Action Beat - Beatings (2010)

Country: UK
Genre: Noise Rock, Math Rock, Instrumental, improvisation.
Label: Truth Cult
Tracks: 8
Lenght: 66'

The conceptual maelstrom that is this ever-evolving noise collective from Bletchley in England has to be one of the standard-bearers for DIY ethics in the UK right now. Having steadily built their project up from its meagre beginnings outside Milton Keynes, these guys now spend four months at a time on the road. A new relationship with Truth Cult (and its benefactors at Southern Records) has exposed Action Beat to a much wider audience and they seem to be reaping the rewards.

Given the hellish furore often taking place, production on this album is remarkably strong and crisp. Beatings skilfully combines some of Sonic Youth's more rabid moments with the ugly clatter of early 90s Chicago noise. It is distinctly uncompromising and, as such, potentially very divisive. There are no singles. There are no dancefloor hits. Instead there are ten slices of cathartic, convulsive anti-rock that thoroughly deserves at least 36 minutes of your time. -The Skinny

Action Beat on Facebook
Action Beat Webpage
Purchase
Action Beat - Beatings (2010)
Action Beat - 1977-2007 . Thirty Years Of Hurt Then Us Cunts Exploded

Total Control-Henge Beat LP (2011)

Country: Australia
Genre: Postpunk, garage rock
Label: Iron Lung Records
Tracks: 11

Sometimes it's great to accidentally stumble across a band when checking out other blog posts as was the case with Total Control. Total Control are a Melbourne, Australia based band who play an infectious/catchy as hell style of music that incorporates 80's stlyle postpunk/new wave and adds a garage rock element. Total Control's influences include The Wipers, Stooges, Mission Of Burma, and MC5. The eleven songs on Henge Beat make for a phenomenal album. Do yourself a favor and take Total Control for a spin. Great stuff. Fans of The Eddy Current Supression Ring, Obits, Out On A Limb, and The Estranged take note. Enjoy!

Total Control on Bandcamp

Purchase: IRON LUNG RECORDS
Total Control - Henge Beat LP (2011)

Bacchus-S/T LP (2011)

Country: Ireland
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Crust, D-beat
Label: Distroy records, Contraszt
Tracks: 8

I know this album has been up on a few other blogs, but I wanted to get permission from the band before reviewing and posting on Elementry Revolt. Ireland's Bacchus have brought their A-game to the table on their debut self titled LP. The eight songs contained on this album pummel the listener senseless and Bacchus has grown in leaps and bounds since releasing their demo and Attica Ep's. The eight songs on this album are an interesting take on blackened and metallic hardcore/punk. Bacchus takes the formula laid out by Tragedy, From Ashes Rise, etc. and add to the sound a modern/riff heavy style of modern hardcore being played by bands such as Harms Way and Weekend Nachos. The end result is an incredibly intense album's worth of music. Seriously, this is one of my current favorite albums of the year and will probably end up on my best releases of the year posts for 2011. I can't begin to describe how good this album is. Do yourself a favor and give this a listen. Fans of Alphinist, Harms Way, Weekend Nachos, and Planks take note.

Bacchus on Tumblr

Bacchus on Facebook

Purchase

bacchus - bacchus (2011)

Dirge - Elysian Magnetic Fields (2011)

Country: France
Genre: Metal, Post Metal.
Label: Division Records
Tracks: 8
Lenght: 66'

Born in Paris in 1994, Dirge is nothing less than the godfather of the European Neurotic Hardcore scene. During a non-stop evolution path, the band gave birth to 4 high quality recordings, going from proto-noise/indus to more sensitive and emotional elds, the last in date being the monumental “Wings of lead over dormant seas”. Cheer heaviness, gloomy atmospheres, long and progressive songs, the music is as epic as it is exciting & truly personal. And it won’t stop to be. As a proof you’ll soon discover their new masterpiece, entitled “Elysian magnetic elds”, planned to hit world’s face in April 2011. Expect a new & strong experience, again.

4 years after the highly acclaimed "Wings of lead over dormant seas", the french veteran of neurotic posthardcore, Dirge, are back with "Elysian Magnetic Fields". A brand new album composed of 8 pieces of art guiding you through apassageway between wonder and magnicence. To be discovered for the rst time in the bands history in CD and 2LP version. "The journey is dark. The landscapes are grey. The road never ends as the sky is heavy on our shoulders pressuring you down more and more. To escape, we are forced to dig deeper and deeper. The feeling of the earth's heavyness on our back. There's no hope to see the light anymore. But who cares, nally? Everything is beautiful down here, and so we begin to feel as part of this ground. And there is this kind of epic and smooth melodies which come from the darkness of this never ending black hole we’re digging. And so we keep going down. Forever."

Dirge on Myspace
Dirge's Webpage
Purchase
Dirge - Elysian Magnetic Fields (2011)

(Domino Media Group request)

Split - Crop Circles & Light Up! 7" (2011)

Country: Italy
Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Fastcore, Thrash.
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 7
Lenght: 8'

Well, new release from Light Up! old acquaintances in blog. Increasingly faster, more powerful and extreme. For this occasion are accompanied by their countrymen; Crop Circles, playing a similiar style, ultra fast and furius thrash influencied hardcore. Biela!.

Crop Circles on MySpace
Light Up! on Facebook
Split - Crop Circles & Light Up! (2011)
... more Light Up!

(band request)

Vecindad Autopsia - EPP EP(2011)

Country: Paraguay
Genre: Hardcore, Punk Rock, Ska, Reggae, Paraguayan Folk.
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 6
Lenght: 15'

Vecindad Autopsia come from Paraguay a play a mix of punk, hardcore, ska, reggae, Paraguayan folk and other styles . Some of the influences are The Clash, Dad Brains, Descendents, Nofx, Suicide Machines, Sublime, Raymond, Fun People, Todos Tus Muertos or Voodoo Glow Skulls most ... the spirit can be more like Fun people, mixing many different styles at once, though a little more ska / reggae (horn section have a more or less fixed), and poetry is something more than humor and sarcasm.

Vecindad Autopsia on Purevolume
Vecindad Autopsia's Blog
Vecindad Autopsia on Facebook
/////////////////////////////////
Vecindad Autopsia - EPP EP(2011)
Vecindad Autopsia - Mba'eve (2008)

(band request)

Canvas-Ashes LP (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: Posthardcore, emo, indie rock

Label: Get Young Records

Tracks: 8

Here's a band I haven't seen posted that I think people will like. Canvas are a CT based band featuring members of Cold Snap, The Distance, and features the former lead singer of Call It Arson. This relatively new band plays a great style of posthardcore/emo/indie rock with almost pop punk style sensibilities. Ashes features 7 original songs and a Bruce Springsteen cover thrown in for good measure. Canvas' influences are varied, but I pick up elements of bands such as Small Brown Bike, Knapsack, and possibly Rival Schools. Ashes is an excellent LP and people who enjoy Balance And Composure, Small Brown Bike, My Heart To Joy, and Title Fight need to give Canvas a listen. Enjoy!

Canvas (Bandcamp)

Purchase:Get Young Records

Canvas-Ashes LP (2011)

Cloud Rat/The Oily Menace/Wolbachia-3-Way Split LP (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Grindcore

Label: IFB/Black House

Tracks: 6

Here's another impressive LP coreleased by IFB and Black House Records. Here's a description from IFB record's blog: A three way split of vicious HC and grind. Michigan's Cloud Rat continues their assault with crushing riffs which lapse into grinding violence, all backed up by some of the most palpably pained vocals I've ever heard. Fellow Michiganders The Oily Menace rip through ugly, heavy as hell old school low vocals grindcore with political lyrics and even using some classic folk song lyrics (no folk in the music though I promise). While you try to reattach your face after the first two, Canada's Wolbachia works on giving you a stroke as they slash through some non-traditional grind that sounds like having a heartattack in a swarm of bees. Wolbachia is members of Kursk and they maintain that seething vocal sound.

*I can't do any better as far as describing the 6 songs on the album. Do yourself a favor and give the LP a listen and head over to IFB and purchase some music. Great stuff! Enjoy.

IFB Records (Blog)

Purchase:IFB Records

CLOUD RAT (blog)

Oily Menace( Blog)

Wolbachia (Facebook)

Cloud Rat & Oily Menace & Wolbachia Split LP (2011)

Full Of Hell-Roots Of Earth Are Consuming My Home LP (2011)

Country: USA
Genre: Hardcore, Punk

Label: A389 Recordings

Tracks: 11

Damn, this is an impressive debut full length by Full Of Hell. Full of Hell are a Maryland, PA base band who play an impressive style of music that's fast, angry, and has a great DIY feel that keeps the band firmly rooted in punk rock. Full Of Hell takes elements of staple thrashy bands such as Nasum and Infest and combines this sound with the doomy riffs and chaotic structure that made the likes of Converge, Trap Them, and Pulling Teeth. Overall, Roots Of Earth Are Consuming My Home is a great album. Definitely a must listen. Highly recommended. Enjoy!

Full of Hell (facebook)
Purchase

Full Of Hell-Roots Of Earth Are Consuming My Home LP (2011)

Rotting Out-Street Prowl LP (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: Hardcore, Punk

Label: 6131 Records

Tracks: 11

Hailing from the mean streets of San Pedro, CA, Rotting Out has returned (after their debut 7" on 6131) to give us their honest and real take on modern hardcore. Taking cues from bands like Black Flag, Pennywise, and Suicidal Tendencies, Rotting Out has carved a unique niche within the scene today. This debut full-length showcases their new vocalist, Walter Delgado, spitting and screaming his way through their eleven-song full-length. Street Prowl is another great album and it's the first time I've given these guys a listen. Great stuff. Enjoy!

ROTTING OUT (Facebook)

Purchase:6131 Records

Rotting Out - Street Prowl LP (2011)

Balaclava-Crimes Of Faith LP (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: Hardcore, punk, crust

Label: Southern Lord

Tracks: 7

Hailing from the filthy bowels of Richmond, VA, Balaclava play hardcore punk with severe intensity. Influenced by bands like Neurosis, His Hero Is Gone, and Cursed, they are putting their own stamp on the heavy hardcore genre with a sound ranging from sludgy, crust-ridden dirges to restrained ominous melodies of blistering triumph. I was really impressed by the seven songs on Crimes Of Faith. Definitely a must listen for fans of Bacchus, Planks, Baptists, and Alphinist. Highly recommended! Enjoy!

Balaclava (facebook)

Purchase:SouthernLord Records

Balaclava-Crimes Of Faith LP (2011)

Stepson - Crossing Red (2006)

Country: Spain
Genre: Indie Rock, Post Hardcore.
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 9
Lenght: 36'

Stepson was formed group Zaragoza, born in 2003, which is handled with a remarkable catalog of influences ranging from punk rock foothills of the eighties (read Hüsker Dü, Mission of Burma, Buzzcocks) to a taste for the tunes indie rock of the early 90 (Superchunk, The Posies, Sebadoh) through the post hardcore sound of Washington DC (Bluetip, Fugazi, Aina). After a first demo recorded in August 2003 that was well received by local media group has made numerous performances sharing the bill with international groups such as the French Weeping Minds of Silence or the Germans Elecktrolochman and participated in some festivals of gender as Fatal Falafest with bands like Tribute to Nothing, The unfinished Simpathy or Delorean. In April and May 2005 Stepson locked themselves in the studio to record their first album in Montreal Subiza studies (Pamplona) with Hans Krüger to controls. The album has been published under the title Crossing Network and denotes the group's quest for a more personal sound and defined including its references to walk among the power pop of the eighties and nineties post hardcore.

Stepson on MySpace
Stepson - Crossing Red (2006)

Best of Blogosphere. Week XXV.

-#1. -#2. -#3. -#4.

-#5. -#6. -#7. -#8.

-#9. -#10.

Sloths-Transit EP (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: Hardcore, post hardcore, noise rock

Label: Self Released

Tracks: 4

Damn. This request came as a pleasant and refreshing surprise. I've kind of been in a rut when it comes to listening to music lately. I've been primarily listening to a lot of metal, crusty hardcore and emo lately and this came as a great change of pace for me. Sloths are a Portland, Oregon based band who play a unique style of music that mixes hardcore, posthardcore, noise rock and post rock. The opening song on Transit is off-kilter, discordant and has a hectic, nervous, and almost paranoid feel to it. After that, Sloths slow things down a bit and settle into a post hard core sound and takes cues from bands such as These Arms Are Snakes and Botch. The other two songs have a noise rock vibe to them and remind me a bit of Ken Mode or early Young Widows. Overall, Transit is a kick-ass Ep. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes on Sloths to see where they take their style of music. Great stuff. Enjoy! I also included Sloths' 6 song demo for you to check out as well.

(Band Request)

Sloth on Bandcamp

Sloths - Transit EP (2011)

Sloths - Demo

Beartrap - Nailed Shut 7" (2011)

Country: USA
Genre: Thrash, Hardcore.
Label: To Live A Lie Records
Tracks: 16
Lenght: 5'

Sixteen tracks of ripping thrashing hardcore from Massachusetts. Hailing from this area they are very reminciscent of TERMINAL YOUTH (RIP) and BRAINKILLER, and to me they sound like a hyper-speed version of BLANK STARE.

Beartrap on Bandcamp
Purchase
Beartrap - Nailed Shut 7" (2011)

(band request)

Getreal - A Beat Back The Silence (2002) /Classic/

Country: Spain
Genre: Rocking PostHardcore, Metal.
Label: Bcore
Tracks: 9
Lenght: 39'

In their debut album "A beat back the silence", Get Real doesn't look for speed or sing-along melodies. They are harsh, dense, powerful, greasy and dark, between the overdriven rock by Rocket From The Crypt or Motörhead and the modern hardcore by Refused, Abhinanda, Nine or Planes Mistaken for Stars. A calculated production by Xavi Navarro (Favez, One Man And His Droid, No More Lies, The Unfinished Sympathy) finds the perfect balance between aggression and ellegance, making this record one of the most powerful from these last years BCore catalog.

Getreal on MySpace
Purchase
Getreal - A Beat Back The Silence (2002)

Atriarch-Forever The End LP (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: Death metal, doom, sludge, noise rock, stoner rock

Label: Seventh Rule Recordings

Tracks: 4

Damn, this is a smoldering wreckage of an album. Atriarch are a lo-fi black metal influenced band from Portland, Oregon who offer up a behemoth of a release on their latest album entitled Forever The End. On the surface, Atriarch wear their influences on their sleeves and it would be too easy for me to simply write the band off as being influenced by contemporary acts such as Thou, Moloch, and other similar bands. On closer listen, I also pick up a bit of a Neurosis or Unsane vibe. Add to the mix a post rock undercurrent with traces of bands such as Isis or Russian Circles. Completing the package is a slight noise rock or sludge edge that bring to mind bands such as Melvins or Big Business. Seriously, the four songs on this album made my jaw hit the ground. Great stuff. Highly recommended! Enjoy!

Atriarch on Facebook
Seventh Rule Recordings on Bandcamp

Purchase:Seventh Rule Recordings

Atriarch- Forever the End (2011)

Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate)-Middle Discography(2011)

Country: USA

Genre: Emo, Indie rock

Label: Stiff Slack

Tracks: 18

(Band Bio): Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) is a band from the tiny town of Fenton, Michigan that started in 2006. It consists of Keith and Cathy Latinen, a heroic husband and wife combo who love the crap out of each other. There have been a lot of other members, and maybe someday there will be a few more- but for right now, it’s just Keith and Cathy.

*Mdddle Discography showcases the band's style of 90's emo/indie rock influenced by bands such as Mineral, Boy's Life and other Deep Elm style bands. Seriously, Empire! Empire! is one of the frontrunners who play this style of music. On this collection of songs, you will find every track released by the band with the exception of their full length and new 7", Home After Three Months Away. Many of these songs appear for the first time on CD ever, and there is even a new and previously unreleased track. 18 tracks in total. I highly recommend checking this band out if you haven't done so already. A definite must for fans of emo and indie rock!

Website

Bandcamp

Purchase

Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) - Middle Discography(2011)

Raw Nerve-Midnight EP (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: Hardcore, Punk

Label: Youth Attack

Tracks: 8

Chicago, IL's Raw Nerve return with their most ambitious outing yet, an 8-song EP depicting human involvement as a thin fabric of insecurities sewn by the incapable and the bitter. This is the band at their most prolific, expanding their sound into a jarring implosion of balance and tension. (Youth Attack description)*Damn, Raw Nerve continue with their venomous and hateful onslaught of brutal hardcore and have upped the ante with their latest EP. The eight songs blur by in an instant and leave the listener feeling beaten, bruised, and violated. By far, this is Raw Nerve's best material to date. Unfortunately, Midnight was limited to 500 copies and sold out quicker than a lobbyist for a major oil corporation. Great stuff. Highly recommended!

*New Link. Higher quality rip. Thanks Nico!!!

Raw Nerve on Blogspot

Purchase: Sold Out

Raw Nerve - Midnight - 2011

Naysayer-Laid To Rest LP (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: Hardcore, Punk

Label: Reaper Records

Tracks: 11

Hell yes. Here's another release I was waiting to see hit the web and was definitely not let down by what I heard. Naysayer are a Richmond, VA based band who play a rough and tumble style of hardcore/punk that draws their influences from bands as varied as Warzone, Cro-Mags, and No Warning, to bands such as Dixie-era Avail to more modern sounding bands such as The Banner, Give Up The Ghost, and Suicide File. The end result is 11 songs of straightforward hardcore/punk that's sure to please fans of Bracewar, Foundation, Ritual, and Midnight Souls. Great stuff. Enjoy!

Naysayer on Tumblr

Purchase

Naysayer-Laid to rest LP (2011)

Zudas Krust._.Matanza y muerte masiva(2008)

Country: Indonesia

Year: 2008

Genre: dbeat,Crust

Tracks: 8

Label: Reset not equal zero

Zudas Krust started on the spring of 2008, with the line up: Erms as sang, Jarwoitus as kitara, and Sances666 as tremor. On March of 2008, they giving out free demo, “Raw Demo” during their shows. But not so long after that, Agipunx joined the band as a bassist. On June of 2008, Erms left the band, and changed the line-up to: Jarwoitus on bass and vocals, Agipunx on guitars, and Sances666 on drums.

Myspace

LastFM

Pucharse

Donwload

Inu - Hacia El Abismo (2011)

Country: Spain
Genre: Hardcore Punk, Crust
Label: DIY
Tracks: 10
Lenght: 25'

After a 12" split released last year with an indonesian band called Kroia, "Hacia el Abismo" is the first full-lenght album from Inu. They are nothing more than four friends hailing from A Coruña who grown up dancing to the beat bands like Ekkaia, Nashgul or Madame Germen brought in the last decade, some of them took part in projects like Blünt or Das Plague gaining some recognition all over the european DIY hardcore punk scene.

Hacia el Abismo is hardcore punk with japanese roots alike bands as Crude or Selfish but with a nice dose of heavy metal riffeage, some aspects like the drum work and the four voices are also remarkable. This sophomore effort will be released in some DIY labels like Grita o Muere.

Inu on Bandcamp (Download)

(band request)

Poney - Seamyth (2010)

Country: USA
Genre: Stoner, Punk Rock, Progressive.
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 13
Lenght: 70'

Poney is a progressive stonery hardcore group founded in 2005 in central Wisconsin and led by Ben Brooks, who has been involved in a variety of Wisconsin underground acts including The Dead Hookers (Dead Beat Records,) Uncle Bob Drives a Combine (Gilead Media,) and the currently active ROMERO (GRINDCORE KARAOKE RECORDS). They've recently returned from a 16 show tour out to Seattle / Portland and back in support of their new full length, "Seamyth," alongside Romero. The album has received positive reviews both nationally and internationally, and the band has been building a solid underground following based on their insane live shows. They've shared the stage with seasoned acts like Rosetta, Century, Heavyheavylowlow, Triclops, Mose Giganticus, Polkadot Cadaver, After the Burial, and Born of Osiris, among many others.

Poney on Bandcamp
Poney on Facebook
Poney - Seamyth (2010)

(band request)

Smash Detox - Self Titled 7inch (2011)

Country: USA / Japan
Genre:Hardcore, Punk.
Label: Prank Records, HG Fact Records
Tracks: 2
Lenght: 5'

A remarkable cross border collaboration, SMASH DETOX is ISHIYA (FORWARD), SOUICHI (FORWARD), MUKAI (JUDGEMENT), ZAC (WORLD BURNS TO DEATH,) IIZAWA (TETSU AREI) and ANDREA.Two powerful songs - "Shanguri-La" and " Like water" that take elements of the intense hardcore sounds of each of their classic Japanese and American Hardcore bands, but combined to a new and unique whole. Created with intense focus and effort, this recalls many of the classic definitive HG FACT two track EP's that defined the Tokyo punk sound of the late 90's and early 00's, but also has the unmistakable mark of Texas Powerhouse hardcore. Initially recorded and mixed at Toyko's OUR HOUSE studio, Guest Vocal by JACK CONTROL (WORLD BURNS TO DEATH). Split release with HG FACT. Pocket sleeve with insert.

Smash Detox on Facebook
Purchase
Smash Detox - Self Titled 7inch (2011)

(band request)

Circle Takes The Square-Decompressions, Vol. I:Rites Of Initiation EP (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: Hardcore, punk, grindcore

Label: Gatepost Recordings

Tracks: 4

Hell yes. At long last, Circle Takes The Square are set to release their highly anticipated follow-up to 2004's The Roots Undo. To put it simply, Circle Takes The Square are one of the best experimental hardcore bands in the scene today. The four songs on Rites Of Initiation will pummel you senseless leave you wanting more. I was psyched to finally see this on the web. Damn, I can't believe it's been seven years since The Roots Undo was released. Check it out and get schooled!

Circle Takes the Square on Bandcamp

Circle Takes The Square-Rites of Initiation (2011)

The Hollow-I, Destroyer LP (2011)

Country: Australia

Genre: Hardcore, Punk

Label: Dead Souls Records

Tracks: 12

I recently saw The Hollow posted on several blogs and decided to download and give these guys a listen. The Hollow are an Australian based band who play a great style of blackened and metallic hardcore/punk that's a must listen for fans of Rise And Fall, Cursed, Baptists, and fellow countrymen Ghost Towns. The twelve songs on I, Destroyer are punishing and brutal as f**k. Great stuff. I also included The Hollow's self titled EP for you to check out as well, which was originally released in 2009. Great stuff. Enjoy!

The Hollow on Facebook

Purchase

The Hollow - I Destroyer (2011)

The Hollow -S/T(2009)

War Hungry-S/T LP (2011)

Country: USA
Genre: Hardcore, punk, d-beat
Label: Six Feet Under Records
Tracks: 9

War Hungry are an Eastern Pennsylvania based band who play an intense style of crust influenced, d-beat heavy hardcore/punk that puts a modern spin on music played by Tragedy, His Hero Is Gone, and From Ashes rise. War Cry put a modern spin on this genre of music adding a dose of brutality played by current heavyweights Nails, Enabler, Weekend Nachos, and Harm's Way. Great stuff. Enjoy!

*New Link from original vinyl download coupon.

Purchase: Six Feet Under Records

War Hungry on Myspace
War Hungry-ST LP (2011)
War Hungry-Divine & Demonic EP

Griever-Inferior 10" (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: Hardcore, punk, posthardcore

Label: Vitriol Records

Tracks: 4

This is the first release from the San Diego area's Griever. Former members of Lewd Acts take on a new direction of sometimes drony, sometimes sludgy, but always melodic and well put together. This is 4 songs, equating to a solid 20 minutes of awesome music. I was psyched to finally see this on the web. Great music for fans of Furnace, Relics, Lewd Acts, and Rise and Fall. Highly recommended. Enjoy.

Griever on Bandcamp

PurchaseVitriol Records

Griever - Inferior (2010)

Punch-Nothing Lasts 7" (2011)

Country: USA
Genre: Hardcore, punk, thrash, d-beat
Label: Deathwish, Inc.
Tracks: 7

The influences on "Nothing Lasts" are as varied as the five members' musical backgrounds, spending time in bands as diverse as Doppelganger, Loma Prieta and Bullets In. From thrash to D-beat to straight up youth crew, Punch recombines all of these genres to create something all their own without ever being forced or cheesy. "Nothing Lasts" is a slightly more introspective release for the band which lyrically and musically explores active nihilism - the idea that it is better to actively break down your walls and change yourself rather than to sit around and wait for the world to spoon feed you. 7" includes digital download. 7" includes digital download. This is Punch's debut 7" for deathwish. Definitely a must for fans of Comadre, Loma Prieta, and Oathbreaker.

Purchase:Deathwish Inc

Punch on Myspace
Punch-Nothing_Lasts_E.P (2011)

Lady Piss - Streaming EP (2011)

Country: USA
Genre:Noise Rock, New Wave, Punk
Label: Sympathizer
Tracks: 6
Lenght: 20'

Baltimore has seen plenty of love from me on the blog over the years with bands like Double Dagger, The New Flesh, Thank You, and so on. However, I believe it’s been awhile since I’ve touched upon anything coming out of the city, but alas that changed with this EP from Lady Piss who after seeing their name pop up in a couple different reliable spots moved me to check them out. Taking a few cues from the sadly defunct Philly outfit Clockcleaner, Lady Piss look to explore a similar dark and scum riddled variety of post-punk on what I am going to assume is their debut EP Streaming. Also, word of advice if you’re looking this up, be very careful in your choices of Google search results. The combination of the words lady, piss, and streaming don’t exactly bring back pleasant ones. Unless of course you’re into that, then it’s a win-win. But yeah, Lady Piss seem to lay back from the creep mode some in favor of a bit more straight on aggro mid-90′s noise-rock type vibe. The songs are there on Streaming and in fact they are actually a bit more tuneful than one might suspect, rather than overbearing the listener with inordinate amounts of needless noise. Songs like “Absence of Sunlight” and “Never Come Back” have some serious hooks believe it or not; allowing them to curb some of the criticism that would come their way of being merely a clone of bands before them. Still some room to grow, however…this EP is a damn fine place to start. - Built on a Weak Spot

The Baltimore band are making their first foray up to the NYC area, on a tour that also includes a show at the Charleston in Williamsburg on Saturday. Comparisons have been made between Lady Piss and the Jesus Lizard, and their lineup includes former members of Triac, Fight Amp, Dactyl, Carrion, and Flowers in the Attic.

Lady Piss on Bandcamp
Purchase #1 #2
Lady Piss - Streaming EP (2011)

The Swan King-The Good Deeds EP (2009)

Country: USA

Genre: Posthardcore, Stoner Rock, Metal

Label: Seventh Rule

Tracks: 5

The Swan King formed in 2009 by guitarist/vocalist Dallas Thomas (ex-Asschapel), bassist Jamie Drier (ex-Planes Mistaken For Stars) and Chicago native Zafar Musharraf on drums. When the band began, the trio started writing songs in the Robert Fripp Guitar Craft tuning to help them break out of the old rock comfort zone. They have often been compared to the songwriting of the Wipers mixed with the noisyness of bands on the Amphetamine Reptile label. Highly recommended. Amazing stuff! Enjoy! I also included The Swan King's debut LP Eyes Like Knives originally posted by Eraser earlier this year.

The Swan King on Bandcamp

Purchase

The Swan King-The Good Deeds EP (2009)

The Swan King - Eyes Like Knives (2011)

Merkit-Discography (2009)

Country: USA

Genre: Hardcore/punk
Label: IFB Records
Tracks: 38

Merkit were a Florida based band who played a scathing and venomous style of metallic hardcore and punk that's intense and passionate as hell. The thirty eight songs on this discography compiles all of Merkit's recorded output. Definitely a must for fans of Resurrectionists, Trainwreck, and The Holy Mountain. Great stuff. On a side note, Nevin from IFB records played in this band. Highly recommended! Enjoy!

Merkit Website
IFB Records Blog
Purchase:IFB Records
Merkit-Discography (2009)

Infame._.III(2011)

Country: Spain

Genre: japcore, hardcore, punk

Year: 2011

Label: D.I.Y

Tracks: 5

Lenght: 12´

En un contexto repleto de revivals tan amigo de sacralizar bandas "clásicas" por el mero hecho de haber aparecido en los 80´s - 90 ´s a la vez que ningunea a tantas y tantas de actuales, resulta higiénico y necesario reivindicar a grupos como Infame.

Impecabes en lo instrumental -bastante por encima de la media- y con un auténtico hacha a las seis cuerdas repartiendo riffs como pocas, muy pocas veces podrás escuchar en bandas similares. Si bien la mayoría de temas están ladrados a dos voces, al Robertinho hay que darle de comer a parte. Con la voz siempre al límite, sin caer en lo gutural, transmite como pocos esa sensación de que cada palabra que escupe puede ser la última, cargando a los temas de un aire dramático que redondea el trabajo de toda la banda. Lástima que el cabrón no vocalice una mierda, porque las letras que he podido leer de su anterior LP son más que recomendables. Repartiendo con criterio y con brillantes retales de lírica (Desconcertada).Ésta tropa de Barcelona no sólo práctica un punk-hardcore (depende del material ) de alto octanaje sino que además dá sopas con honda a mucho apalancado en el altar de la escena patria.

Definidos (auto-definidos) como d-beat o hardcore de influencia japonesa-escandinava, éste "III" me resulta algo alejado de esas etiquetas; mucho más musical, producido y trabajado que su anterior "II" (2009). Incluso con algunos aires metálicos y por encima de todo, un Ep de referencia para la escena actual. PunkeXpress

Bandcamp

Download

Crow's Foot-S/T 10" (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Crust

Label: IFB Records

Tracks: 4

Crow's Foot hails from Clearwater FL. These young punks take the blazing sound of bands like Bread and Water or Ballast, but add the passionate intensity of mid 90's anarcho/emo bands from France like Anomie. Raw anger mixed with a sense that we really could change things. This is the perfect answer to today's apolitical punk. 4 songs of rage and hope housed in a screenprinted and sewn handmade jacket with a nice booklet with lyrics/writing and Spanish translations. This is another incredible release from IFB records. Check out the label and order some damn records. Nevin, who runs the label is mad cool and the label is a great place to order harder to find European releases and is a mecca for React with Protest releases. I blew a paycheck at IFB about a month ago and was able to get releases by Lentic Waters, Resurrectionists, Titan, Battle Of Wolf 359, Crow's Foot, and Panzaram. Check out his blog as well. Lots of great stuff up for download there as well. Getting back to the Crow's Foot 10", great release for fans of Tragedy, Alphinist, Brainoil, and Skin Like Iron. The mp3s for this release are 4 songs broken down into 3 mp3s. I also included Crow's Foot Manifest EP for you to check out as well. Enjoy!

IFB Records (blog)

Purchase:IFB Records

Crow's Foot-ST 10 in

Crow's Foot-Manifest EP

Mad Anthony/The Yellowbelts-Split 7" (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: rock,garage, punk

Label: Xmas cactus records

Tracks: 2

Wow. This 7" is killer. Mad Anthony are a Cincinnati, OH based band who play a sweet style of Punk and garage rock that channels the swagger and snottiness of The Icarus Line and adds the sonic dissonance of bands like Hot Snakes and Rocket From The Crypt (Minus the horn section). Mad Anthony are a must for fans of Obits, Hot Snakes, and The Icarus Line. The second band on the 7" is The Yellow Belts. The Yellow Belts are a Lexington, KY based band who also play punk/garage rock. The main thing that stuck out for me about The Yellowbelts is that they take the "Louisville" sound made popular by bands such as Young Widows and add a Drive Like Jehu vibe to the mix, with great results. The Yellowbelts are a must for fans of Young Widows, Drive Like Jehu, and Trophy Wives. Great 7" guys! I also included Mad Anthony's self titled EP released in 2008 for you to check out as well. Great stuff!

(Band request)

Mad Anthony BandCamp

The Yellowbelts BandCamp

Pucharse

Mad Anthony._.Ep(2008)

Mad Anthony/ The Yellowbelts._.split(2011)

Seesaw-Things Are Bad LP (2011)

Country: Italy

Genre: Hardcore, Punk, Screamo

Label: Self Released

Tracks: 10

Seesaw are a Milan, Italy based band who play a great style of hardcore, punk, and screamo that incorporates elements of 90's ebullition style emotive hardcore/punk mixed with early 2000's level plane type screamo. Completing the package, Seesaw pays homage to fellow countrymen La Quiete and Raein. This combination of sounds makes for a killer release. The 10 songs on Things are bad are a must listen for fans of Bread And Circuits, Yaphett Kotto, Hot Cross, Bullets In, Portraits Of Past, Raein, and La Quiete. Great stuff. Enjoy! (Band Request)

Seesaw - Bandcamp

Facebook

Seesaw - Things Are Bad (2011)

Black Haven-Harmbringer LP (2011)

Country: Belgium

Genre: Hardcore, punk, crust

Label: Hypertension Records

Tracks: 11

Black Haven are a Ghent, Belgium based band who play a stark, metallic, crust-laden style of music that has influences ranging from bands like His Hero Is Gone, and Tragedy to more modern sounding bands such as Cursed and Baptists. Black Haven also add touches of modern hardcore played by bands such as Rise And Fall or Oathbreaker. Harmbringer's debut full-length entitled Harmbringer pummels the senses, rendering the listener speechless and wanting more. Overall, this album kicks ass on so many different levels. Seriously, Black Haven are at the same caliber of bands such Planks, Alphinist, Drainland, and Bacchus. I also included Black Haven's 2007 EP entitled The Cleansing Storm for you to check out as well.

Black Haven on Myspace
Purchase:Hypertension Records
////////////////////////

Black Haven - Harmbringer (2011)
Black Haven - The Cleansing Storm (2007)

Mala In Se-S/T (2010)

Country: USA

Genre: Post-punk, noise rock, math rock, thrash

Label: Phratry Records

Tracks: 7

Damn, this band totally kills. Mala In Se are a Cincinnati, OH based band who play blasting/ spastic noisecore that brings to mind bands such as Swing Kids, Majority Rule, and Pg. 99 mixed with European bands such as Lack or old Jr. Ewing. The end result is a noisy, messy and discordant style of music that incorporates post-punk, thrash, noise, and math-rock into a whiling dervish of chaos and destruction . Mala In Se's debut album is incredible. Highly recommended! Enjoy!

Mala In Se on Bandcamp

Purchase

Mala In Se - ST (2010)

Brainoil-Death Of This Dry Season LP (2011)

Country: USA
Genre: Hardcore, Sludge, Crust, Punk
Label: 20 Buck Spin
Tracks: 7

It has been eight long years since Oakland’s Brainoil released their first self-titled LP via Life Is Abuse way back in 2003. At that time the band’s combination of crushingly oppressive but up-tempo sludge and Oakland hardcore punk was well regarded in the underground and saw the band tour both domestically and abroad. Subsequently the band’s three members, Greg, Ira and Nate, all drifted toward their myriad other projects and Brainoil, though not officially dead, were essentially put on ice.

The band regrouped slowly over these last few years and it has resulted in Brainoil’s first batch of tunes for the new decade. Death Of This Dry Season picks up the furious hardcore sludge sound that Brainoil is well known for as though they’d never left. A little older and a little wiser (?), Death Of This Dry Season is a short, sharp shock of intense aural battery, conceivably like an amalgamation of other ugly sounding Bay Area stalwarts such as Abscess, El Dopa and Black Cobra, yet never sounding enough like anyone else to pinpoint a direct influence. This sound can only be named Brainoil.

*Brainoil is an incredibly underappreciated Band. I included their self titled 2003 LP as well. Great stuff. Enjoy!

Brainoil on Facebook
Purchase:20 BUCK SPIN
/////////////////////////////
Brainoil - Death Of This Dry Season (2011) (fixed)
Brainoil -S/T (2003)

Big Business-Quadruple Single 12" (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: posthadcore, sludge, noise rock

Label: Gold Metal Records

Tracks: 4

Big Business is bigger and better than ever, with better hair, bigger hits, and the kind of overwhelming Norman Schwarzkopf-style force that rolls like thunder, stings like a missile, and—above all—takes no shit. Now a four-piece (adding another guitar player), this record is a four track rumbler delivered on their own label. The vinyl-only release comes out just in time for their tour with Torche when they aren't doing that other band they are in called The Melvins. This is just what you'd expect from Big Business. 4 new songs that are sure to destroy your subwoofers. Big Business. Need I say more.

Myspace

Purchase

Download

Braid-Closer To Closed 12" (2011)

Country: USA

Genre: Indie rock, emo

Label: Polyvinyl

Tracks: 4

From 1993 to 1997, as Braid carved out its musical niche, the pages of the band's history were filled with endless lists of shows played, 7"s recorded and followers gained. Then, a year after the release of 1998's "Frame And Canvas" - a genre-defining album that continues to serve as an influence for countless musicians to this day - Braid disbanded at the height of its popularity. Fast forward a decade where it took only a few practices to write three new tracks and arrange a cover (of Jeff Hanson's "You Are The Reason"), all of which the band then recorded with engineer J. Robbins (Jawbreaker, The Promise Ring, Jets To Brazil, "Frame And Canvas").

Last FM

Purchase

Download