct-to-video releases that are laughable at their best. Graf Olrock seems to remember these days, and with Doombox, they have released the ultimate ghetto blasting tribute to 90's West Coast crime drama.

As soon as I heard the intro to Wrecking Crew, I went into a weird state of mind where I even had flashbacks from these movies. Then, the song kicked in, and I knew the cinema snobs were back. This time, they sound more focused and heavier than ever. There is this slight "Destination Time Yesterday" vibe to it, although these songs are a bit more spastic, but in a different way. There's not so much blasting, and the groove parts are better integrated into the songs, which is something you would expect from a band with so many albums under their "pleather" belts, yet they still know how to keep up the intensity with more varied rhythms and riffs. Of course, you could still consider this a Grindcore/Power Violence/whatever-you-want-to-call-it release, but there is so much in there than just blast and tremolo picking.

Other reviews have name-dropped several bands to compare the sound of this album, but I think Graf Orlock has their own sound, and they have been honing it for almost eight years. From the most brutal and primitive drumming this side of Kyle Severn-era Incantation, to the balls-out Metal riffs, and the trademark, double vocal delivery, there is no band out there that sounds like them, even when dual vocals are not a rarity in this genre. There's even some nods to those 90's Death Row Records weird audio samples on some riffs (Wrecking Crew 1:08-1:10 and 1:17-1:19), which put a smug smile on my face, as it I knew some kind of inside joke related to this. Songs like Job Hunt and South Central are as brutal as the gritty depictions of urban violence shown on these movies, and 1993: A Week B4 Graduation has the most obnoxious, diabolical guitar solo ever recorded on a Graf Orlock album. Almost every song on this album has an oddball moment, keeping things interesting throughout the EP. Listeners will be caught off guard on various occasions, which adds to the overall chaotic feel of these songs.

I don't know how much of a deal it is that they have a new vocalist, but I really like how he sounds. Karl Bournze sounds like the bastard child of Choke (Slapshot) and Mr. Gore (Gorerotted), and his screams can be described as one of the most unusual vocals in grind this side of Cripple Bastards. Still, his delivery shines on South Central, where he sounds deranged as fuck. He complements Jason's Schmidt's barked shouts, making the dual vocal setup work once again. If you love to listen to music where everyone screams at you, Doombox will fit nicely in your record collection.

I wish this album had more songs, because it's so good, and it does not need to use a million "Meshuggah-meets-Korn" riffs to prove how heavy they are. If you like Graf Orlock, you are going to love this album. If you're not familiar with them, this is a good place to start before checking their older releases. Of course, it is an acquired taste, but like the finer things in life, it gets better the more you are exposed to it. And the album cover turns into an old-school boom box, what else do you want, you spoiled prick?

You can get this EP, which comes bundled with the "Destination trilogy" for a few measly credits on the Vitriol Records webstore.

Ghostlimb - Infrastructure Review

2011-02-14T06:05:00.001-05:00

Ghostlimb are an odd bunch when you compare them to what's "hot" out there. They don't sound like David Guetta with breakdowns, nor they pretend to be the most evil, angst-ridden band out there. Hell, they don't even fit into what's considered "hardcore" by those who keep it way too real. However, they are one of the most genuine, brutally honest bands you could ever hear, and they continue to prove this with their new album.

Infrastructure shows a more eclectic sound than their previous efforts, yet it doesn't alienate those of us who were used to their relentless aural assault. The Punk Rock/Classic Rock influence is much stronger this time around, but it works without sounding like a played-out gimmick (see: Alexisonfire/Evergreen Terrace/Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster). The way these riffs are integrated into this maelstrom of disgust and defiance brings a lot of dynamics to their sound. Of course, it wouldn't be a Ghostlimb album without some good old Crossover/Thrashy riffs, and when you mix both, you'll find yourself air drumming like a maniac. Speaking of drums, the drumming on this album is tight, punchy, and diverse. I think this is the tightest record, performance-wise the band has ever released, and I can only imagine how crazy these new songs could sound in a live setting. The mix is super clear, yet it has that "something"that makes the band sound articulate, yet aggressive.

Lyrics-wise, there is a lot to cover here, with topics that range from same-sex marriage issues (Eight) and the state of the Music Industry in the 21st Century (Unending Ache), to personal growth (Asphalt) or even interpersonal relationships (Incomplete Works), and each topic is exposed very eloquently. It's not everyday when I come across stuff like this, where I'm challenged to go through all of Bloom's Taxonomy levels and lose my mind, figuring whether I agree or not with what I'm listening and reading. While everything Justin says is put very bluntly, you'll have to think twice before saying he's full of shit, considering that these are some of the most educated lyrics you could find in any genre nowadays. Every statement has a lot of weight, and I would even consider them worthy of debating in a classroom. Yep, fucker's that smart. But don't let the "intellectual" stuff scare you, since these are issues that are part of our everyday lives, yet we do not take the time to go beyond what we hear on the news to analyze what's going on in the world and how this affects us. A good underground album should push buttons and make you think about what's being said for a second, and that's what Infrastructure does.

Ghostlimb is a band who always dares to defy convention, especially in this era of uncontrolled, prepubescent hissy fits and auto-tuned choruses, and I give them props for that. Infrastructure shows that Hardcore music can still be thought-provoking and controversial while being as subtle as a sledgehammer to the face. Definitely, this is one of those albums you should dedicate some time to fully appreciate it, but the good thing is that it gets better and better the more you listen to it. And it you take the time to fully understand what's being said, you might learn something other than how to download stuff from Megaupload.

And it has an awesome Leatherface cover. if you don't like Leatherface, you should throw yourself off a bridge

Preorders will be available Saturday, March 19th, at 8:00 p.m. PST through Vitriol Records. There will be 100 vinyl copies available in silver, so if you're interested, you know what to do.

Atención bandas "metal" de Puerto Rico

2011-01-08T18:08:00.000-05:00

Paren de tocar la misma mierda que todo el mundo tocaba en el 2002.

Atentamente:
La gerencia.

I couldn't come up with a decent title for this entry, so here's my favorite stuff from 2010

2011-01-01T12:15:00.005-05:00

I think my creativity has gone to the shitter during the last few months due to the lack of sleep, among other things like not writing music/playing shows since September, as well as not leaving the house unless it's absolutely necessary, like going to work or buying groceries. However, being secluded has given me the opportunity to better appreciate those things that I really enjoyed throughout the year.

While 2010 seemed like a slow and uninteresting year, there are some albums, movies, and video games that really impressed me, not only because they were fun to watch, play, and/or listen to, but they kept me engrossed during the time I had the opportunity to experience them. I may be a man of simple taste, but even though most of these picks may not be something that a creative, forward thinking person might enjoy, they sure did their job when it came to meeting my only criteria when it comes to any kind of medium: how do you make me care about your film, album, or game?

My favorite albums of 2010:

1: Deafheaven - Demo - From the moment I heard Libertine Dissolves, these guys had me. Their demo has to be one of the albums that i played the most during the year. There is something bizarre, yet amazing as listening to a relatively young band taking elements from two very different genres, and making them work in a way that is not pretentious. Definitely check these guys out.

2: Envy - Recitation - One of the most important bands from Japan, regardless of genre, have delivered one of the most beautiful sounding albums I've ever heard. While I must admit that I found some of their previous albums a bit boring, they really one-upped themselves with this album. The level of musicianship and mastery of dynamics and song structure is pretty evident with this album, because when it's subtle and melodic, it's the sweetest thing your ears could ever listen to, but when it's intense, you can feel it in ways that I cannot put into words.

3: Circle Of Dead Children - Psalm Of The Grand Destroyer - The most vile, heavy, and loud album of the year from one of the most under-appreciated Grindcore bands from the United States. Sure, it's all blast beats, down-tuned guitars, and belching vocals, but when it's performed to the point where it seems like the band is trying to destroy their instruments, as well as everything in front of them, there is no reason whatsoever to belittle a band who is actually caring about delivering some of the most brutal songs your uneducated ears can handle.

4: End Of A Year - You Are Beneath Me - One of the most odd-sounding bands from New York is also one of the best bands that area has to offer right now. You Are Beneath Me is an album that must be experienced by those who have lost their faith in underground music in general, especially those who're stuck with the Dischord/old Jade Tree bands. Simple, yet great songs with lyrics that go beyond the usual nonsense that plague most Post Hardcore bands. A really amazing album.

5: Punch - Push Pull - Are you bummed because most Hardcore bands nowadays sound sterile, harmless, even Bridge-Nine-board-stupid? Punch fixes that, tearing a much needed new asshole into the genre. Raw, relentless, vicious, like a coked-up Rottweiler going apeshit at a birthday party. This is one intense album that will make you believe you are Conan The Barbarian.

6: the_Network - Bishop Kent Manning - Noisy, heavy, angry, what else could you ask for? the_Network always delivers the goods, and their latest album will leave your jaw floored with their dissonant, abrasive sound. There is no other band right now louder and more savage than these guys. Go see them live if you get the chance.

7: Dangers - Messy, Isn't It? - The most intelligent Hardcore album of the year. Taking a shit on the genre's clichés and conventions, they are the proudly acting like the black sheep of Hardcore. They will make you question everything you believe in, and they will laugh in your face while you're at it. They are, without question, the most confrontational Hardcore band out there right now, regardless of what you think.

8: Mountain Asleep - Smile Medicine -These guys delivered one of the most impressive EPs of the year. Great drumming and guitar interplay, as well as a seamless juxtaposition of Hardcore-Punk's crude sound with Midwestern Emo melodies. Louisville, KY is a breeding ground for awesome bands, and Mountain Asleep is no exception.

9: Hayaino Daisuki - Invincible Gate Mind Of The Infernal Fire Hell - John Cheng is back with another EP full of the best Thrash Metal riffs this side of Vio-Lence. This EP is an improvement over their previous effort, both in songwriting and production values. These guys can outplay the vast majority of the new Thrash bands out there without taking themselves too seriously, which is great.

10: Loma Prieta - Life/Less - As dirty and unpolished as Screamo can get. This time, Loma Prieta delivered one of the most visceral, raw albums of the year. They still have their usual melodies here and there, but the real beauty of this album is how fizzy and abrasive it is. It made me wonder how their earlier albums would sound if they were recorded like this.

Favorite movies of 2010:

1: Machete
2: Toy Story 3
3: Kick-Ass
4: Piranha 3D
5: Scott Pilgrim vs The World
6: Paranormal Activity 2
7: Tron Legacy
8: Black Swan
9: The Expendables
10: Harry Brown

When I go see a movie, I don't expect said movie to be a "life-changing experience", nor it has to be so abstract that I have to over-analyze said movie, as if I had to write a research paper based on it. The only thing I expect when I have to sit through an hour-and-a-half (sometimes more) movie is to be entertained while I'm laughing, screaming, or enjoying myself. I do not have to feel bad for enjoying films such as Machete or Piranha 3D just because they're dumb, childish movies, and there is nothing wrong with that. Maybe these movies won't go down in history as the greatest movies ever made, but I can say that I enjoyed them thoroughly, whether it was watching them by myself or with my closest friends, and I must say that I loved every second of them. I'm a sucker for having a blast whenever limbs and severed heads fly everywhere in a movie, which probably means that you think that my brain turned into pudding, but that doesn't mean you're the most brilliant, contemporary thinker of our time just because you enjoy Wes Anderson movies.

Favorite video games of 2010:

1: 3D Dot Game Heroes
2: Super Street Fighter IV
3: Alan Wake
4: Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game
5: Blazblue: Continuum Shift
6: Mass Efect 2
7: Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit
8: Yakuza 3
9: Nier
10: Bayonetta

Why is 3D Dot Game Heroes at the top of this list instead of Super Street Fighter IV? As much as I love Super Street Fighter IV , as well as the interactions I have with people online, as well as those ridiculous moments I experienced while playing against my friends over the past seven months, this "kinda-obscure" game from Atlus has a particular charm that had me smiling like a jerk every time I picked up the controller. It is a love song to the 8 and 16-bit era of video games, and all the video game and Internet culture references are so well integrated within the story, it makes you care about this game and the characters. As for the rest of the list, these games were engaging, fun to play, and kept me engaged for many, many hours (more than 250 hours and 2,000+ online fights and counting on Super Street Fighter IV should give you an idea). Sure, I missed many other titles this year, which I'm sure I'll try to pick up as soon as I can, but from the batch of games I was able to try out and play this year, the ones mentioned above are the ones that I enjoyed the most.

Anyways, that's it for now. Happy New Year, and I'll try to procrastinate less and write more stuff about bands you could probably care less about this year.

Merry Christmas freebies

2010-12-25T13:58:00.000-05:00

The fine fellows from La Dispute have all their albums up for grabs on their Bandcamp page. Everything from their recent split with Touche Amore to early stuff can be downloaded for free right now, so head to http://ladispute.bandcamp.com/ and get some new tunes for what's left of the year.

The Atomic Garden Recording Studio

2010-12-22T01:46:00.000-05:00

This is just a quick shout out to Jack and his studio down in the Bay Area. If you're in the West Coast, San Francisco, or anywhere nearby, and you want to lay down some tracks, just go to http://theatomicgarden.com/ and do your thing.

At Our Heels: Misanthropy and Godlessness album review

2010-12-01T10:57:00.003-05:00

It was a pleasant surprise when I saw that At Our Heels was still around, since it has been a while since I've heard anything from these guys, so, it goes without saying that it's great to see such an awesome band getting signed (and being distributed through several labels). Their new album, Misanthropy and Godlessness, features some of the tightest Metal-infused hardcore you can get your hands on right now, which is great considering that most "Hardcore" bands nowadays are pretty lame, music and lyrics-wise.

If you're into bands like From Ashes Rise or American Nightmare, you'll definitely like this album. However, that's not how I would describe the sound of this band. Sure, they do show their influences throughout the album, but they also incorporate elements from Black and even Doom Metal into their dark, yet relentless sound. The guitars sound as brooding as anything on any Immolation record, the rhythm section (especially the drums) are superb, and the desperate, manic screams of Alex add to the overall punishing feel of this album. Songs like Rituals, Graves, and Unholy are a perfect example of how you can fuse both Metal and Hardcore without sounding like you're trying too hard to be "br00tal".

As I said, this is a pretty solid release from a considerably young band that deserves your attention. Fans of the bands mentioned above, as well as stuff like Cursed, or even Lewd Acts should, by all means, check this album out. This is as good as Hardcore gets, and you should start taking notes, because you're getting your ass schooled by these Californians.

Their new album is available at a very modest price through several labels/distros such as Creator-Destructor Records and Deathwish Inc. You can also get some of their earlier stuff (which is highly recommended) here.

Leslie Nielsen (1926-2010)

2010-11-29T04:16:00.000-05:00

I just read that Leslie Nielsen died from Pneumonia, and I don't know why, but I'm pretty sad right now. Maybe it's because I grew up with his kind of humor, watching The Naked Gun, Airplane, and Police Squad reruns on T.V., and laughing my ass off to his unrivaled slapstick performances, and while other great comedians like George Carlin, Bernie Mac, or even Richard Pryor have passed away, his death has certainly affected me.

What a shitty way to start my week off. R.I.P. You will be missed.

News and stuff.

2010-11-24T04:27:00.001-05:00

Blame these for the lack of entries during these past several months.

I've been away working, play way too many video games, trying to write new music, and doing other stuff that has nothing to do with this blog. I missed writing shitty reviews and reading the berated reactions from people who think I'm a jerk for talking shit about stuff I don't like. Anyways, I want to review some stuff, but first, here's some stuff you should definitely check out.

Punch: Their latest album (Push/Pull) has been restocked. Shout outs to one of my readers, Jake, for letting me know about this (sorry for posting this now, I suck). You should definitely go to the Rev HQ store and see if there's a copy waiting for you. I still stand by my statement that this is the best hardcore album I've heard this year.
Comadre: These hard-working dudes have released another mix-tape full of collaborations with dudes from Ghostlimb, Broadway Calls, Dead To Me, among others. Grab that shit here.
Vitriol Records: Pre-orders are up for the new Graf Orlock Doombox 10"plus the destination Trilogy, along with Owen Hart's Earth Control CD + LP, and a Buyer's Remorse 7". As usual, the Vitriol page is filled with belligerent rants that will make you reach for the nearest thesaurus. Click here to get more info (and insults).
Chupa Mis Ovarios: Julia y los muchachos keep bringing the goods to their blog. There's lots of live footage from different hardcore bands, articles, downloads, you name it. Instead of watching kittens and stolen memes at Tumblr, get your shit together and click this.
Reloj Bomba Mix-Tape: Hommy's delivering the goods on a daily basis, even when he's touring the East Coast with Anti-Sociales and Un Final Fatal (if you're in NYC, go check them out tomorrow and on Friday. Look them up on facebook and drop Hommy a line to check the venues). Besides all the usual good stuff associated with one of the best blogs from Puerto Rico, he is asking for mixtapes. The deadline to submit your is December 1st, so if you're interested, go to Reloj Bomba and submit your playlist. Even though it's in Spanish, you can drop him a line, and he'll gladly translate everything for you.

I guess that's it for now. I want to review some stuff that I've been listening to during these past few weeks, so I'll try to have something that's not too awful ready for the weekend.

P.S. I heard the new Magrudergrind/Scion E.P., and I've also read some reactions to what could be considered one of the riskiest moves done by an underground band in 2010. It is not a bad EP (although it has the most boring, unnecessary long song these guys have ever recorded) , but I must say this was the stupidest decision these guys have ever made as a Grindcore band, and something they will regret as the years go by. I know there is a lot of controversy, and that other bands have been taking a lot of flak because of these corporate sponsorships, but I do not feel like I'm the one who should be judging them for this, even though I think this will taint their reputation as a legitimate, D.I.Y. band. I can only wish them the best of luck, since they're good kids, but right now, they're in a very fucked up situation that no band, big or small, would ever want to be in.

Now go and have your turkey/pork/BBQ binge, unless you're vegan, which means you may be acting like a sourpuss right now. Regardless of your diet, here's something we can all enjoy: a superb, well written Melodic Death Metal song from one of the most criminally underrated and under-appreciated bands from Sweden, Pandemonium. This album (Insomnia) was released back in 2002 I think, and I still love it, as well as many other rare gems from that era. Anyways, here's one of the songs from that album, so enjoy.

Sleep deprivation...

2010-09-07T05:32:00.001-04:00

...and stupid people who appear on your "people you may know" box on facebook.

Fuck 'em.

Here's some Gaza. They deserve this spot on the blog more than my complains above.

Vitriol Records on Facebook

2010-09-06T15:36:00.001-04:00

Vitriol Records now has a Facebook fanpage for all the stalkers out there. Check them out, buy some stuff, download some songs, and support the house that Marxists built.

I think there are some items on sale, so you can also check out their official site and do your labor day shopping there.

Punch - Push Pull LP Review

2010-09-06T05:34:00.000-04:00

Punch seems to have proven something with this album. Not that they had something to prove after one phenomenal EP and a super Self Titled LP, but they actually did it. They have shown that Push Pull has more balls than you and your stupid "Hardcore" dance troupe/scenster crew. Also, they have something more relevant to say than you progressively pretentious "indie" band, and even more ruthless and dangerous than your bullshit, misogynistic "br00tal" band. You thing you're filled with anger, but you can;t compare your end-of-adolescence frustration to their wrath of unholy proportions. You, the one who dares to call himself Hardcore, are not ready for this.

With that being said, this LP has everything Hardcore music is missing nowadays. It is intense, violent, and savage . They're putting Death Metal and Grindcore bands to shame with this one. Yeah, it is that good. I haven't been so fired up after listening to a Hardcore album since I first heard Los Crudos a million years ago. I know most "Hardcore purists" would redirect me to some generic, by-the-numbers band, but I'd rather be a poser in their eyes and listen to what I think is one of the best Hardcore bands in recent history, than having to sit down and listen to another cookie-cutter band trying too hard for their own good. There's a lot of heavy riffs, frantic drumming, manic vocals, and just plain filth and violence on the overall sound of this album that you'll end up punching inanimate objects around you (like I did). Songs like Let Me Forget and Second Chance are the most intense, chaotic songs I've heard this year. There is a Wolfbrigade/Disfear feel to some of the mid-paced segments of some songs, but overall, this is a Crust/Grindcore lesson on how to obliterate everything around you.

There are songs that will make you stomp and bang your melon as if you were having a seizure (Give It A Name, Sour Grapes), songs that will make you relive the glory days of Scandinavian church burnings (Positively God Free), and songs that are the sonic equivalent of fighting Godzilla with your bare hands (Microcausm). The lyrics are as poignant and in-your-face as ever, and delivered with such ferocity and rage, that most Black Metal bands should feel ashamed of themselves for not stepping up their game. This is one of the aspects that i enjoy the most out of this album, since it gives me hope after listening to so many mediocre, overrated bands lately. Personally, I really love how they took a shot at people who're always complaining about how shitty their lives are without doing something about it, or how everything around them sucks, which is a nice contrast to the whiny, spoiled-brat attitude of most people out there (including Puerto Ricans), and I couldn't be happier (or agree more) with what they said..

I wish these guys would get the recognition (and exposure) bands who don't have an eight of their talent get. Punch is one of the best bands out there right now, regardless of genre. If you claim to be into extreme music, from Exhumed to 1349, from Impetigo to Triac, you must listen to this album by any means necessary. It is sould out on the band's e-Store, but you can at least support a great band by purchasing one of their shirts. Also, you could hit them up on My Space and book them or tell them how grateful you are for having a band that, rather than talking about Hardcore and keeping it real, goes out and destroys everything in front of them without taking shit from anyone.

Somebody should give this blog a new layout

2010-09-05T21:12:00.000-04:00

Because I'm too lazy to learn how to do it, and I'm posting this to keep up with Reloj Bomba, who were recently accused of spamming the prhc.org board by people with ridiculously curly hair.

Want to help a spic out? Leave a comment, or keep fapping to images of assless, tattooed women who will never hang out with you while you keep listening to Four Year Strong or some shit like that..

Dulzura Borincana - Gummi Brains Photo Review

2010-09-05T20:54:00.000-04:00

Delicious, gory fun.

Deafheaven - DFHVN Demo Review

2010-09-05T20:19:00.001-04:00

I gotta be honest, the real reasons for the lack of reviews lately have been my lack of interest in any of the recent releases, plus my devotion to Super Street Fighter IV. However, I've been listening to this demo for a month or so, and I gotta say, this is one of the best bands I've discovered in a while. Even with my current apathetic attitude towards my scene and making music right now, this San Francisco group has inspired me to, not only keep writing stupid reviews, but to stop procrastinating and start writing music again.

I don't know much about the band, except for their location, and that they play one of the most outrageous fusions you could ever think of. Imagine if someone dared to mash up Ulver's Nattens Madrigal (Madrigal Of The Night) with Envy's A Dead Sinking Story. That's exactly how this band sounds, and they know how to mix both genres seamlessly. It is amazing how a group of individuals, who are obviously not bragging about their musical chops by uploading self-pleasuring videos of themselves playing their songs on their respective instruments on any streaming video site, can outplay said pretentious (and mediocre) players.

Each song on this demo: the balls-out-assault-meets-graceful-melody of Libertine Dissolves, the delightful instrumental Bedrooms, and the sonic interpretations of a war between Archangels and the legions of Satan of Daedalus and Exit Denied, are built around the most recognizable elements of both genres: the raw feel of old school Black Metal, and the hooks and crescendos associated with the more experimental side of Screamo. These contrasting elements could make the "TR00 KVLT BLACK MET0L" 40-year-old goths or the "I think fixies, offset Helvetica, and worn-out Vans are the coolest things on Earth" crowd shudder, but it actually works. Both genres, although quite different from each other, also share (in some cases) the same atmospheric feel, and also when you compare bands like Orchid or Mayhem, they both play fast, chaotic music that seems to be appreciated only by Pazuzu worshipers like yours truly. These songs are so well written and structured that every time I listen to the demo, I only grow fonder of these compositions.

By far, this is my favorite album of 2010, and I've not nothing else to say about it except GET INTO IT, MOTHERFUCKER!!!

You can check them out (and give them some well-deserved digital money) on Bandcamp.

Mountain Asleep - Smile Medicine 7" Review

2010-07-29T17:11:00.000-04:00

Mountain Asleep is a relatively new band from the state that gave us By The Grace of God and Lords, but unlike their predecesors, these guys have a sound more akin to what's happening in the Indiana/Chicago area right now. It is a bit hard to categorize them, but they have a very energetic sound that should appeal to both Emo and Hardcore/Punk fans.

This four-song seven inch will appeal to those familiar with groups like Sinaloa, but their approach to music is a lot more Hardcore/Punk oriented, with some more unconventional flourishes. The guitar work on this 7" is pretty interesting. These guys know how to keep things simple, but at the same time they pull off some amazing, catchy guitar passages here and there, and the rhythm section manages to be crazy when it needs to. The vocals are pretty raspy, but they aren't unintelligible, which helps. It is not a "scream fest"(see Orchid), but you can feel the urgency in the vocal delivery.

I know I'm being kinda vague with this review, but Smile Medicine is something you should experience if you are into real Emo or good Hardcore/Punk. Maybe fans of End Of A Year, Sinaloa, Heroin, or some of the most recent Midwestern acts may enjoy this. At least i can say this is one of the best releases I've heard this year, not because I wasn't expecting something like this from a Louisville band, but for how awesome this seven inch sounds everytime I listen to it.

Check them out on My Space.

Nuevo blog que deberías ver.

2010-07-26T17:18:00.000-04:00

Reloj Bomba estrena hoy con 2 entradas, incluyendo una excelente reseña acerca del show tributo a Chepi Kabezudos de ayer Domingo 25 en San Sebastián. Si te gustaba el Zine (Sin) Ideas, pues debes leer este blog, el cual es de José 'Hommy" Cabrera, creador de dicho zine. Asumo que pronto tendrá más colaboradores, pero en lo que, disfruta de lo que ya está escrito.

http://relojbomba.blogspot.com/

Circle Of Dead Children - Psalm Of The Grand Destroyer CD Review

2010-06-30T11:59:00.002-04:00

After I don't know how many years, and probably a few lineup changes, Circle Of dead Children delivers what has to be one of their heaviest albums since The Genocide Machine. I don't care how "technical" or "brutal" your favorite band is, they can't possibly compare to the ugly, disfigured mess that is Circle Of Dead Children, one of my favorite bands of all time.

Psalm Of The Grand Destroyer could be considered one of CODC's finest albums, especially when they seem to have fine tuned their songwriting skills. Everything, especially the rhythm section, seems tighter, which helps a lot when playing this type of music. Maybe it's because this album was produced by Scott Hull, but these fourteen songs (including a new version of Ursa Major) are some of the best grind/Metal songs I've heard this year. It is ridiculously heavy, fast, and over the top, and that's how I like my Metal. Songs like Obsidian Flakes and When Human Compost Stains All Earth and Repels the Messengers of Love are everything you should expect from Circle Of Dead Children: hyperactive drumming, angular riffs, and some of the nastiest breakdowns this side of Suffocation. They also know how to slow it down and deliver some good Doom moments, like in the opening song Avatar of Innocence, but overall, they manage to play with these three rhythmic variations (blasting, slam riffs, thick and slow riffs) while making it gel in ways I can't possibly understand.

Of course, those of you into Nu Metal bands who claim to be heavy, but the only thing they know how to do is ripping off At The Gates, will cringe at this, but if you're into stuff like older Pig Destroyer, Nasum, or even Last Days Of Humanity, you should give this album a try. It's the closest thing to Hateplow's The Only Law Is Survival we'll ever hear this year, and maybe in a long time. Put this album on, get naked and start a fight with someone. That's how good Psalm Of The Grand Destroyer is, and I hope they can finally keep a stable lineup so I can enjoy more releases like this. Maybe I'm too hyped because I've waited a long time to get a new Circle Of Dead Children album, but I don't care. This album rules.

Go to Willowtip Records and preorder this nasty motherfucker.

Comadre/Glasses 2x7" Split Review

2010-06-30T11:24:00.000-04:00

It is very appropiate to have this release out while these bands are touring Europe as I write this. This release features four new Comadre songs, and three songs from Glasses, a band from Germany I heard before on the last Comadre mixtape that features members from Trainwreck. It is a well rounded split that perfectly showcases Comadre's punk-meets-Screamo sound and the more "Rock & Roll" approach to Hardcore of Glasses.

Comadre's side has a bit of the more "unusual" style of their split with Trainwreck, along with some stuff that reminds me of Songs About The Man. The noodly riffs and more midtempo grooves on The Sweeter The Juice and the frantic pace of Count Basie Box Set act as a sample of what Comadre has done throughout their releases. It can be considered a small preview for the uninitiated, although I would reccomend checking their older albums for a better reference. Still, their four songs on this split are pretty solid, considering the length of their "side" of this split.

Glasses has this raunchy, fast, and chaotic sound that demands to be heard. They sound like a mix between late 90's Hardcore and Southern rhythms, along with some stuff that could've been on a Trainwreck album. No, they don't sound like Lords, Zeke, or any of those bands. The whiskey-soaked riffs are more subdued here, as they're only minor flourishes in their circle pit-oriented brand of Hardcore. Tigers and So Right are songs that you should not listen while driving, unless you want to kill yourself by crashing against a garbage truck. Their songs are spastic, fast, and will make you stomp some heads live.

I can't stress enough how good this split is. Sure, it took me a while to get into the more midpaced Comadre songs, since I'm a sucker for some of their older, faster songs, but both bands delivered a pretty good set of songs that should satisfy those familiar with this kind of Punk Rock and Hardcore.

You can get this through Vitriol Records on the cheap, so get into it.

Loma Prieta - Life/Less LP Review

2010-06-28T19:29:00.000-04:00

Back in the early 2000's, there was a band featuring members from Extreme Noise Terror called Failed Humanity, and their only full length release, The Sound Of Razors Through Flesh, is the most accurate description of how that album sounds. What does this has to do with Loma Prieta's new release? I'm not really sure, but that album came to mind when I heard the raw, violent, and heavy sound that oozes from my headphones as I type these senseless words.

Loma Prieta is a pretty chaotic band, but in their most recent releases, they incorporated a bit of melody and dynamic shifts on their songs. Life/Less is more akin to Our LP Is Your EP; a relentless assault on the senses that feels like getting your pubes trimmed with a chainsaw. I was pretty surprised by how dirty this LP sounds compared to Dark Mountain or Last City, and I love it, but it may be a bit of a letdown for some of the most finnicky ears out there. They still show how polished their musicianship and songwriting skills are right now, especially when they make those transitions between clean guitar passages and the most distorted, undecypherable riffs. What makes this album so good is how heavy it is without having to use eight string guitars and dumbed down slam riffs. The proof that these guys are on top of their game when it comes to creating a whirlwind of noise is how every song has its own feel to it, but they all paint a bigger aural picture when you sit down and listen to the album from start to finish, leaving the listener satisfied, and sometimes, wating more. I definitely want more, since this is a pretty short album (even though it has ten songs), but I'd rather have a short, tight album than a 78-song-sleep-inducing-release.

There's not a lot I can write about this album. This is one of the finest Screamo/Powerviolence/whatever you want to call it bands out there right now, and this album fells like it was made for those who miss the sound of bands like Neil Perry or Jerome's Dream. Whether this is one of the best releases of 2010 depends on what else you liked during these past six months, but I think this album contains some of the best songs on their catalog, and arguably the most unrestrained songs on the genre right now. I think this is already sold out on Discos Huelga, so that gives you an idea how good Life/Less is.

Entrevista a Justin Smith de Dangers

2010-06-09T05:18:00.005-04:00

Messy, Isn't It, el disco más reciente de los titanes de Los Angeles, Dangers, es uno de los discos que más me ha gustado en lo que va de año. No solo el disco está lleno de letras inteligentes, música que juega con elementos de dierentes géneros musicales que podrían parecer disparatados, y una agresividad que parece estar en peligro de extinción dentro del Hardcore. Pero más allá de reescribir mi reseña del disco, decidí contactar a la banda, para preguntarle sobre como ellos ven la escena subterranea, los temas que la banda toca en sus canciones, y de esas cosas que los mueven a ellos, no tan solo como músicos, también como individuos. El siempre simpaticón, barbudo y vivaracho guitarrista de la banda, Justin Smith (Graf Orlock, Ghostlimb, ex-As Hope Dies, entre otras bandas alborotosas que te ponen el nié a pedir cacao) accedió a contestar estas preguntas justo antes de prepararse para la gira de Dangers y Graf Orlock por Australia, donde compartirán con bandas como Robotosaurus y Coerce).

You Will Move: Dangers parece ser una banda "poco tradicional" en cuanto a letras y música se refiere. Sus letras mencionan y/o contienen referencias de poetas, escritores, como también hablan de experiencas personales, lo cual puede ser un algo inusual para algunos. Alguna vez han sido acusados de ser "demasiado pretenciosos" por no aferrarse a las estructuras y temas más comunes dentro del género? Es esto una reacción a la temática prevalente hoy día por bandas que parecen estar molestas con todo el mundo sin decir por qué o dar una razón lógica para ello?

Justin Smith: Creo que aun es importante mantenerse molesto. No diría que estamos tratando de ser "no-tradicionales" solo por usar elementos del mundo literario o de la cultura popular, es solo algo que está fuera de los límites auto impuestos por otras bandas con una perspectiva más reducida. Con eso dicho, pienso que siempre hay un nivel latente de pretensión cuando uno piensa que lo que uno tiene que decir es suficientemente importante como para plasmarlo en un producto petroquímico. Pero con todo y eso, pienso que el disco terminó siendo uno muy interesante.

YWM: Musicalmnte, Messy, Isn't It es más lineal que Anger, pero aún tiene sus momentos inusuales aquí y allá. Para mi, esto era uno de mis elementos favoritos en el disco anterior, pero esta vez, estos momentos son más sutiles. Cabe resaltar que los ritmos en la guitarra son mucho más pesados esta vez, e incluso hay uno que otro solo o melodía en algunas de las canciones. Hubo un acercamiento diferente a la hora de escribir el disco? Tu, como el prepa de la banda, tuviste algún tipo de rol en el proceso, o ya todo estaba escrito cuando llegaste?

JS: Mis aportaciones no fueron tantas como en Gorlock o Ghostlimb, pero si fué un proyecto donde todo el grupo colaboró a la hora de hacer los arreglos y tratar que todo trabajara como se supone. El grueso del trabajo ya estaba hecho por Al (el cantante), y Tenage (baterista) desde un principio. Para mi fué un poco diferente, pero fué bueno poder soltar las riendas y tratar algo que, para mi, es una nueva manera de hacer música, sin importar cuan fallido haya sido el intento.

YWM: La raza, las preferencias sexuales, la igualdad de géneros, la política, religión y "la escena" son temas delicados que la mayoría de las bandas no se atreven a tocar por lo "controversiales" que estos pueden ser, y aún así, estos son los temas que se prestan para que el que oyente pueda analizar acerca de lo que se está diciendo en una canción. Nos habremos, y me refiero a la escena independiente y subterránea en general, embrutecido, o estamos muy preocupados por lo que los demás puedan pensar de nosotros cuando se trata de expresar lo que sentimos acerca de estos tópicos?

JS: Pienso que, al igual que en la pregunta anterior, el Punk Rock y los "corillos" con tan conservadores como cualquier otra cosa. Todos tienen un patrón, una forma de verse y una ideología en común. Muchas de las veces, la controversia explota porque algo toca la fibra de la audiencia o termina siendo interpretado de cierta manera, pero tambien muchas bandas solo comienzan las mismas para encojonar a la gente, pero al menos las bandas logran que el público se de cuenta de por que se están molestando. Esto me recuerda a una canción de I-Spy que se llama Title It Yourself, la cual dice algo como "They say we're a walking contradiction of ourselves, our message isn't going through. Fucker, even you got the message. Our shitty band created a discussion." Me gusta pensar eso cada vez que pienso acerca del díalogo o el intercambio de ideas entre presonas a través de la música.

YWM: Siempre he sentido admiración por las bandas que utilizan el tiempo vacío entre canciones durante sus presentaciones para expresarse, especialmente si sienten que hay algún asunto que debe ser discutido o manejado. Por mas interesante que esto sea, hay una línea demasiado fina entre decir lo que piensas y predicar como si tuvieses la razón absoluta, sin contar las veces que una banda se puede encontrar con un pendejo en el público que les diga que se callen y toquen. Cual es tu opinión acerca de esto, y como los eventus actuales que afectan tu país, tu comunidad, e incluso a ti como individuo influyen en esto?

JS: Definitivamente lo que está pasando en la actualidad influye, y estas cosas surgen a menudo entre canciones, quizás con las esperanza de brindarle un enfoque al asunto que las personas no hayan considerado, aunque eso no significa que sepamos todos los ángulos y versiones de dicho problema. Como banda, todos tenemos opiniones diferentes acerca de cuando y cuanto se debe hablar durante el set, pero reciéntemente llegamos a un punto medio de lo más chuchin.

YWM: Ustedes se van de gira por Australia con Graf Orlock ya mismo. Si no me equivoco, esta es la primera vez que Dangers sale del continente Americano. Esto significa que podríamos ver a Dangers irse de gira fuera de los Estados Unidos con más frecuencia?

JS: A lo mejor. Me gustaría volver a Puerto Rico con mis tres bandas. En algún momento, vamos a tratar de llegar a Europa,.y viendo como nos vaya en esta gira, de seguro sabremos si vamos a poder ir en un futuro lleno de fracaso.

YWM: Justin, como tu manejas tu tiempo luego de convertirte en el guitarrista de Dangers? Graf Orlock y Ghostlimb son bandas que tocan a menudo, o al menos eso parece al ver que los ponen a tocar frecuentemente, y ni hablar de que tienes que trabajar con tu sello disquero (Vitriol Records). Como esto te ha afectado a la hora de escribir canciones para tus bandas, tocar, o disfrutar del ocasional día libre que puedas tener?

JS: Lo hago porque me gusta tocar, y no importa cuanta mierda hable, disfruto hacerlo con la gente que lo hago. Lo bueno de esto es que nos da una manera de viajar y ver las cosas desde una perspectiva que no es la del típico turista y poder hacer lo que tenemos que hacer. El sello es una extensión de lo que ya estaba haciendo con mis bandas, y recientemente se ha expandido para poder involucrar a muchos de nuestros amigos localizados alrededor del mundo, lo cual está super cabrón. Algunas veces es un poco fuerte bregar con esto estando en tres bandas que se van de gira o que tocan frecuentemente, pero que otra cosa podría estar haciendo aparte de estar formulando planes suicidas demasiado complicados? (Yo el, me tiro del puente de Trujillo. - xlaxparkax)

YWM: Tu experienca a través de los años te ha ayudado a entender el aspecto "comercial" de estar en una banda como organizar giras, lidiar con los derechos de autor y reproducir discos, entre otras cosas? Piensas que esto podría ayudar a Dangers en el futuro?

JS: Creo que hay un elemento de trabajar con la gente y mantener las cosas claras que uno debe aprender con el tiempo, pero cuando se trata de manejar el sello o cualquiera de las bandas, no hay un lado de "negocios" real en ello. Trato de mantenerme lo más alejado posible de cualquier asunto relacionado a derechos de autor o bicherías legales. O sea, el propósito de todo esto es hacer que todo funcione cooperativamente y podernos beneficiar mutuamente, así que no hay mucho espacio para joder o tirarle un truco a alguien, lo cual es bueno. Déjale eso a cualquier otra compañia, etc.

YWM: En otra entrevista, le contaste a Julia de Suck My Ovaries que estabas interesado en tocar por Latinoamérica. Tienen algún lugar en mente en donde les gustaría ir a tocar?

JS: Yo quiero tocar en todos lados. Nosotros (Gorlock) estamos tratando de visitar América del Sur en la primavera del año que viene, y quizás volver a México. Quiero poder organizarme y regresar a Puerto Rico tambien, ya que eso estuvo cabrón cuando fuimos hace unos años atrás. Así que me apunto pa' cualquier sitio a donde pueda ir antes de que exta pendejá vuele en cantos.

YWM: Algo más que quieras añadir?

JS: Escribe lo que quieres leer. Toca lo que quieres tocar. Gracias.

http://wearedangers.wordpress.com/

Vitriol Records

Thanks to Justin for answering these shitty questions, and for sorta letting me use some of the pics from his band's blog without permission. Tambien, gracias a Julia Stephanie Cabrera por las sugerencias y por hacer todo lo que hace en suckmyovaries para que los que no estamos "al otro lado del charco" podamos ver videos y entrevistas con bandas que normalmente no podríamos ver (tambien te robé la foto del flyer del tour, perdona, sa'eh...). Vayan y chequeen su blog, el cual es mil veces mejor que el mio.

My thoughts on Summer.

2010-05-31T17:58:00.000-04:00

It fucking sucks.

-The End.

Endzweck - Ulysses EP Review

2010-05-28T08:18:00.001-04:00

It is very hard to review albums that I don't like as much as i should from bands I really like. Not because I don't want to sound like a dick, because I am a dick, but because there's a part of me (the fanboy) that tries to ignore the flaws and see the whole picture,. and there's the cynical, snobbish side (the dick) who goes over and over an album to check every minute detail, which sometimes makes things seem worse than what they really are.

Endzweck's Ulysses is a good album, but it feels a bit lifeless when compared to their past albums. It has some mid-90's grooves here and there, cool guitar harmonies, and the lyrics are as powerful as they were on their last album, but it does not make me want to go crazy and choke slam someone. I think it feels slower because the overall tempo is a bit more "laid back", and not as urgent as in songs like Sounds Of Military Boots or Flower Bouquet. The guitar harmonies are as good as ever, with their mix of "mid-school" (for lack of a better term) Hardcore, and beautiful, catchy octaves and tonic/third guitar harmonies that can be considered "overplayed" by some music snobs, but they fill up the aural space in a neat way. I really like how the dynamics work on some songs, like Blue Smoke and Mirrors, and album closer Forty Two , but I feel some parts could have been more intense.

Endzweck is not a band that you should listen in the comfort of your bedroom, you should see them live, with 20 kids trying to stomp on your head while you're breaking some dude's teeth out of his mouth. Some of these songs could sound awesome live, but there are songs like Words that are a bit of a letdown when it comes to keeping the momentum of the whole album, which is why I think this one feels a little stale compared to any of their past releases. Ulysses is not a perfect album by any means, and some of the "flaws" it might have are pretty subjective, depending on your musical taste. However, I wouldn't recommend this album to the uninitiated, as I would direct them to the Strangelove's "best-of" album, or maybe The Grapes Of Wrath. Still, you should check this out of you're into stuff like Stay Gold, Bane, or maybe older Shai Hulud.

Immolation - Majesty and Decay CD Review

2010-05-28T07:51:00.001-04:00

Immolation's Majesty and Decay was the first Death Metal release I got my hands on this year, and while it is a good album, it feels like it should have been more streamlined. Sure, it has the trademark Immolation sound (brooding guitars, technical drumming, scornful lyrics), but it fails to keep the intensity after the second song. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't check this album out, especially if you're a fan of the band. I would've enjoyed it a bit more if I wasn't expecting Unholy Cult pt. 2, but between the slower paced songs, and the unnecessary intro and interlude, Immolation loses a lot of momentum, putting some strains on what could've been one of the best Death Metal releases of the year.

The New York quartet still knows how to write heavy, brooding songs that lean towards the more technical side of Death Metal, but sometimes they tend to overdo some riffs, which makes some of the songs feel longer than what they really are. Also, repetition and verse/chorus structure takes away a lot of the intensity and chaos that you would expect from a band like this. Sure, they stick to the standard 4/4 in most of their songs, and that's fine, until things get pretty predictable. You can almost feel a blast beat coming from a mile away, followed by a double bass roll, and some weird guitar harmonies, followed by the abrupt endings that often plague some of their songs. I think my main problem with this album is that probably I've listened their older albums way too much and I already know when they're pulling a new riff, a drum fill, or a breakdown.

This release feels like Harnessing Ruin and Closer To a World Below, both solid albums, but they fail to showcase the band's true potential. Of course, there are a lot of good riffs and moments, but an album is supposed to have songs, not "parts that sound cool". Maybe I'm too jaded, but it's just that the songs are not as good as they could've been. Sure, I still love their anti-Christian, misanthropist approach to the lyrics, and their weird guitar leads, but I feel like there was a lot more that they could have achieved with this album. At least it's good to know they're still around, and with better resources, which means it won't take long until Immolation releases another solid album, improving on their already true-and-tested sound.

Cynic - Retraced EP Review

2010-05-28T07:30:00.001-04:00

Amidst a sea of mediocre releases from bands no one will care about in a year or so, a true gem stays afloat. Once again, Cynic demonstrates that, even when they're being "soft", they can still write better songs than your favorite band.

Retraced features remixed versions of some of the songs from 2008's Traced In Air, as well as a new, unreleased song. The songs are more tame than their previous versions, but they still have the beauty and complexity that you would expect if you're a fan of the band. They have a somewhat "industrial" sound, although it's not too harsh. They're somewhat closer to Nine Inch Nails' less harsh songs, but Nine Inch nails is terrible, and Cynic rules the Universe, so let's forget that I even mentioned them in the same sentence. For those who hate Paul Masvidal's "robot voice", he's not overdoing it on the EP, so you can finally pay attention and fully appreciate his soothing voice. The feel of songs like Evolutionary Sleeper and Integral Birth has been somewhat enhanced by the "industrial-acoustic" approach, which can be appreciated even more when listening through a good pair of headphones. It's like discovering the gentler side of The Hulk: it's still a beast, but now you know he's capable of doing more than destroying everything on his path.

The unreleased song, Wheels Within Wheels, easily fits among Cynic's best songs to date. It is a little less Death Metal and more Progressive/Fusion, but it still has a heavy feel to it, which is very important for a band that changed the way Death Metal was made back when you were still calling your mom to help you wipe your ass. It also features one of the most beautiful melodies I've listened this year.

If you're into Cynic, you already got your hands on this EP. If you don't know who are they, you should start paying attention and learn a thing or two.

Comadre/Glasses split

2010-04-05T07:16:00.000-04:00

There's a new Comadre song (The Sweeter The Juice) on their My Space profile from their upcoming split with Glasses (featuring Marc from Trainwreck). The split will drop on your pancake ass in June via Bloodtown and Vitriol Records. Get stoked. If you haven't heard Glasses yet, don't be an ass and check them out. Good if you're into stomping heads and yelling at strangers.

Glasses
Comadre
Vitriol Records
Bloodtown Records

Commissure-Stars Could Care Less CD Review

2010-03-22T20:34:00.000-04:00

If you like bands like Mogwai, godisanastronaut, or Explosions In The Sky, or if you're like me and you just like to listen to some chill, mellow music every now and then, I think you might enjoy this neat bundle of beautiful songs written by a group of Bay Area youngsters who seem to have a firm grasp on how to craft simple, yet enthralling melodies.

Commissure's Stars Could Care Less is a self-released album by this up-and coming band from San Francisco. They do draw heavily from bands like Mogwai, but they have a more "loose" feel, which makes them even more enjoyable. These songs have a jamming session feel to them, flowing seamlessly between rhythm transitions and guitar lines. Some might cringe at the "demo" quality of the album, but to me, that helps to set the vibe of the album. And even when it is not an ultra polished recording, you can hear every note and bass line clearly, and that's all you need. It is almost soothing to listen to songs like 1249 or Midnight 40's With Patti Mayonnaise, and I could see some of my reefer-loving readers getting into this after smoking a fatty. These are beautifully crafted instrumental songs you should listen with a good pair of headphones while relaxing in your bed, feeling the hypnotic vibe of these songs. There are some cathartic moments, but nothing too heavy or drastic that could take away from the overall aural experience, so those of you who are scared of growlers and down tuned breakdowns don't have to worry about that (you fucking hippies).

I do not listen to this kind of music very often, but when i do, i can appreciate how good some of these bands are. Commissure may not win any new fans among the "ultra-gore-brutality" crowd , but those of you who are familiar with the bands I mentioned in the first paragraph should give this album a spin. I read they have a split coming up, and I can only guess it's going to be as good as this album. If you're into mellow, instrumental music, you owe it to yourself to check these guys out. You can get this album for less than ten dollars here, or oif you want to preview the album, you can listen to the album on their Last FM profile.

Deftones-Diamond Eyes CD Review

2010-03-21T20:06:00.001-04:00

After the drug-induced aural orgy that was Saturday Night Wrist, Deftones kinda go back to their Nu-Metal roots with Diamond Eyes. Of course, Nu-Metal is one of the worst genres ever created (after Metal-Funk, Rap-Core, and Post-Metal), but nowadays, even bands who claim to be Death Metal have some sort of Nu-Metal groove on them. Deftones is the only band of that genre I could ever listen and enjoy, partly because they have this Faith No More vibe to them, and after two overtly Nu-albums, they decided to experiment with some "trippy" elements, which made White Pony one of my favorite albums of all time (yeah, sue me).

The albums is heavy, pretty groove-oriented, but has some melodic hooks here and there, but it still feels like newer Deftones than Adrenaline-era Deftones. Songs like Rocket Skates, Royal and the title track represent the heavier, more down tuned side of this album, although these songs have some beautiful vocal melodies that rounds off these cpommercially-structured songs. On the other hand, tracks like Sextape and Prince deliver the more sublime sounds they've been delivering on some of their most recent albums. This is where I think the band has more to offer, since they're a mainstream band that can write really solid, well rounded songs. If you're acquainted with the band's sound, you already know what to expect. Simple, but effective riffing that almost borders on Drone/Shoegaze-influenced territory, a strong rhythmic section that can carry a groove in ways most band could only dream of, and those bipolar vocals that made Chino Moreno one of the best rock vocalists of our era.

I had to listen to this album a few times before I could get into it, but with every listen, I keep finding layers and layers of stuff that I was not able to appreciate unless I was paying attention. If you liked Saturday Night Wrist, there is no reason to ignore this album. It is a very solid album, with some songs that will get stuck in your head for days. I don't think they're going to get any new fans with this album, but for those who already know and love the band, Diamond Eyes will rough you up, leave you all battered in the floor, then it will cuddle up with you, and you will enjoy it. Give it a chance if you're into their newer material, or if you like how the guys from Poison The Well seem to be following their steps these days.

Daughters-Daughters CD Review

2010-03-21T19:19:00.000-04:00

I have a love-hate relationship with Daughters. You see, I was a big As The Sun Sets fan. In fact, I was one of the four guys on this island who ever listened to that band (two of them have been in bands with me, and the other one was in another band with one of my band mates). But I never got into the Daughters 'sound, or at least I never paid attention to their EPs. After a few releases, they finally deliver a "full length" album that made me feel like a douchebag for never listening to their post-ATSS material.

If you're familiar with bands like Melt-Banana, or even Botch/Narrows, you might like this album. It is a lot more annoying, noisy, and heavy than what I expected. Of course, you might read "annoying", and you might scoff at them for not making hooky pop songs that you can hum on your way to college, but it's their obnoxiousness that makes them so good at what they do. The overwhelming wall of noise and filter modulation effects, along with the screams, moans, and hollering will drive you nuts, and the raw, unapologetic sound will blow the shit out of your eardrums if played at the proper volume. I shouldn't be comparing this band to As The Sun sets, but the comparisons are inevitable, especially with you're familiar with said band. But the good thing about daughters is that their songs are a bit more structured and less chaotic, while still keeping all the craziness and balls-out spazzy feel of this often under-appreciated genre.

I think taking a break from listening or writing music helped me appreciate this album a lot more. I can't say this is a must-have album, because most of you could care less about this type of music, especially when most of you are riding lady gaga's cock, but if you're aching for some noisy, experimental, or even "avant-garde" music, check these motherfuckers out. They don't make bands like these anymore, and it's all your fault.

Dangers-Messy, Isn't It? CD Review

2010-03-21T18:58:00.000-04:00

Maybe it's just me, but Hardcore in general does not seem to have the same "magic" it had the first time I was exposed to the genre. Who knows? I might have reached that much feared point where nothing amuses you, and I'm just done with "underground" music. Or maybe the bands that still have something to say are not getting the exposure they deserve. Who cares, really? All that matters is that I've been listening to the new Dangers album for quite some time now, and I must say it is one of the best releases of the year so far.

This was released back in February, when all of you were giving head to each other on Valentine's Day. However, there is no love, or any pink colored stuff here. Just piss-soaked hatred that makes you whip your cock out in anger and put it in a blender. There's lots of rage, among with a more straightforward approach (if you compare it to Anger). Still, these Californians throw a curve ball here and there, keeping their songs interesting. There's more "dual-vocal" parts, which adds to the overall intensity of the music, and the riffs are a lot more heavier and moody this time around. The drumming is superb and tight, and even though the album seems a bit long (nineteen songs), it flows very naturally, thanks to the irate, fast paced feel of the songs.

Dangers are a controversial band, both music and lyrics-wise, and you might not agree with some of their views, especially if you "keep it real" (whatever that means). However, if you think there is nothing going on with American Hardcore, you should stop listening to the same Victory albums you've been listening since you were in grade school and start paying attention. Dangers is relentless, vicious, and uncompromising, and that's how I like my Hardcore.. You are not ready for this.

You can get this album by checking out the Vitriol Records Webstore. There is a nice package including the vinyl and CD, so stop reading and get your mom to buy you this album.

Coke Bust

2010-02-11T19:44:00.000-05:00

Get into it.

Coke Bust's Website

My Space

Kid Sister Records/Distro/Art & Design

2010-02-08T20:40:00.001-05:00

This is a plug for my man Harrison and his label, Kid Sister Records. Thanks to him (and Soulseek), I discovered some Midwestern bands about five or six years ago that I still enjoy listening to. The Kid Sister catalog has great underground bands such as Antilles, Staph, Mans, and Grown Ups, bands that should appeal to anyone who enjoys good emo/screamo/post-hardcore/indie/whatever. If you like good, independent music, and you have a broad musical taste, you owe it to yourself to check this out..

Also, he does art/merch for bands, so if you're looking for some artwork for your shirts, demos, or whatever, you can also check the link on the Kid Sister's hub and browse his portfolio.

And the best way to know if there is something for you on Kid Sister is by lsitening, so Mr. Hickock has provided me a link to his label's catalog, and with his permission, now you can listen to some new music instead of listening to the same New Found Glory album you've been listening since 9th grade. As always, if you like anything from Kid Sister, please support the label by buying something, or at least telling your friends about the bands in it. And say thanks to Harrison while you're at it, fool!

Kid Sister Record's My Space
Kid Sister Everything "Hub"
Preview

So Fresh. So Stylish. So Pimp.

2010-02-02T18:43:00.000-05:00

You ain't ready for this shit.

siqdrugfront(dot)com/comadre
Comadre's My Space Profile {oMFg, tHAt'S SooOooO 2005)
Dead To Me's My Space Profile

The_Network - Bishop Kent Manning CD Review

2010-01-22T06:50:00.000-05:00

2009 saw a mild revival of the noisier side of Metal/Hardcore. Releases by Gaza, Narrows, and Burnt By The Sun made me revisit bands like Deadguy and Puritan. The_Network's Bishop Kent Manning can easily mingle with those bands'recent albums, since it is one of the heaviest, most angry albums of this year.

Considerably slower than the songs from their split with Throats, and a bit more straightforward, these flannel wearing bears have written an album that will make you grind your teeth with their seizure-inducing songs. It took me a while to fully appreciate the more groove-laden feel of the album, which felt heavier with every listen. It sounds focused and violent, which seems more evident as each song ends. It is also a lot more atmospheric and moody this time. I like the fact that they're almost developing a concept on this album that i would rather not spoil for you, but it is interesting every time a band can make it work without sounding too pretentious.

To be honest, they have not deviated from their sound, but is that really bad when they know how to "play the fight riff"? Those chunky, noisy chords are the reason why I am more inclined to listen to these types of bands. You can "feel" the anger and all the murderous intent of these songs without having to rely too heavily on overplayed clichés. The rhythm section holds everything rather tight, with a deep, punchy bass sound that makes you want to crank this shit up anywhere. The drumming is superb, and it doesn't sound like the drummer's hungry for attention, which is the case with most modern generic Metal bands. Vocalist Bones is one of the most intense screamers of our generation, and you can understand every scream, which is very important when you have such interesting lyrics.

Overall, this is a better album than Heart of Darkness or Ox in every sense. I know I will get a lot of shit for posting this, but I could care less. I love this fucking album.

You can catch them on tourget their new album here.

Lion Of The North/Staph/Grown Ups

2009-12-29T09:51:00.001-05:00

The Midwest harbors some of my favorite bands such as Gorgasm, Alkaline Trio, Hewhocorrupts, Integrity, and 88 Fingers Louie. This might give you an idea of the wide variety of styles you could find in this area. In recent years, the Midwest started spurting bands who were adding their unique touch to one of the most misunderstood and overlooked (by those who do not have a clue) styles of music: Screamo.

Lion Of The North is a band that took me by surprise a few years ago. During my Soulseek days, I always thanked whoever was nice enough to let me download their stuff with my shitty dial up Internet connection. This is how I met harrison from Lion Of The North, who immediatedly hooked me up with some great acts from that area such as (Lone) Wolf and Cub and Lautrec. He also hooked me up with the first Lion Of The North EP The Compass Calls, as well as a few live tracks from the band. I got hooked up on that EP as soon as I heard the jangly, noodly guitars, the intense drumming, and the desperate vocals. It was refreshing and invigorating, I could even say inspiring, to listen to these guys tear a new asshole into a genre that almost seemed stale at the moment. I must admit I was not a huge Emo-Screamo fan. I did like some of the early stuff like Heroin, Rites of Spring, and some late 90-early 00s stuff like The Jazz June and Reversal of man (although some might consider that band Power-Violence), but I did not follow that style as much as some of my favorite genres at that moment. But Lion Of The North, along with Makanda and Comadre, made me rediscover this genre, and even appreciate it in ways that I never imagined.

It is a bit hard to describe Lion Of The North to those of you who are not familiar with this type of music, and I think it is unfair to compare a relatively obscure, Midwestern band to more "famous" acts. Just imagine the perfect blend of catchy, melodic guitar lines with technical, spastic drumming, screamed but intelligible vocals, mixed in the most smooth, seamless way. These "kids" could outplay most of the bands who were popular at the moment, and definitely they could write better structured songs than most of them. They weren't as young as Decapitated when I first listened to them, but they were rather young, which made the music even more impressive.

Sadly, the band broke up a while ago, but they left the aforementioned EP plus a split with Mans (another band you should check out). It is a rather slim catalog, but those six songs are crafted in a sincere, heartfelt way that no twenty album discography could ever portray. But this was not the end of these fine young men, and while they parted ways, they continued to write great songs in two new groups who are taking the best elements of their previous band and turning it into two different animals.

Staph has the more technical, raw elements from Lion Of The North. It is a more aggressive, primal approach to this "Midwestern sound"(whatever that means), but it is not too harsh that is an undecipherable wall of noise. On the other hand, Grown Ups crafts some of the most catchiest, almost happy sounding songs I have heard recently. Both bands complement each other, and yet they are good enough to stand on their own. Staph has an EP (Keys) and a split with Antilles, while Grown Ups has a demo CD. Both bands should cater to those of you who are into bands like Algernon Cadwallader, Lifetime, Cap'n Jazz, American Football, Reversal of Man, La Quiete, older Raein, or even stuff like Tera Melos or Upsilon Acrux. Both bands have recently uploaded songs on their My Space profiles, so if you are looking for some fresh sounds, go and check these guys out before it is too late.

Lion Of The North

Staph

Grown Ups

Contact them, say hi, and try to get their stuff, which is pretty cheap and cleverly packaged.

Back

2009-12-22T02:49:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the lack of post, I was dealing with all my finals, plus on top of that, I got pretty sick for a week, but I'm back and willing to post some shitty reviews up in this motherfucker.

First of all, thanks to those of you who regularly read this blog. I know I'm not the best blogger out there, but at least I'm sexy, and that's why you're here. Now, I have some stuff that needs to be reviewed a.s.a.p., so be sure to check out the blog often, because there's going to be reviews and insults everywhere.

In the meanwhile, shake those tetas.

Stocking stuffers from Lemuria and Bloodtown Records

2009-12-08T02:56:00.000-05:00

This post is just to notify you that Lemuria has a nice holiday bundle on their site. They're including a hooded sweatshirt with a new design, a t-shirt (of your choice), a CD(of your choice), 2" button, huge sticker, and a poster in a neat and very affordable bundle.

Also, Comadre's Bloodtown Records has some of their stuff on sale right now. You can get seven inches, shirts, and some other stuff for dirt cheap.

Support your independent/D.I.Y. bands, whether they're local or not. We're on the same boat, and we need all the help we can get. Besides, you might get a nice extra knowing that these guys are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

http://www.lemuriapop.com/merch.html

http://www.bloodtown.bigcartel.com/

The Boat That Rocked (Pirate Radio)

2009-11-13T09:23:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Kenny for telling me about this movie.

Rarely anything that does not involve being with the ones I love makes me smile, let alone a movie. However, this movie had me smiling like a moron for two hours. It is one of the best feel-good movies that I have ever seen. Sure, it is not one of the best films ever, but certainly one of 2009's best. Great performances, a compelling story (based on true events), and a kick ass soundtrack, what is not to like? If you liked Almost Famous, you should definitely give this movie a chance. I am pretty sure Caribbean Cinemas won't be screening this movie in Puerto Rico anytime soon, but you can always find a way to watch it online.

It may noy be the deepest story, the characters may be a bit flat, and you would probably give two shits about the soundtrack if you are not into classic rock and roll, but it is a charming, fun movie that goes beyond any of your bullshit or musical nit-picking. I am not attempting to review this movie, as I suck when it comes to analyzing characters, plot, or anything related to film. Just watch it, you won't regret it.

Nile - Those Whom The Gods Detest CD Review

2009-11-12T00:15:00.003-05:00

Let me be honest with you guys for a second. I never got into Nile's Eastern influenced Death Metal. I mean, I know that they are heave and technical as fuck, but I never paid much attention to their albums. Fast forward into 2009 and here we are with another Nile album full of Egyptian references and ridiculous technical prowess. Nile is one of the big names from the Relapse roster who released a highly anticipated album this year, but I could care less about hype or stupid comparisons between Nile and Morbid Angel. All I know is that this is a pretty decent Death Metal album full of unusual elements and melodies in it.

When it comes to Death Metal, I like it heavy, brutal, and dark. Nile may not have an emphasis on groove or breakdowns, but they are definitely dark and heavy. Their songs are comprised of eastern sounding scales, lots of chord progressions, and blasting, lots of blasting. Some songs have the potential to become Death Metal anthems like 4th Arra of Dagon and Kafir! with their chants and brutal riffing. If you are a fan of Nile, you may already know that this is a great album, but to someone like me, who never paid attention to their older albums, the clarity of every instrument on this album gives me the chance to immerse myself in their sound. The clarity of the drums and guitars is amazing. One of the biggest turn offs for me was how "shitty" albums like Black Seeds Of Vengeance sounded, and I hope they continue to keep recording their albums with these quality standards. The other thing that surprised me was the integration of different eastern elements to their songs, like some guy chanting in the opening track, or the use of microtones in Utterances of the Crawling Dead, adds variety to this type of Metal. All these elements make the album more sinister and evil, along with the wide variety of screams on Hittite Dung Incantation makes me miss albums like Atrocity's Hallucinations, Kataklysm's Sorcery and Gorguts' The Erosion Of Sanity. Although this is not an old school Death Metal album, the spirit of the early days is there, making anyone who is not familiar with this kind of music uncomfortable while listening to it. This is how Death Metal is supposed to sound like.

Technical Death Metal fans will be drawn to this album like stalkers to Facebook. As someone who now feels bad for ignoring this band when I first saw an ad for Black Seeds of Vengeance, I must say that this album fills the void left by many old school Death Metal bands who have released mediocre comeback albums. Those Whom The Gods Detest is punishing, brooding, evil, and that is something that has been missing from one of my beloved genres for a long time. Nile knows that Death Metal belongs in the most dark corners of the musical spectrum, devouring anyone who tries to belittle this genre for being "a bunch of growls and unintelligible noise mashed together".

Trainwreck - Of Concrete Canyons and Inner Wastelans LP Review

2009-11-11T23:19:00.005-05:00

I have taken my sweet time to review this album, not because I did not like it, but because I've been very busy lately. I should start off by saying that this is the best Trainwreck album to date. It is an overwhelming wall of sound, epic in every sense of the word. I have listened to these six songs ever since it came out a few months ago, and it still sounds amazing. I have a short attention span when it comes to long songs, but these guys have managed to keep their songs interesting enough for a spazz like me.

Of Concrete Canyons and Inner Wastelands is one of the most cathartic albums I have heard this year. It is relentless, heavy, fast,. but now, the guys have incorporated more adventurous riffs and leads here and there to accentuate the overall heaviness and chaos these guys are known for. Songs like The Dead next Door, Less Than Nothing, and Mistakes and Misdirections will leave your jaw on the floor. These are intense, manic songs filled with anger and desperation. They are dynamic, but they do not waste five minutes in a pretentious crescendo like most "Post-Metal" bands, or Neurosis rip-offs as I like to call them. And while these songs maintain the organic sound of their previous efforts, you can hear more guitar interplay in these songs, and the drumming is so pulse pounding, you can feel those toms and bass drum kicks beating your chest in if you crank this album up. And I think this album should be played at deafening levels in order to enjoy it to the fullest. Its dirty mix, along with the heavy riffing, makes it one of the heaviest aural experiences of the year.

I could keep going on about how great this album is, but you need to experience this album for yourself. If you think that Isis or any of the bands who have "ocean related" names are the ones who are redefining heavy music nowadays, you are a retard. Trainwreck will prove you wrong and teach you how it's done. They are one of the best bands to ever come out of Germany, and should appeal to fans of Ekkaia, Ghostlimb, or even stuff like Triac or Uphill Battle.

Hit them up on My Space by clicking here.

You Will Move mentioned on Comadre's My Space blog.

2009-11-11T22:58:00.004-05:00

Thanks to Kenny Gabe for mentioning my shitty blog on his band's blog. Also, check the rest of the blogs mentioned. There is a lot of awesome stuff there.

Click here to see the blog entry.

Vitriol Records

2009-11-11T22:52:00.005-05:00

The portal to everything Graf Orlock/GhostLimb/Dangers and then more. You can buy almost everything related to those bands, get the latest info on shows, new releases, and all that shit over there, and more. Also, there are a few movie reviews and articles that are more interesting that any of the shit featured on this blog.

Get your fix here.

Burnt By The Sun - Heart Of Darkness CD Review

2009-11-11T05:50:00.003-05:00

As a fanboy, I really had a hard time dealing with this album. A part of me, the naive, noisy Metal loving me, wants to worship this album and call it the best album ever made. As soon as the hype cooled off, my most jaded side said "meh, it could have been a lot better." Maybe I am being biased and I just wanted this album to improve on what they did on Soundtrack To The Personal Revolution, but sometimes I do like to think that they should have done that.

Let's get something straight: Heart Of Darkness is not a bad album by any means. It is an admirable effort from Burnt By The Sun after six years (if you don't count the BBTS/Car Bomb split), but it lacks the charm of their past releases. The album starts with Inner Station, which is one of the best songs from the album. While it's slower than songs like Dracula With Glasses, its pretty heavy and full of grooves. While I do miss some of the intensity and dissonance of their earlier efforts. Dave Witte's performance, which has been one of the highlights of BBTS, is certainly tamed this time. he's not blasting a lot these days , but he compensates with some syncopated fillsm non-stop double bass drumming, and interesting fills here and there. John Adubato Still has his trademark chunky sound, which is nice, but some of those riffs seem half-assed, like the intro to F-Unit, which sounds like a recycled riff from the Luddite Clone split. Mike Olender still sounds like a maniac, and his lyrics continue with the same socio-political themes he is known for. Ted Patterson still delivers his spider-like bass lines, although I do miss his more "out there"approach to bass playing from the Human Remains days. Newcommer Nick Hale did not write any songs on this album, but he complements Adubato, making everything sound a lot fuller.

As an unit, they sound as tight and heavy as a van full of Jenny Craig customers, but the album leave sme unsatisfied. Maybe I was expecting a wilder, noisier album, especially after listening to that preview on the BBTS/Car Bomb split. Songs like There Will Be Blood, The opening track, and Goliath deliver the goods, but sometimes the album tends to drag a bit, making it less interesting for the listener. This album did not suffer from the kind of hype surrounding the new Coalesce album, but to those fans who were expecting the definite Burnt By The Sun album, considering this is their last album, will be left unsatisfied. Still, it is a pretty heavy album that deserves a listen if you are into newer bands like the_Network, Phoenix Bodies, or Gaza.

So, I went to see Hirax last night..

2009-11-08T04:36:00.002-05:00

Sweet baby Jesus.

Punch - Self Titled CD Review

2009-10-31T20:59:00.004-04:00

More of the same does not necessarily mean a bad thing, especially when you are talking about Punch. Punch may not be reinventing Hardcore/Punk, but they don't need to. They are doing a pretty good job at making frenetic, straight-to-the-point Hardcore, and that is enough for me.

I could start making comparisons between Punch and Loma Prieta (since they share band members), and even though I may be tempted to do so, I think each band has its own merits to stand on its own without having to put them (and their fans) against each other. For the uninitiated, you can check out the Eyeless review that I wrote about a year ago here to get a little bit of background info about the band and their sound. In their self-titled full length, the band has polished their songwriting and made it tighter this time around. They do have some Crust/Power Violence-influences, but that does not mean these songs are a clusterfuck of riffs and off-time beats. There is a perfect balance of aggression and memorable Hardcore/Punk hooks in songs like Make The Good Times That Much Better, Get Back, and If Not Me. These songs are a perfect example of what these guys can do in less than two minutes.

Do not let that all this "catchy" and "memorable" talk turn you off. By no means they are a Bane/Comeback Kid clone. These guys are more akin to legendary underground acts like Dropdead, Los Crudos, and to some extent, stuff like Benümb or Extreme Noise Terror. I know that I just mentioned a shitload of "heavier", "crustier" (even though some of those bands are not crust) bands, but when you get to feel Punch's chaotic, fast paced songs, the comparisons are inevitable. And still, these guys have their own sound within this genre, which is often plagued by blatant rip-offs and bland, uninspired songwriting. There is that "something" that lets you know these guys are crafting these songs straight from their hearts, and that is something hat I have been missing about Hardcore a long time ago. Maybe it is the angst-ridden screams, the sincere lyrics, the punishing beats, or the crazy ass guitars, but you can really feel what these guys are doing, and that is something that tends to get overlooked sometimes. And while it may not make much of a difference to most of you, to me it is what makes me love or hate a band.

To some of the most jaded, purist, old schoolers, this may be another "My Space" band that tries to rip-off the DC sound (whatever that means). Surprisingly, they are the same people who think taking a bath compromises your status as a punk rocker. But this album goes beyond all that "holier-than-thou" bullshit associated with underground Hardcore and Punk and delivers sixteen songs that will rip the skin out of your ass when you're not looking. If you are tired of the same "hardcore pride unity and respect" bullshit of the self-righteousness of some punk bands, you should give these guys a chance instead of giving up on Hardcore/Punk.

Hit them up on their My Space profile by clicking here and buy their album or a shirt while you're at it.

Loma Prieta - Dark Mountain CD Review

2009-10-31T19:55:00.003-04:00

Loma Prieta has a special place in my heart. These guys continue to write intense, moving songs, and they only seem top get better with every release. Dark Mountain continues with the earth-shaking sound of Last City, and cranks up the sense of anxiety and desperation to a whole new level.

As far as real Screamo/Power Violence/Post Hardcore/whatever you want to call it goes, Loma Prieta has to be epitome of the American branch of this genre. Their mastery of loud/soft dynamics, jagged drumming, chaotic guitars and manic screams is what separates them from some of their peers. Songs like King Xing and Ghost Shadow are nothing short of amazing. There's everything, from beautiful, clean passages, to dissonant riffing, and even a blastbeat to put your ass in traction. Every song on this album is gracefully performed, without sounding pretentious or over-produced. Loma Prieta sounds as organic and raw as they did on Our LP Is Your EP, but with lengthier, better structured songs. That does not mean that they have lost their intensity, since this album sounds as loud and angry as the rest of their catalog, but there is a certain degree of "progress" in their sound.

This should appeal to fans of earlier Raein, Funeral Diner, or even At The Drive In. Loma Prieta is one of those bands that you just cannot describe with a few paragraphs. You have to bask into their sound (headphones are highly recommended) and listen to dark Mountain from start to finish. It is a captivating, powerful album that demands your attention. If you feel like indie/underground music has lost most of its edge lately, you have been listening to the wrong bands. Loma Prieta will tear you a new asshole and make you fall in love with the underground again.

Hit them up on their My Space.

Look at your song list/album collection, then look at this little girl.

2009-10-14T04:36:00.004-04:00

Shame on you.

Atonement for your sins.

This Is A Standoff: Be Dissapointed CD Review

2009-10-12T04:18:00.003-04:00

I have a lot of mixed feeling when it comes to This Is A Standoff. First of all, Belvedere was a band that balanced technical prowess with memorable, melodic hooks, putting bands like A Wilhelm Scream to shame. Sadly, This Is A Standoff fails to reinvent themselves after their departure in 2005 (as Belvedere). They tried really hard to keep alive their old Belvedere sound on this album, but This Is A Standoff is not Belvedere, and they should stop trying to relive old memories with their new project.

These guys were really proficient in creating complex, yet catchy "Epitaph" Punk (the kind of Punk that everyone hates in Puerto Rico), although they were guilty of trying too hard sometimes. Still, they were a pretty solid band that had some great songs. However, This Is a Standoff has failed to meet expectations when it comes to keep their reputation up by playing songs that sound like Belvedere outtakes. Their first album (Be Excited) was a bit of a letdown, especially when you compared it to Straighten Things Out's debut album (another band that features ex-Belvedere members). Be Disappointed has some good moments, like Everything We Take and Face The Sun, but there is a certain attempt to make commercial-sounding songs that completely ruin what could have been a good sophomore album. I know that I sound like I am bashing them, but I was a Belvedere fan, and they influenced me a lot as a guitar player (even though I suck and those guys can play almost anything), and it is upsetting to see them writing mediocre songs and rehashing ideas from Fast Forward Eats The Tape (one of the best Belvedere albums). Also, do they had to "rap" in one of their songs? Trails Of White was completely ruined by that sad attempt at rhyming. The song is still musically solid, but Steve Rawles fucked it up on that song. The only outstanding feature of this albums is Graham Churchill's drumming. His dynamic, yet powerful drumming style is the only thing that keeps this album interesting enough for me to review.

I am disappointed with this album, and they expected the listener to be, as the album title suggests. I know they can write better songs than the ones they have been recording lately, and maybe they can come up with something a lot better than rehashed Belvedere riffs. Still, the album has some good songs, but there is nothing special or remarkable about this album, especially if you are familiar with Belvedere. Maybe next time they will come up with an album that will make me shut the fuck up about their "glory days", but until then, I am not satisfied with these recycled songs.

Speaking of Crowbar...

2009-10-10T07:34:00.005-04:00

Here's that song that I mentioned on the Disfear/Doomriders review. Get shit-faced, eat cute animals, and worship Satan.

Disfear & Doomriders Split Seven Inch Review

2009-10-10T07:05:00.002-04:00

I'm not a Disfear fan, and I didn't knew shit about Doomriders until I bought this split for $1.50 (yeah, one dollar, fifty cents without tax), but this seven inch features one song from each band showcasing some really good songs. This was released in 2008, but I bought it a few months ago, so shut the fuck up and read.

Disfear is Tomas Lindberg and Uffe Cederlund's attempt to play a mix of Motörhead and Discharge. I've only heard a few songs on some Relapse Records compilations, but I never got into them. This song, called fear and Trembling, seems a bit different from those older songs. It features that same Motörhead/Discharge feel, but enhances it with some guitar harmonies, rocking riffs, and a more circle pit friendly sound. Tomas Lindberg still sounds like that young man that recorded Slaughter Of The Soul, although a bit more rough around the edges. maybe I should pay more attention to these guys, especially if the rest of their songs are this good.

The ral surprise of this split was Doomrider's Crooked path. This Massachusetts band not only features Nate Newton on guitar and vocals, but it has a dirty Stoner Rock vibe mixed with some hardcore and Metal elements that makes me want to stomp my feet like a madman. His voice seems like a mix of Matt Pike and Glenn Danzig, which fits this style of music very well. This music is supposed to be sung by people with throat Cancer and alcoholics, so Nate Newton does a very good job of impersonating a drunk Cancer patient in this song. The drumming on this song is outstanding, and the guitars remind me of a faster version of Crowbar's The Lasting Dose. I recently got their new album, so as soon as I listen to it a few times, I'll post what I have to say about that album on this shitty blog.

I'm still surprised by how good these two songs are. I should check both band's back catalog to see what I've been missing all these years. And considering that this seven inch costs less than a large bag of Ruffles, you should give it a try if you're into gritty, thick distorted, riff oriented heavy rock.

Comadre Mixtape Vol. 3 Out now

2009-10-10T06:54:00.003-04:00

http://siqdrugfront.com/comadre/

The third mixtape from these fine chaps from Redwood City was released last Sunday (October 3, 2009). It features new and some unreleased songs from bands like Endzweck, Dangers, Hour Of The Wolf, Finest Dearest, Acts Of Sedition, ...Who Calls So Loud, and many more, hand picked by the band members. Includes liner notes with comments on every track. It's completely free, so here's your chance to discover some great bands.

Keep it posi, keep it D.I.Y.

Immortal: All Shall Fall CD Review

2009-10-09T20:11:00.004-04:00

The best Black Metal band returns with what could be seen as At The Heart Of Winter part 2. All Shall fall is the return to the fictional world of Blashyrkh, where Abbath and company play in the snow and run like joyful kids in the grim and frostbitten woods. Most of you may know them for their silly photos and ridiculous videos, but behind all that tomfoolery lies one of the most original, inventive bands in the genre. They are one of the few bands from the "Inner Circle" days of Norwegian Black Metal that are still relevant to this day.

All Shall Fall features many of the same elements that made At The Heart Of Winter one of their most inspired Black Metal albums of the late nineties. These songs are powerful, intense, superbly crafted Metal anthems. The slower pace can upset those who are still expecting them to return to the Battles In The North sound, but how can you complain when you have songs like the opening title track, Hordes Of War, and Arctic Swarm kicking your ass from every possible angle? All Shall Fall features an intro that brings fond memories of Withstand The Fall Of Time, along with what I think is the first time that Abbath Doom Occulta (guitars/vocals) sings. Although he is no Freddie Mercury, his snarls during the last minutes of the song add a bit of variety to his croaked screams. The Rise Of Darkness adds some elements from his other project (I), and out of nowhere at 2:26 features one of the best riffs on this album. Hordes of War speeds things up a little bit mixing a bit of Damned In Black's infamous sound with the feel of Sons Of Northern Darkness. The good thing is that they are not rehashing riffs, but Abbath and Demonaz (ex-guitar player that still writes songs for Immortal and I) have polished some of their best ideas from past albums and made them work in these new songs.

The performances are what any Immortal fan would expect from these Norwegian dweebs. Horgh sounds like a freight rain that is about to run you over. His playing seems a litte stiff compared to his superb work in Sons Of Northern Darkness, buit he does manage to give a powerful performance that sets a solid foundation to Abbath's harmonic dissonance. Abbaths riffs are more focused this time, with somewhat catchy riffs that have that old school Metal feel to them mixed with the sonic barrage of his trademark Immortal riffs. They are one of the main things that make this album feel like a continuation to At The Heart Of Winter. He even performs a chaotic guitar solo in Arctic Swarm that adds intensity to one of the heavier songs of the album, as well as a soulful solo on Mount North that makes that song an instant classic. Apollyon (bass, also from Aura Noir, Gorgoroth, Cadaver, Dødheimsgard, and a million other bands) holds everything together, even though he seems to be taking a back seat in this album. They used samples and synths on some parts of the album, but they don't interfere with the album's majestic feel, which is very important when it comes to maintaining the epic, battle metal feel of Immortal.

Should you buy this? Well, if you're a true Immortal fan, you already have this. If you're new to this band, I would consider listening to At The Heart Of Winter first, just to get into the mood of this album. Of course, if you're expecting an all out blast orgy, you're shit out of luck. And maybe this album does not need any unnecessary blasts and exaggerated tremolo picking. It is an epic album, one that will make you want to smack someone in the head with a plastic sword while listening to it. It may sound silly, but this is not an album about blood, guts, and Satan. This is an album that you should listen to before getting into a fight. It may not help you win, but it will make you feel like a ravenous beast that will annihilate anything that crosses its path. That's what Metal and Immortal are all about, and that is what they brought to the table this time. Now grab some cheap Halloween makeup, put on some corpse paint, and start running like a maniac around your neighborhood while listening to this album.

Spoonful of Vicodin: Self Titled Seven Inch Review

2009-10-09T09:06:00.004-04:00

Thanks to Casper from KDC for hooking me up with this EP from one of the most noisy, angry acts that have heard this year. I do not know much about these guys, except that I mentioned them as one of the highlights from Scott Hull's This Comp Kills fascists compilation that Relapse Records released a few months ago, and that they come from New York. This duet can rage more intensely than most bands with more members (and a bigger recording budget).

What we have here is thirteen songs of pure, unadulterated Crust Punk/Grindcore that deals with themes such as the current state of Punk rock, child medication, war, politics, corporations, and just about everything they can cover in less than ten minutes. This is fast, straightforward, aggressive music that makes Napalm Death's Scum sound like a Kenny G album. This is even accentuated by the fact that Tim (drums/vocals) and Sarah (guitar) can rape your ears through their chaos-infused songs. There is a bit of humor in some of the lyrics. Songs like You Smell Like a Bag of Rotting Dicks makes us giggle a bit at some unfortunate squatter punk's way of life. But they can also be a bit introspective in a song like Grind is Good For Acne. It's only two verses long, yet it strikes a chord inside anyone who has been into this type of music for a long time.

Their music is simple, raw, stout. They do not seem to fuck around when it comes to thrashing and grinding their asses off. This is like a more primal Dropdead, or a more primitive version of Los Crudos. Don't expect to hear catchy riffs, or dual guitar harmonies here. This is a shitstorm that will make you run for cover. It's Grindcore at it's most brutal and aggressive form, and you are not ready for it.

If you miss the early Earache days, or if you're into bands like , Swallowing Shit, Zanussi, or even Coche Bomba, you must give these guys a chance. While this is not a groundbreaking seven inch, and this is not as "polished" as their songs on This Comp Kills Fascists, this is a great addition to any Crust/Power Violence/Grindcore fan's collection. Give them a high five if you get the chance to see them live.

if you're interested in getting this seven inch, go to spoonfulofvicodin.com

Hay SIlencio: Otra Vez de Nuevo CD Review

2009-10-09T07:34:00.009-04:00

If you enjoy bands like No Means No, Fugazi, or even Jane's Addiction, you should check these guys out. Jagged, quirky, post-hardcore-indie-rock-punk-emo-alternative-progressive-blah-blah-blah music that seems to pay homage to mid 80s to that early 90s Post-Hardcore sound. This band features members/ex-members of other prominent Puerto Rican bands such as Un Final Fatal, Unidos No, La Experiencia de Toñito Cabanilla$$$, Germen Social & Kitsch (Google them). That probably means nothing to you, especially if you live outside of Puerto Rico, or you are not familiar with our underground Hardcore/Punk scene, but you don't need to know these bands to enjoy their music.

You may be asking yourself why the hell did I used those bands as a reference at the beginning of this review? Well, because this album reminds me of those bands, even though they're not emulating their sound. They can craft catchy, yet rhythmically complex songs that will grow on you after you get into the vibe of the album. Fin De La 1ra Parte starts with some effects-laden guitar lines, goes to a quirky, Punk part, then a keyboard and a catchy vocal mini bridge leads to a more grooved, staccato riff, and it flows seamlessly, without sounding forced or out of place. Other tracks that feature grooves, unusual changes, and interesting chords are Ay Silencio, Un Pequeño Detalle, and Alguien. Each song has a a bass line, a drum fill, a guitar riff, a holler that will stick in your head for days, and no matter how odd they may sound, they make it sound tight.

I like how the guys managed to incorporate some electronic music elements into the album without taking away from the organic, rock feel of the songs. Even the most noisy moments do not seem out of place. They know how to keep their songs compelling enough even for the most jaded, indie art fag that enjoys drinking overpriced coffee and likes to think he could be the next Hunter S. Thompson. Their lyrics seem hard to understand during your first listen, but it's good when a frontman forces to to read the lyrics more than once to really get the gist of it. While some of the themes may seem ordinary, there's a bit of spunk on them that helps them avoid mediocrity. Another good thing is that no one seems to be trying to take the spotlight on this album. I know this is a very riff-oriented type of music, but they complement each other rather well, unless Buk (guitar) is using effects on his guitar, or if a keyboard/electronic part goes in. It is not distracting, but may upset some listeners.

In the end, I do like to think that these guys like to piss their listeners off. Maybe through their cryptic lyrics, maybe through their juxtaposition of influences, or just because they're probably smarter than you and me. What really matters here is that Otra Vez de Nuevo is a solid offering from a band that may not be as famous as other Puerto Rican acts, but if you give them a chance, you might find yourself immersed in the weird ass sounds of these guys. They are giving their album away, so if you want to give it a try,go to their My Space profile, and if you download it, at least write them a message saying thanks, you ungrateful stains.

Dying Fetus: Descend Into Depravity Vinyl Review

2009-10-08T19:01:00.005-04:00

This is the album that I've been waiting for since Sparky, Jason, and Kevin left the band to pursuit other musical interest (namely, Misery Index). It is everything that War Of Attrition was not, and then some. The album is even better when you consider that Dying Fetus is now a trio featuring Sean Beasley on bass, Trey Williams on drums, and co-founder/only original member left John Gallagher.

I am not implying that a trio cannot perform as good, if not better, than a full fledged band. For starters, Dying Fetus was a four piece in the "good days" (before Stop At Nothing), and the only difference, besides having two guitarists, was the dual vocal duties of Gallagher and Netherton (Jason from Misery Index). With that in mind, if you think that they have loss the "edge" because they have less than four members on their lineup, you are a retard. In fact, this album is the most technically intense and downright heavy material that they have written since Destroy The Opposition. Songs like Conceived Into Enslavement, Your Treachery Will Die With You, and the title track capture that "I'm going to beat the shit out of you" feel that was missing from War Of Attrition. Also, John Gallagher has perfected his brand of "guitar wankery" by mixing his usual arpeggios and figer-tapped lines with some memorable hooks and those classic, "what-the-fuck-did-he-just-do) moments that I love. Trey Williams is a well rounded drummer, adding his own style to the band without feeling out of place. He can blast and beat the hell out of those bass drums, but he also comes up with some interesting flourishes and fills every now and then, keeping the songs interesting for the listener. Sean Beasley does not pop out in the mix that much, but he holds his ground in the rhythm section pretty well. The mix is very clear, but rough, which gives the album a more aggressive touch.

The songs still have their socio-political edge to them, and whether you agree or not with their points of views depends on how "libreal" or "conservative" you are when it comes to world politics and everyday issues. Without giving away anything that could spoil the experience for you, I must say that these guys are known, and respected, for having something to say, and keeping their lyrics pertinent to current events. Of course, they're a Death Metal band with Hardcore elements, so do not expect them to sugar coat their points of view, as methaphors and such poetic elements are kept to a minimum. This is as straightforward as politically charged music gets.

In the end, I must confess that I am a Dying Fetus fanboy. They are one of my favorite bands of all time, which makes this review biased. Well, go fuck yourself because this is a really good Death Detal album, if not one of the best Death Metal albums of the year. It fixes a lot of the problems that Stop At Nothing and war Of Attrition had, cranks up the level of technical prowess and brutality, and leaves you wanting for more as it ends. And if you see them booked at some show near your town, go see them. You might want to wear protective pads that day, but I promise you that it will be one of the most intense shows you will ever see in your miserable life.

News

2009-10-02T00:40:00.007-04:00

Finally, a new entry. Sorry to Heberto, since he is the only one who reads and replies to this blog, for not posting as much as I should. I've been pretty busy with a lot of bullshit, so bear with me, fool.

I have a shitload of albums that I want to review, but I have to see if I am going to change my reviewing style a bit, because I feel like I am wasting more time bashing assholes who won't hear anything that's not Emmure or Attack Attack, and I should spend more time focusing on the bands featured here and not on scenesters, mall metal kids, or retards in general. I'm not sure if I can do interviews right now, but as soon as I am done with all this college bullshit, I will try to do at least one more interview before the year ends. The Lion Of The North review will now be a comparison between Lion Of The North and their new projects: Staph and Grown Ups and how you should be paying attention to the music that is coming out of that area. Other reviews I am working on right now are: Gorgoroth, Lewd Acts, The_Network, Phoenix Bodies, Hewhocorrupts, Kidcrash, Commisure, Touche Amore, Campo Formio, Gaza, heartsounds, HORSE the band, Lightning Bolt, The Love Below, Killswitch Engage, Megadeth, Coalesce, Narrows, The Protomen, Spires, Swallowed Up, Tegan and Sara, and anything I can get my hands on.

Also, I'm an Xbox Live whore, so if you want to talk shit while playing videogames, add me. My gamertag is xlaxparkax.

That's it for now. Listen to La Dispute. Eat Hershey's Bliss chocolates. Don't start/join a shitty band.

Spoonful of Vicodin

2009-09-28T04:10:00.000-04:00

Get into it.

I will not delete this blog.

2009-08-08T06:12:00.007-04:00

I was about to cancel this Blogger account because I felt that I wasn't doing anything noteworthy with this blog, and because nobody cares about blogs unless they feature a million downloads. My main objective with this blog was to share some of the stuff that I came across and either enjoyed or thought that it sucked ass, and to some point initiate some sort of discussion with those interested in any particular artists or whatever. I do not think that I am a journalist by any means, nor do I intend to become one in the near future. Neither I think that my musical taste is superior to any of you, I listen to shitty music, and so do you, even though I do say it in most of my reviews, but if you are so mentally challenged that you get offended by that type of comment, you are a moron.

However, I know that some of you might discover an album on this blog that you will enjoy thoroughly, and that is more satisfying than getting thousands of hits per day, or "stepping up" and getting into music journalism or any of that bullshit. I do not post download links unless the band and/or artist has given me written permission to distribute their music through this blog. If you need to download an album, there is a million places on the Internet that you can get it, and even if that was the case, I would like to think that if you liked an album, you would do the right thing and support said band or artists by buying their records, merchandise, or doing something as simple as going to one of their shows and support the artists directly. Besides, this is an open discussion blog, and I post my opinion about a certain album, and why you should give it a chance. I do not want to be a solution to the hordes of morons that post on boards such as prhc.org or pulsorock.com, but I do no want to follow their mediocre way of describing an album they just downloaded from some blog and they will forget about it in a week. Instead of complaining about how no one talks about the music I like, or how everyone seems to be listening to the same stuff ad nauseam, I would rather post something I think is good, based on past releases, how it compares to what is popular at the moment, among other things, rather than waiting for someone with my same musical taste (ha!) to get the job done.

If you still think this blog sucks, so be it. At least I'm doing something.

I will post some reviews soon, including a review of that Mans/Lion Of The North splt that has been on hold for months,, along with some other new stuff.

Happy August

2009-08-01T05:42:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted in a while...

2009-07-23T02:16:00.004-04:00

Because nobody reads this fucking blog since I don't post download links.

Keep listening to the same shitty bands.

Suffocation: Blood Oath CD Review

2009-07-09T01:31:00.004-04:00

The last time I was eagerly awaiting a Suffocation album was when Souls To Deny was released. I was hoping for another punishing, heavy as fuck album, but all I got was a sadly average Death Metal album that isn't up to stuff like Effigy Of The Forgotten, or my favorite Suffo album, Despise The Sun. Maybe I was expecting them to go into more darker sounding territory, and it wasn't a commercial sounding album, but it didn't do anything for me as a listener. After that, I practically ignored everything they did, so i can't tell if there's a difference between their new effort and their previous album. fast forward to 2009 and Suffocation delivers one solid album that dares to explore new sounds while maintaining their punishing sound.

Blood Oath is the weirdest sounding Suffocation album I've ever heard. It has the same feeling as Effigy of The Forgotten, yet it has some riffs that could be part of any Morbid Angel album. It's like a whole new band, and yet it sounds familiar (if you're into this kind of music). They still have their heavy riffs, technical arrangements, but their chord choices this time make a noteworthy difference that could either make their old fans cringe or wonder if they're listening to the right band. I don't think the change is so drastic after a couple of listens, since they still keep their old school, New York Death Metal sound intact, and it's pretty heavy. But when a song like the title track hits you, it's interesting to see that they're tinkering a bit with their sound to keep things fresh. Sure, I would love to hear a song like Funeral Inception in this album, but they need Dave Culross for that. Other songs like Images of Purgatory and Cataclysmic Purification mixes their relentless groove and dissonance in their riffs with lots of rhythmic shifts. Mike Smith may not be the fastest drummer, but he's one of the most prolific drummers of his generation, showing that he can still hold his ground with his tight and precise drumming. Frank Mullen stills sounds like the Devil after all these years. It's nice to see the old farts like John Tardy and Mr Mullen still screaming their assess off, and doing it better than most of the ironed hair pig squealers out there. Terrance Hobbs and Guy Marchais have definitely outdone themselves with this record, as the real highlight here is their guitar playing. An impeccable performance by two of the most underrated guitarists in Metal. If it wasn't for them, along with some other death Metal pioneers, you wouldn't be going batshit crazy in the pit whenever you hear a breakdown, so think about that for a second and pay your respects.

While I may have to reconsider my reluctance towards the newer Suffocation after listening to this album, I must say that this album was a pleasant surprise. Sure, every kid out there who says they're into Death Metal because they listen to shitty stuff like Suicide Silence and Bring Me The Horizon may shun Suffocation because They're not "tech" enough, or maybe they're "too Metal" for them (yeah, I've heard people complaining about bands like Suffocation and Origin being "too Metal"), but this kind of music isn't meant for mall dwellers and scenesters. This is brutal, unforgiving Death Metal, played the way it was meant to be played, and if you think this is "too Metal" for you, maybe you should go back to your bedroom and listen to some Christian Nu-Metal on your IPod. However, if you're into good death Metal, give this album a try. It's not the best Suffocation album (that title belongs to Despise The Sun), but at least it will keep you entertained until the new Morbid Angel album comes out.

Los Perex: Internacionalicemos La Esperanza

2009-07-03T19:48:00.004-04:00

The new video from this Dominican Republic band. If you liked this song, click here to go to their My Space and listen to some new and old songs..

Paint It Black: Amnesia EP Review

2009-07-03T14:04:00.005-04:00

I'm not the biggest Paint It Black fan on the Internet. I do like some of their songs, but this is the only album that I've ever heard completely, and it's pretty good. I think there's some dudes from Kid Dynamite in here, which is one of the most fun bands that has ever dared to play hardcore, so that may give you an idea where these guys come from. This is Hardcore/Punk, plain and simple. Sometimes it's melodic, sometimes it's heavy and harsh, and the lyrics are as straightforward as they come. Maybe that description is too vague for some of you, but the great thing about this album is it's bare bones approach to Hardcore, which should please their fans.

These five songs cover a rather wide spectrum of Hardcore songs, from the heavy and abrasive, to the fast and melodic. It may sound unbalanced when put into words, but it works better than it sounds. Salem sounds angrier than most tough guy bands, and they're not even trying to sound like Shattered Realm or anything remotely similar. It's pulse pounding drums, angry vocal delivery, and chunky riffing should have no problem making the transition to the live setting. Homesick, Nicotine, and the title track have a bit of the harshest Kid Dynamite moments, while maintaining the frantic pace that keeps things interesting in this kind of music. The EP closer Bliss dares to work with some unusual sounding arpeggios and "gentler" pace, giving this short collection of songs a rather interesting closure.

If you don't have the slightest idea of who Kid Dynamite are, don't worry. You don't need to know the background of this band to enjoy their music. If you like stuff like Lifetime, Greyarea, Reach The Sky, or even Youth Crew Hardcore, you'll probably like this. I should start paying attention to these guys, because I really liked this EP, and I feel bad for not listening to their earlier stuff. Sure, I'm a bit reluctant when it comes to Hardcore, especially if I'm not familiar with the band, but hopefully, I'll discover more great Hardcore/Punk bands like Paint It Black and maybe I'll fall in love with this genre again.

Alexisonfire: Old Crows/Young Cardinals CD Review

2009-07-02T20:51:00.003-04:00

Now here's a band that had the chance to become one of the better "commercial" bands, and they decided to stray from the good songwriting from Watch Out and release an album that sounds like a Linkin Park side project. I know people who hate these kind of bands, but for some strange reason, they were into Alexisonfire. Some of them listened to their first albums while stoned, others talked about how good their music was, and others could care less. I do like their self titled album and Watch Out, but I haven't listened to Crisis yet. But if this album reflects their current state of mind, it's safe to say that they fucked up. Big time.

Horrible isn't fitting enough to describe this album. This is the sound of cocks slapping against each other, while they're covered in Lima beans and feces. And who told George Petit that his new vocal style was good. He sounds like he's singing for a Disturbed cover band. Not even Dallas Green's voice can save this album from utter mediocrity. They start off by saying "we're not the kids we used to be" in the chorus from Old Crows. Well, they may not be those kids, but I'd rather listen to those kids than these old farts who traded their hypnotic guitar interplay and dynamic vocal exchange for this "Punk Rock oriented" sound. I can't think of any Punk fan that will go nuts for this album, especially when the only thing they ever listen to is to old Rancid albums while smoking cigarette filters they found on the curb.

The main problem with this album is exactly the same problem that A Wilheim Scream has. They're trying too hard to be something they're not. Sure, Alexisonfire still throws off some interesting guitar hooks here and there, but having to listen to Petit's gravely voice while they're making boring, half assed commercial songs such as Sons of Privileged and Emerald Street makes you quickly lose interest in whatever good ideas they have have put in this album. Maybe dallas Green knew what was coming for Alexisonfire, so he went on his own and made the City and Colour project, which is pretty good acoustic stuff, and some of the other members went to Fucked Up, but Alexisonfire is officially dead. This album serves as the final nail on the mediocrity cross that what once was an avobe average band now carries. If you never paid attention to their early stuff, you're not missing out anything special, but if you were hoping for songs like Accidents or TYhe Kennedy Curse, you're better off with their older stuff. Maybe it's me, and this is a really good album, but right now, I can't get into it. I hoped for more, and this album proved that it's better to keep your expectations low. Now, where's that Graf Orlock CD?

Gorod: Process Of A New Decline CD Review

2009-07-02T19:44:00.004-04:00

Neurotripsicks was one of my favorite Death Metal releases of 2005, and I already was missing this French Progressive/Death metal outfit. Gorod plays a style that seems to be thrown around lately, but those of us who grew up listening to Death Metal know that stuff like Into The Moat and Despised Icon aren't Tech-Death. Bands like Gorguts, Death, Atrocity, Atheist, Martyr, and Cynic (among many others) are the pillars of this genre, and the ones who really deserve that tag. Gorod follows the steps of those bands, mainly Martyr and Death, but they do have their own sound, which focuses a lot on guitar interplay, and left-of-center rhythms.

Disavow Your God shows that you can make a technically-oriented song, and still make it memorable (unlike Necrophagist). Diverted Logic has a lot of shifts, hooks, and brutality to satisfy the need of those who search nothing but the finest songwriting in this genre. Gilded Cage flirts with some darker sounding riffs that could fit in a Black Metal band. Watershed has a Cynic influenced sound (robot voice vocals, soft to loud dynamics)that took me by surprise. This time, the vocals are more prominent than on Neurotripsicks, which is a nice change, esciicicially when this album is a lot heavier and less "jazzy" than their previous effort. The drumming has imrpoved a lot, and the songwriting seems more streamlined and downright brutal. Everything seems tighter and more focused now, which totally makes the band more enjoyable for casual fans, yet keeps things interesting for those who like to know what kind of pick the guitar players were using when playing a particular riffs or solo.

This is not between The Buried and Me, so if that's what you're expecting, go somewhere else. If you miss bands like Gorgasm (Gorod was also called Gorgasm in their early days, I'm talking about the Chicago band) or even Morbid Angel, get this. There's a lot of heavy stuff to compensate for the dizzying amount of complex riffs and arrangements, giving the album that much needed balance when playing this style of music. Highly recommended.

Japanische Kampfhörspiele: Luxusvernichtung CD Review

2009-07-02T18:48:00.004-04:00

I can't understand a single word these motherfuckers say or write, but I'll review it anyways because the music is ridiculously good.

Japanische Kampfhörspiele's Luxusvernichtung can pass unnoticed by most people, mainly because everything is screamed and hollered in German, and because most of the songs don't come close to the one minute mark (in real, old school Grindcore fashion), but if you're into bands like Hewhocorrupts, Melt Banana, or even early Pig Destroyer, you must get this album. Supposedly, it's composed of 54 short poems, which I guess they're mostly socio-political, and while I may not understand a single word, the music speaks volumes. This is angry, fast paced, Thrash-tingled, old school Grind with some Hardcore/Punk elements. The vocal style goes from Flattbush/Melt Banana inspired yelps and hollers to guttural, Lee Dorrian screams, which may offset some listeners, but I like it, so fuck them. Lots of chunnky, angular riffs, shifts, and everything that could make the most apathetic underground music fans to frantically bang their dandruff covered heads. The drumming is super tight. Everything from the fastest blast beats to the more mid-tempo rhythms are performed effectively and cleanly, which helps a band with this particular sound to shine. And that's the main thing about a Grindcore band, they could have the most well thought lyrics, the most intricate riffs, but if their drummer is not tight and fast enough, the music wouldn't make the same impact as an average Grindcore band with a really good drummer.

I can't pick any particular song off this album, since every song connects with each other, meaning that you have to listen to this album in it's entirety. If you can't deal with the awkward vocal delivery of "JaKa", there's a bonus track featuring all the 54 songs without vocals, so if you're one of those fucks who complain about Death Metal/Grindcore bands being "too Metal/too weird", you can still enjoy the music. And if you don't, go back to your bedroom and cut your wrist while listening to Dashboard Confessional.

Now go and get into it. Here's their My Space.

Obituary-Darkest Day CD Review

2009-06-30T05:37:00.005-04:00

I want to start this post by saying fuck your pseudo-Tech-Nu-Metal-rip-off bullshit. Give me the Celtic frost-influenced simplicity of Trevor Peres drilling on the fat E-string over bands like Suicide Silence anytime. Obituary may not win any awards fopr being the most technical Death Metal band out there, but they know how to write simple, groove ridden songs that can stand the test of time. I don't need to make a retrospective, and you already know that Obituary holds a special place in my blackened heart, so I'll cut to the chase. Obituary seems to be on a roll since they recorded Frozen In Time, and they show no signs of slowing down. They added Ralph Santolla in 2007, who sometimes sounds out of place with his manic guitar shredding, but he has helped Trevor Peres and the rest of the band to concentrate on the trademark groove of the band. I though Obituary was calling it a day when I saw that Tardy Brothers side project, which is basically a more Southern Rock inspired version of The Xecutioner's return, but they released this album to let the fans know that they're still around to make you mosh and headbang like a retard, and I'm glad that I can still can count on them to bring the motherfucking ruckus.

Darkest Day may lack the "charm" of their older releases, especially when you hear the guitar solos, but it's not like Obituary has changed their sound or anything. Along with Bolt Thrower, Darkthrone, and Motörhead, they can basically release the same album a million times and I would still enjoy it. I'm not saying the songs are all the same, it's just that their trademark sound (or at least what they've been doing since The End Complete) has remained intact after twenty or so years. Darkest Day has a better pacing than The Xecutioner's Return, which also makes this album a lot more enjoyable. Songs like Lost Inside and Your Drkest Day bring memories of The End Complete and World Demise, with their heavy, old school mid tempo feel, while thrashers like List Of Dead and Violent Dreams show that they may be old, but they can still kick your ass for being a pussy. John Tardy still sounds like he's choking on hot oatmeal, which is what makes him my favorite Death Metal vocalist ever. His screams seems more articulate and intense after all these years, showing that he can outscream anyone in this genre. Donald Tardy seems to be loosening up, because his drumming keeps getting better. Sure, he's still a beast (just like Kyle Severn), and he still beats the shit out of those drums, but he seems to be doing more fills and double bass work lately. The thick guitar and bass tone remains intact, which is the definite Death Metal sound. Thick, crunchy as fuck, and heavy like a van full of Jenny Craig clients. They know that some things are better when you leave them just the way they are, and they do exactly that. they have added some elements, like the guitar shredding, but even James Murphy and Alan West used to play some intense leads in the earlier albums, so if you're complaining about that, you're full of shit. I know the artwork's terrible, but Slowly We Rot didn't win any awards for it's artistic depiction of a rotting corpse on the street, which probably was drawn by a six-year-old. Anyways, if you want fancy artwork, buy a Tool album and put a dildo up your ass. These motherfuckers could just put a piece of filler paper with their name written in sharpies as the album cover and it still would look badaas, because you know that if it says Obituary, it has to be good.

I can't say anything about Obituary that hasn't been said before. Scenesters or kids who think that Job For A Cowboy is a legitimate Death Metal band may scoff at this primitive sounding band, but then again, they like to iron their hair and talk like Paris Hilton. However, if you're an old fart looking for some old school goodness, you must get this album. It may not be Slowly We Rot 1.5, but it doesn't need to. Just get this album and stomp some motherfuckers.

Maladie-Self Titled CD Review

2009-06-30T04:17:00.006-04:00

If you didn't pre-order the Ghostlimb/Fischer split, you are a dumbass. Why? Well, you could've been listening to this awesome band for free, since it came bundled with all the pre-orders of that split. Anyways, this is the first time that I listen to this Mexican band, which sound like a mix between Ekkaia and older La Quiete, and while it's nothing to write home about, I do enjoy their energetic brand of Hardcore/Punk/Screamo/whatever you want to call it.

The comparisons to Ekkaia are inevitable, since both bands scream in Spanish (although Maladie does have some English parts), and they mix the Hardcore intensity with the complexity of European Screamo. And while Ekkaia may have perfected that sound to the point of making it their own, Maladie shows some potential to evolve into something more than an Ekkaia clone. Their music strikes you with the intensity of Mike Tyson after a coke binge, while having some more melodic moments that serve to add a rich layer of aural textures that makes their songs more interesting. They do have some odd moments, like in Manos Estrechas and Síntomas, and they could benefit from a better drummer, but the music is very well written and dynamic, which helps them to avoid being a boring act.

You can definitely hear their Euro Skramz influence in the entire album. They do have a hardcore foundation, but their chord choices, arpeggiated patterns, and overall groove seems more influenced by that underappreciated genre (at least over here). I think they haven't found their sound yet, but there are some ideas here and there that show what these guys are capable of. If you compare them to stuff like Raein or Aussitôt Mort, which is pretty unfair, you won't even give them the chance they deserve. I say this because I know this is not a perfect album, but it's not bad either. I think Maladie has some solid ideas that they can develop in their future releases. And while this may have been bundled with another unrelated release, iI think that it's worth checking out if you're into hardcore or Screamo. Don't expect anything that will knock you off your ass, but dont underestimate them just because they're not a bigger band. If you're familiar with bands like Ictus or Entrefuego, you may enjoy this album. There are better bands out there, but there are much worse, so give these guys a chance and stop being a bitch about discovering new bands.

Maladie's My Space

Maintain-Save Yourself CD Review

2009-06-30T02:31:00.005-04:00

When it comes to Hardcore, I tend to prefer the 90's sound over the more "old school"/Youth Crew influenced bands. I could care less about bands like The Germs or The Dicks, but I go apeshit over stuff like Undertow and Snapcase. I got into the heavier side of hardcore about eleven years ago, and it was good because the only hardcore bands that I liked before that were Sick Of It All and Biohazard, but I wouldn't put those bands over stuff like Obituary, Anthrax, or even Sepultura, which were the bands I grew up with. Dicovering the Victory Records catalog (back when they didn't sucked ass) helped me get into awesome bands like Integrity, Refused, and By The Grace Of God (best Victory Records band ever), and broaden my music knowledge a bit more, helping me get into stuff thaat wasn't Brujería singing about killing Aamericans. I may be a Metal/Grindcore fan, but I can't deny how Hardcore has left a mark on me as a listener and as a musician. And maybe I'm not the best person to write about Hardcore (or even Punk), but at least I can talk from my own experience with the genre, not from what most of you "learned" by watching the American Hardcore DVD.

Maintain are a relatively young band from Massachusetts, and they have a demo tape, a seven inch (that I haven't heard yet) and this album, which was released about a year ago. The good thing about Maintain is that they remind me of that era when Hardcore didn't sucked ass and dared to work outside the genre boundaries that over-protective purists tend to adamantly watch. Of course, Hardcore bands like Bad Brains and Minor Threat really cared about the music and did their own thing back in the day (like knowing how to play their instruments), but Maintain has the key elements from some of the 90's hardcore bands that influenced many genres, from Nu-Metal (groove and dissonance) to Metalcore (heavier sound, more aggressive sounding riffs). Save Yourself may not break any new ground, and even the most adamant Hardcore fan may diss them for leaning towards the Snapcase-meets-Trial sound, but that's exactly what I like about this band. It is heavy, noisy, has great build-ups, and it makes you go nuts and spin kick some douchebag in the face without having to rely on breakdowns every ten seconds (Emmure, I'm looking at you). Songs like the title track, The Noose, and Damn The Torpedoes have that "something" that I can't find in most of the newer Hardcore bands. Maybe it's how they can manage to sound tight and controlled, while adding a litte bit of chaos to the mix. Of course, it's not balls out crazy like Deadguy, but they have that old Snapcase feel in their songs, which is fucking awesome.

There are some minor gripes, like some vocal choices, and the album pacing,which make the album feel longer than it actually is, but overall, this is a solid album for those of you who're into stuff like Unbroken or any of the bands I mentioned before. Bane/Comeback Kid fans will hate this for not having a million unnecessary sing alongs per song, and the tough guy douchebags will hate this for not sounding like Terror or whatever they're into these days, but if you're into stuff like Have Heart, give them a try.

buy ther stuff/harrass them here.

Nyah nyah nyah nyah!!!

2009-06-30T02:21:00.004-04:00

Thanks to Heberto from Sementerio for the tight ass banner. Now I need to figure out how to put this motherfucker up there.

Oh, and there are some new reviews coming up, along with some random shit. Support the underground, love your friends and family, and stop complaining about how much life sucks and get a fucking job.

No Explanation Needed

2009-06-19T01:29:00.002-04:00

Ghostlimb/Fischer Split Review

2009-06-19T00:38:00.005-04:00

I wasn't expecting another Ghostlimb split, especially when this was released shortly after their split with Trainwreck, Zann and Perth Express (which features four songs from Bearing and Distance). This time, they brought along a band that I've never heard before, but that I'm already hooked with, making this a truly enjoyable split.

Ghostlimb plays really pissed off thrashy Hardcore with some melodic elements. I already reviewed Bearing and Distance almost a year ago, so if you need a more accurate description, check that review (or ask them). In this split, these fuckers brought more melodic hooks than on their previous full length, but the intensity and speed is still there. Iberia has some chord changes that remind me of latter day Belvedere, which is good. Book Wall opens up with Justin screaming his ass off (as usual), only backed by some guitar riffs, until the rest of the band breaks in a minute after, making way for one of the most interesting songs on their side of the split. Motive has almost every element that makes Ghostklimb good, from the guitar melodies, to the blazing drum beats, to some Metal elements that'll make the most jaded metalhead shake their dandruff filled hair, and a pretty soulful solo that kinda makes me smile everytime I listen to it. While some may prefer the more aggressive style of their first full length, it's nice to see them experimenting with their song structuires and melodies to achieve a fuller sound.

I don't even know where Fischer came from, and I don't really care. What's important here is that these guys remind me of acts like Ex Number Five, End Of A Year, and Nakatomi Plaza. This kinda blurs the line between punk, indie rock, emo, and post hardcore, and while they're not reinventing the genre, they sound a lot better than most bands related to those styles. I could easily see these guys playing with Lemuria or a band like The Ergs, since they do have a very strong punk foundation, and songs like All The Real Girls and Don't Those Pomegranates Growing...? should be approved by the most jaded, Djarum smoking hipsters this side of New York. Really catchy, punk infused emo with some more dissonant, post-hardcore riffs and syncopated drumming that could appeal to a broad spectrum of listeners, not only those who think that Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is the second coming of Christ.

If you're into Ghostlimb, you're already interested in this split. It would be wise not to ignore Fischer, since you may miss one of the most interesting bands I've heard recently. Get your love sauce stained hands out of your cock and order this album, which comes bundled with the new Maladie album (which I'l be reviewing soon), and rage like Morgan Freeman fucking his step granddaughter.

Buy.

Comadre: A Wolf Ticket LP Review

2009-06-18T02:10:00.003-04:00

A Graf Orlock review followed by a Comadre review? What the fuck is this, bromance appreciation month?

If you haven't heard of Comadre now, you'll probably been dancing to the wrong songs, since these Bay Area "kids" have played all around the world, including Japan and The Caribbean (which says a lot about them). Anyways, you're in for a treat since A Wolf Ticket is, without a doubt, the best album from the Redwood City menace.

Yeah, you might think that I'm just another fanboy hyping a random band, and you may be right, but since I'm God and you're a peon, you should shut the fuck up and read. A Wolf Ticket works with the band's influences and dishes out a sound that's hard to describe, yet it's unbelievably catchy and just plain awesome. From the jangly intro of Hamlets to the creepy female vocals in Viva Hate pt.1, Comadre has worked on their songwriting and overall musical chops to deliver a-fun-and-catchy-yet-desperate-and-angry album that will stick in your head for weeks. Also, this album features the best drumming to date from Wes. He went berzerk on songs like Tannerisms and Suicides May Have Been Pact, while still sounding tight and giving the songs a good foundation. Jack and Kenny deliver their usual mix of chunky riffs and catchy melodies that have aged gracefully since The Youth , which is backed by Steven's crazy ass bass playing (although he's not doing those Disco-ish basslines from Hit me Up On My Celly Cell or Burn The Scene). Juanie screams and overall diction has never sounded better, since you can understand every scream and holler that he makes. People who complained over his vocal style should give him another try, especially when he seems to be in his prime.

The album almost feels like a concept album, since every song connects with each other rather than being a collection of random songs. I'm not entire sure if there's a common theme all over the album, but it feels like it. The sound of this album is a bit dirty and natural, which also gives the album that raw, simple sound that seems overlooked in this era where every band is using the Mainstream production techniques such as pitch correcting and other stuff that makes the bands sound like shit when they have to perform live. The album maintains a perfect balance between more manic songs like Viva Hate pt.2 and Kid Dynamite/The Get Up Kids influenced stuff like King Jeremy, giving the listener a good variety of songs within the same album (which isn't that long). Some of the most "brutal" kids may cringe when exposed to stuff that doesn't sound like a dump truck passing by your house at 7:00 AM, which is a shame because they'll be missing one of the best musical offerings of 2009. However, if you're open minded, or if you're familiar with real Emo/Screamo or underground Hardcore/Punk that doesn't sound like a bad attempt to cover Minor Threat, you should check this out.

Stalk these motherfuckers on their My Space or their Tour Blog. And remember to buy their shit and get uncomfortably close if you're seeing them live.

Graf Orlock-Destination Time Today CD Review

2009-06-18T00:59:00.005-04:00

Sorry for the delay, I've been busy being awesome.

Most of you know my devotion to these assholes and their "Cinema Grind". I could rip them off, steal their riffs and make songs with them, but i don't do it out of respect (and because I hate doing covers). Their new album continues the madness of Destination Time Today and their split with Greyskul, while throwing some unexpected shifts and changes here and then, maintaining their unique formula fresh and listenable.

When someone talks about Shooter, you may laugh at them for liking lame movies. When Graf Orlock uses clips from that movie, people start renting/downloading/streaming that fucker just to see what's up with the samples. That's part of the appeal of this band, they'll make you watch movies you normally wouldn't. But it's not all senseless movie clips and flashy artwork. They can outplay and outwrite most bands that are popular nowadays. They're not overtly technical, and their lyrics may be a bit "odd" for the "keep it real" crowd, but their songs don't need sweeping arpeggios and a breakdown every twenty seconds to sound heavy and frenetic.

While Graf Orlock's music seems spastic and "all over the place". this album feels a bit restrained after a few listen. Not that the songs aren't balls out crazy, but it sounds a bit more focused, which helps them to work out with some unusual guitar leads, rhythms and ideas that can't be played at 320 BPM without sounding like shit. This doesn't mean that they aren't willing to be over the top here and there, since they have written the greatest song of 2009. Days of High Adventure is a clusterfuck of scattershot drumming, distorted bass lines, manic screams, and angular riffing that doesn't let go. And just when you think it's over, they catch you off guard with the best thing they've done since the outro from The Dream Left Behind. Also, songs like An Interest in Prostethics have some elements from Destination Time Tomorrow/Yesterday, while others like Pre-Retirement Nerves: "Cop Killers" and Chapter III show how they can surprise you when you're not paying attention.

If you were expecting Skynet pt.II, you may be dissapointed. If you took the time to read their lyrics, listen to their songs, and see the overall picture, you'll consider this one of their best albums. And if they're in your town, go see them, and let them make fun of you and your bad taste in music.

You can get this CD or the awesome vinyl version for dirt cheap at http://vitriolrecords.com/

Ruidosa Inmundicia: De Una Vez 7" Review

2009-06-06T04:54:00.006-04:00

It's weird that I'm not a huge Latin American/Spanish Hardcore/Punk connosieur, considering that you're constantly exposed to them if you're in the Puerto Rico Underground/Indie scene. Most of our Punk bands are influenced by acts from Spain, and even when I was a bit reluctant towards any type of bands that came from "La Madre Patria" (mainly because of their weird accent/lisp thing, which is funny as hell), I've discovered many great acts during all these years like Los Muertos de Cristo, Ekkaia, Haemmorrhage, and Human Mincer. Not that I'm prejudiced towards my "fellow" Spanish-speaking countries, it's just that my first taste of Latin hardcore wasn't that good. Oh well, on to the review.

A few weeks ago, Jose from Tropiezo/Juventud Crasa/La Virgen del Pozo (Google them) told me about Ruidosa Inmundicia after he came from Europe. He said that it was one of the most intense acts that he has ever seen, and hooked me up with this seven inch, which was released a few years ago. While he was right about them, I didn't expect them to be this good. Needless to say, they kicked my ass and shat on my chest. This is really angry, punishing hardcore in the vein of Los Crudos and some "not-so-hardcore"(for the purists) stuff like Ictvs. The lyrics touch the usual socio-politically charged lyrics that are so common in the European and Latin American punk scenes, yet it doesn't feel like they're preaching or pointing fingers in a "holier-than-thou" way. Some people may be turned off by this, but I think that it's better to have something to say rather than coming up with really cheesy lyrics about gore, porn, or Satan. Still, the highlight of this album is the guitar work. Songs like Y Vuelvo a Odiar and the title track are very good examples of mixing the more harsh elements of hardcore/punk/crust with some well arranged chords here and there to bring the overall sense of urgency and violence to the front. The vocals are raw and constant, but not overwhelming, and the rhythm section plows through the songs like King Kong on Viagra. This could also be a problem to the people who think that if it's not The Germs or Black Flag it's not worth checking out, since these guys are almost crossing the Grind/Power Violence line on this 7", which is always good in my not-so-humble opinion.

There's not a lot that I can say about this 7", so you should just check them out if you're into well written and performed hardcore. It's not everyday that you get the chance to listen to bands as good as Ruidosa Inmundicia, and I thank people who still believe in sharing their musical findings instead of hogging it all up for letting me discover great music everyday.

www.ruidosainmundicia.net

Algernon Cadwallader: Hot Green 7" Review

2009-05-24T08:58:00.004-04:00

This has to be of of the best Emo/Punk/Indie Rock/whatever you want to call it bands that I had the chance to listen to in recent years. Algernon Cadwallader, fronted by Peter from Towers/Peter and Craig (you should check those bands out), has a sound that's a bit difficult to explain to people who are not familiar with acts such as Cap'n Jazz or American Football, and yet, this band may appeal to those who have not heard any of those bands.

This EP continues with the sound from their previous full length (Some Kind of Cadwallader), but it sounds a bit more upbeat this time, which is nice. This is the kind of album you would listen on a Sunday morning before going to the beach, or at least that's what comes to mind when I listen to this EP (and maybe why I'm reviewing this EP right now). With its combination of almost out of tune/childish vocals (although it's not annoying like Coheed & Cambria or most of the falsetto ridden mall core bands), tight drumming, and intrinsic guitar interplay that could be almost compared to what Alexisonfire did on their earlier albums, or even that "double song" feel of Morbid Angel. Did I used a Morbid Angel reference with Algernon Cadwallader? yes, I did, douchebag, and here's why. While their sound maybe be completely different, the idea behind playing different guitar lines instead of having multiple guitars playing the same riffs in unison is pretty similar to what Trey Azaghtoth did on Morbid Angel's Heretic. It's not as extreme, and they don't do it to the point of confusing the listener, which helps to make the songs accesible and enjoyable. They even used acoustic guitars and some brass/woodwind instrument that i can't identify clearly, once again expanding the sonic palette that these guys have at their disposal.

Without taking any credit from their previous releases, these three songs may as well be the best songs Algernon Cadwallader has to offer to this day. If you're into real Emo, Pop Punk, guitar-oriented Indie Rock, or whatever, you should check these guys out. You can get most of their releases through them, which is a nice way of supporting a very talented group of individuals who seem to grow and improve with every release.

Now, go to myspace.com/algernoncadwallader and start listening to some good music.

Note: I know that's not the 7" artwork, but i don't have a camera, and I couldn't find it online. If you really want the cover, buy the fucking EP.

Shook Ones: The Unquotable A.M.H. CD Review

2009-05-21T15:28:00.003-04:00

Shook Ones is a mixed bag. Sometimes, they can deliver great, Kid Dynamite-ish songs that will make you want to start a circle pit or stomp into somebody's head, but then they have some songs that kinda ruin the feel of the whole album. Facetious Folly Feat, their split with Easel, and the split with End Of A Year, they all suffered from this. The Unquotable A.M.H. attempts to recover the Facetious Folly Feat feel, but they end up delivering more filler songs than they should have.

I think that their main issue when putting together their albums is their pacing. Usually, the most frantic, well written song is the album opener, and that's not a bad idea, but when you compare the rest of the songs to the album opening track, everything else seems boring. This time, they start with a nice, catchy intro that leads up to the best track of the album, For Collards, which is a bit generic riff-wise, but it captures the very essence of Shook Ones. If only they focused their songwriting on more songs like this, maybe I wouldn't complain as much as I do, even though I love this band. Then, they follow this song with a total downer (Birds on ice), and while it';s a good song, it throws you off balance because of it';s more "depressing" tone. Then, they throw another slow song, and then they pick up the pace with Silverfish, which is very pop punk sounding, and it contains some of the best hooks from this album. But this patter of one or two fast songs, then a slower or more mellow song kinda ruins the experience of enjoying this album.

If you're familiar with Kid Dynamite, Lifetime, or even Paint It Black, you may ignore Shook Ones because they're not "up there" with those bands. But these guys are pretty good. Scott has a very peculiar, scratchy voice, and the music is pretty tight. However, this album seems to follow the more mellower style of the End Of A year split, since most of the songs are mid-paced and "sad-sounding". Maybe they're "maturing", even though they haven't strayed too far from their original sound, but I would rather have them play faster, catchier songs than those mood killers.

Maybe I'm being an asshole to the Shooks, but I'm still hoping that they top facetious Folly feat. Still, if you're into the more melodic side of hardcore punk, you might like this. Probably you'll enjoy this album more than me, but something tells me that these guys can do better than this.

Silverstein: A Shipwreck In The Sand CD Review

2009-05-21T14:46:00.003-04:00

Even though I'm not fond of these bands that are getting pigeonholed into the "Emo/Screamo" category when they have nothing in common with acts like Rites of Srping or Heroin, I must say that I enjoy Silverstein. They may be another MTV/Much Music/Fuse band, but they are very good when it comes to writing catchy, pop infused tunes, which is rare in this particular style. Most bands try to make a different album with each release, or they try to rip off southern rock, 90's Metalcore, or even Swedish Death Metal, but Silverstein sticks to what they know, which is making accesible music that almost makes you feel guilty for liking it.

I'm not sure how many people can be into Silverstein, considering that they are ugly as fuck and most kids who're into fake Emo/Screamo tend to like bands where their members look like anorexic girls with bad hairdos. Their drummer looks like a fucking Muppet, for fuck's sake. Aesthetics aside, this album works on the more "radio friendly" sound of Arrivals and Departures, and improves it by throwing a "concept" around the lyrics and artwork of the album. The vocals show some growth from the fisrt album that I ever heard from them (When Broken Is Easily Fixed), and so does the drummer. They realized they were too fucking ugly and they couldn't rely on their looks to get their name out there, so they took the harder road and improved their technique, and it shows.

Paul Koehler seems more "loose"on this album. I'm still impressed by his drummin on Discovering The Waterfront, where he dared to use some Metal-influenced fills and rhythms, and even some "hardcore"styled rumming. In this album, he follows that path, but overall his choices sound more well rounded this time. He may not be Zack Hill, but the kid is pretty tight if you ask me. As for Shane Told, he sounds more controlled and powerful, which also helps in a band like this. His screams are very good for a poppy band, and the good thing about his clean vocals is that he's not doing any falsetto/small child vocals like Chiodos. The riffs aren't anything that will drive you nuts, but they manage to be clear and catchy enough for this kind of music.

You can call me a sellout or a poser for liking this band, but considering that you're probably into The Bloody Beetroots or The Ting Tings, your opinion means shit to me. Silverstein may be a guilty pleasure for me, although I do not feel less for enjoying them (or any of the bands that I like), but at least they can deliver good, commercial rock tunes, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Sepultura: A-Lex CD Review

2009-05-21T14:00:00.004-04:00

I don't feel like doing a whole recap/Max vs Derrick/Morbid Visions vs Chaos AD kind of introduction, you can get those anywhere else. What I will say is that, even when I was reluctant to listen to new Sepultura albums after the shitty Sepulnation, I must say that not only this is one of the best Sepultura albums in years, but it even surpasses anything done by Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, and Megadeth recently.

I know that I'm a bit off when comparing Sepultura, which is technically a Death Metal band, with the "Big Four", but let me explain. Most of those bands (including Anthrax, which is the only band that I like from the "Big Four") released the shittiest comeback albums ever, and they continued to release shitty albums afterwards, whereas Sepultura has been ridiculed, dismissed as a failed attempt to mix ethnic music (whatever that means) with Metal, or even ignored by those who still expect a new album with Max Cavalera. I can say that I was guilty of the latter, since I grew up with Arise and Chaos AD, and it would've been nice. But knowing how Max Cavalera stayed in Nu-Metal/tribal mode forever, and not even reuniting with his brother could save his reputation (see The Cavalera Conspiracy), I think that Sepultura is better off without him.

The songs on this album have some elements from the Chaos AD era, mixed with some of the better moments from Against. One moment, they can be thrashing and stirring shit up, and then they throw a very unusual Beethoven interpretation, which is nice considering how Andreas Kisser always liked to experiment and try new things. It does have some monotonous riffs, like those one string pull off that plagued the entire Roots album, and some odd songs, but the good songs compensate for any weird moments that could turn you off. Songs like Forceful Behavior, Metamorphosis, Filthy Rot, and The Experiment bring back the better elements of the classic Sepultura sound, while updating it with some fresh ideas that keeps everything interesting (at least for me).

One of my major concerns with this album was their new drummer Jean Dolabella. While Igor Cavalera was busy doing his "tribal"drumming during most of his years in Sepultura, he was an amazing drummer with a lot of power and style (although he's no Peter Sandoval). The new guy manages himself pretty well, and his tight drumming helps these new songs to be on par with anything that Igor may have done in the past. What I really like about his playing style is that he's not trtying to outplay Igor, or trying to show off. His fills and rhythms are exactly what the songs need to hold their ground. Maybe some of the older Sepultura fans may have wished for more fills and percussion, but this guy gets the job done. By the way, this is the first time that Sepultura features blast beats since Morbid Visions, and while the blastbeats on The Experimentt weren't mind blowing, it was a nice touch and a pleasant surprise.

The rest of the old farts (Andreas, Paulo and Derrick) did a great job, especially derrick. Andreas has to stop doing those single string riffs and do more of his trademark dissonant riffs and guitar noises. he is a very talented guitarist, but sometimes it feels like he's just being lazy. Paulo is no Jaco Pastorius, but he backs up the band really well, as usual. Derrick is growling more, which is great. I know that he is a very dynamic vocalist, and he does do some of his more unusual vocals here and there, but his growls are way more defined and brutal, which made me appreciate his work after all these years of hating him.

Overall, this is a very good album, although it does have some filler instrumentals. The old Sepultura fans will not listen to this album, and the new kids could care less about the legacy of a band like Sepultura. As a jaded fan, I must say that this is the album that I have been waiting for all these years. I only hope that they keep improving and working on the sound of this album on future releases, since they have proven that they still have some fuel left in the tank.

Pestilence: Resurrection Macabre CD Review

2009-05-21T13:29:00.003-04:00

It was a pleasant surprise to see that these guys were back with a new album, and while it's not Consuming Impulse/Malleus Malleficarium pt.2, it's way better than any shitty bands that you may be listening right now.

All the elements that made Pestilence one of the best Death Metal bands from the 90's are present in this album. From the tight drumming to the technical riffing, it feels like this album was released back in the 90's, except that it has a "modern sounding" mix (it's just a bit clearer). It's not as technical as the best songs in Consuming Impulse, but they do have some interesting riffs (Fiend being one of the better examples) that helps the band to stand out a lot more than most recently reformed bands. The album maintains that "thrashy" old school feel, which is an element that most modern death metal acts seem to ignore. Maybe I'm being nostalgic, but give me this kind of raw, brutal Death Metal over any shitty, almost Nu-Metal sounding bands like Despised Icon.

Some of the older pestilence fans may whine because martin van Drunen didn't record on this album, but I must say that Patrick Mameli has done a great job, even after all these years (he was the opriginal vocalist, just so you know). His voice sounds like it should, like a metalhead who's been listening to The Accüssed religiously, and I love it. There are no pig squeals, no Danni Filth-like vocals, and no clean vocals anywhere, this is as old school as it gets.

But don't let that all this "old school"talk turn you down. If you appreciate heavy, technical bands, fast but diverse drumming, and just plain good brutality, you will probably enjoy this album. However, if your idea of Death Metal is sounding like Slipknot, you're a retard. Now go and buy this, bitch.

Robocop vs The Terminator and What I Miss The Most About Old School Games

2009-05-13T04:54:00.009-04:00

When I was a kid, I always asked my parents to take me to the video club to rent this game. And who wouldn't want to play this? I mean, you get to play as the only good cop in the history of the world, blasting Terminators and punk ass bitches up with grenade launchers and laser guns, what's not to like?

Recently, I got to play this game, and it still kicks ass. Maybe it's the nostalgia kicking in, but in this day and age when video games are getting way too complex for their own good, it's nice to go back to the old days and find stuff like this, Contra, Ikari Warriors ,or 1942 to remind us everything that the video game industry has forgotten about: fun and playability.

Sure, this game has the dumbest premise ever, and it doesn't even have a story, but who cares? If you ask me, all I need is a bunch of bionic implants and an Auto-9, not air strikes and bullshit recreations of WWII or the current conflict in Iraq. I'm sick and tired of watching the news and watching war footage or whatever, I don't really want any of it when I'm trying to relax and have fun playing a video game. I'm not saying that the current generation of video games sucks, especially when we have games like Street Fighter IV, Killzone 2, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots, and Persona 4 (even though it's a PS2 game), but I don't want to play a game based on something that's being pushed down my throat every day on the news.

The controls on this game are not top-notch, or even precise. They're very sloppy for a side-scrolling shooter, which can be a bit frustrating when doing some platform jumps, or trying to shoot enemies that are above or below you. Still, it only uses 3 buttons: one to select your weapons, one to fire your selected weapon, and a jump button. Now, game programmers are assigning functions to every possible button on a controller. For fuck's sake, you even have to push the analog stick on your PS3 or Xbox 360 for some stupid action. Sometimes, it's confusing, overwhelming, and downright absurd. Games like Wartech: Senko No Ronde suffer from this problem. That game is pretty good until you have to battle a robot. There's like a million commands assigned to an eight-button-controller, and most of the time, you end up mashing buttons because you don't have the slightest idea of what you should be doing. Sure, comparing a top down 3-D mech fighter with a side scrolling shooter is like comparing an apple with a chainsaw, but I'm pretty sure that if the programmers tried to keep it simple and playable, that game wouldn't cost $7.00 (or even less), and everyone would be talking about it.

I know I went off-topic and almost used this post to complain about the current generation of video games. In fact, I do love the current generation of video games. How else would you explain me blowing almost $400.00 in an Xbox 360 and a copy of Street Fighter IV (plus every game that I've purchased afterwards)? But seeing how everyone goes apeshit for games like Gears of War 2 and Call of Duty 4 leaves me a bit confused. I mean, those games are great, and probably have pushed the technical envelope a bit further, but I'm pretty sure that someone who isn't a gamer can't pick up and enjoy any of those games when their controls require a master's degree in engineering. And that's why, even when I'm in love with the current generation of video games, I usually tend to go back to my old Sega Genesis, Super NES, Sega Master System, and Neo Geo games, not because the new games are too complicated for me, but games like Vectorman, Gradius III, Shinobi, and the King of Fighters series have the same replay value of 15-20+ years ago, and I still have a fun time playing those games after many years. I'm not sure if that could be said about Call of Duty 4 or Gears of War 2, especially when they're launching new versions of Call of Duty every ten months or so. I guess we'll just have to see. Until then, I'll keep shooting these motherfucking Terminators.

Now, I want my Robocop vs The Terminator movie, and Paul Veerhooven should co-direct it with James Cameron.

I removed the play list again.

2009-05-05T22:55:00.008-04:00

Because Imeem's being a bitch and the player's cutting the songs on my play list to 30 second snippets. Until I find a way to fix that shit, you'll have to listen to your stupid ITunes/Pandora shuffle play list, which probably consists of shitty bands like Comeback Kid and Suicide Silence, or lame stuff like Kanye West and The Arcade Fire.

In the meanwhile, I 'll keep kicking everyone's ass on Street Fighter IV (no, if you still haven't figured it out, you can't have my Xbox Live Gamer Tag because you're a retard) and listening to Julio Voltio while I explode some shit up in Grand Theft Auto IV (yes, I like games with Roman numerals, and yeah, I bought an Xbox 360).

Coming soon: Half of the reviews I owe you, plus Graf Orlock, Shook Ones, Comadre, Maintain, and Algernon Cadwallader reviews, and some other random shit.

Video Premiere-The Black Thunder performs La Flor del Frío Unplugged

2009-05-05T22:47:00.003-04:00

KDC's flamboyant guitarist The Black Thunder recorded a cover of that heroin junkie's song about his days in Camden Town and how he loves the cock. I think The Black Thunder captured the homoerotic intensity of that song perfectly.