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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?-Ahora Mas Que Nunca 7"EP
OK, I'll say it right here, right now. What is the big deal with this band? All they amount to are a generic thrash band. And not that this isn't good, I've just heard it about ten years ago. I'm actually pretty disappointed with this release actually. Considering the amounts of people going apeshit over this band, and the quality of Lengua Armada releases, this is a big let down. Of course that won't stop people from getting this in mass quantities. I will give props for having a song about the rate of consumption that's going on in our scene.
(Lengua Armada Discos/340 W. 24th St./Chicago, IL/60608/USA)
INSULT TO INJURY-12"EP
Wow. What is it with the water in Columbia, South Carolina? This band sounds like the slightly (and I mean slightly) more melodic brother of ASSFACTOR 4. Seriously combining all the things that made (make?) ASSFACTOR 4 great; the melodic guitar with the punchy bass and scorched earth mid-range vocals. Anyone who knows me knows I love ASSFACTOR 4. I love this band a lot too. I can't wait to hear more from them. Oh wait the review...well the lyrics are well done in that personal/political way, in addition to the actual lyrics we also get a brief explaination of what they mean to whomever (I assume) wrote them. The cover is appealing, with a cut and paste feel, it evoked a feeling of a Vermiform ad from the mid-90's, but maybe that's just me.
(Belladonna/PO Box 13673/Gainesville, FL/32604/USA)
ORCHID-Dance Tonight-10"
Hell this is much better than the other ORCHID stuff I've heard. In fact, I'd say it's some of the best stuff they've done. Tight, harsh hardcore punk with enough different bits (ie. it isn't a wall to wall blastbeat jackhammer) to make it better. The packaging is swell, as all Ebullition releases are, and the insert reminded me of what people were doing in the mid 90's with inserts (small, folded, textured and coloured paper).
(Ebullition/PO Box 680/Goleta, CA/93116/USA)
TRAGEDY LP
Ex-HIS HERO IS GONE folk continue to expand on the musical groundwork they've laid. Despite the obvious comparisons to HIS HERO IS GONE, there is enough difference between the two bands to make this purchase worthwhile. Quite possibly one of the heaviest bunch of songs laid to vinyl I've ever heard.
(Tragedy Records, try Ebullition)
BORN DEAD ICONS Work LP
Former members of DRIFT continue to meld into a modern day MOTORHEAD. The entire record strikes me as a re-recording of a MOTORHEAD record... which isn't a bad thing, except that it was done a while ago already. The graphic design and aesthetic appearance of the LP is really well done and adds a dimension to the record that enhances the entire package.
(Dead Alive Records/PO Box 97/Caldwell, NJ/07006/USA)
I HATE MYSELF 7"
Somewhat typical emo inter-spaced with far too few hardcore bits. When the band decides to let it all out, it's very good, but when they are restrained (and more "emo") it's not as good. Overall, not too bad, just a little too mellow for my tastes.
(No Idea/PO Box 14636/Gainesville, FL/32604/USA)
HANGMAN demo
While I hate to throw out comparisons so readily, I feel that this band has an early BORN AGAINST or LIFE'S BLOOD feel (to clarify that doesn't mean they sound like those bands...). Sonically, they pull off a more modernized sounding version of the early 90's hardcore that the aforementioned bands were playing. Usually demos sound like they're recorded with a microphone planted firmly in the rear of an elephant. This one doesn't.
(PO Box 40766/Portland, OR/97240/USA)
RED SCARE-Strangers Die Everyday-CD
It's unfortunate that this record is the last for the RED SCARE to come out, just because this shows a progression that is unfinished. It has less drive especially when compared to their earlier works. The guitar work is waaaay too far up in the mix. Nice cover. Not bad, not immediately great either...
(Troubleman Unlimed/16 Willow St/Bayonne, NJ/07002/USA)
NO PARADE 7"
The newest version of an homage to HIS HERO IS GONE is here and doesn't disappoint. While this seems to be closer to what TALK IS POISON were doing, there's a sense of DEATHREAT and the obvious comparisons to DISCHARGE. Maybe the TALK IS POISON comparisons are more reserved for the cover and artworkŠ and the feel. Heavy but not oppressive or overly gloomy. Also, this record features an anti-cop song that is well written and doesn't fall victim to the obvious sloganeering that could easily occur.
(Partners In Crime/4507 N. Ganterbein/Portland, OR/97217/USA)