Fourth studio album and their first in five years for Shai Hulud that sees them team up with original singer Chad Gilbert who not only handles production duties but also steps back into the frontman role as well. Imediately one is going to draw comparisons to their landmark debut release ''Hearts Once Nourished with Hope and Compassion", but in reality it would be near impossible for any band to replicate that piece of brilliance. While Gilbert's vocals sound not too different to what you would expect, the songwriting just doesn't have the same appeal and catchiness. But by no means is this a flop, this is far better than previous effort "Misanthropy Pure". Grows more with each listen.
New band featuring current and ex members of Persist, A Silent Fiction, Worlds Apart and Civil War playing melodic punk rock out of Newcastle. Four songs on offer on this demo with Civil War bassplayer Mark Beaven shifting to the mic to handle vocals. Muscially the approach here is really cool, fast and melodic kind of like Lifetime or locally more akin to what Headaches are doing perhaps. Vocally this does take some digesting, as the delivery and phrasing is probably a little mismatched to what you would be first expecting to hear. Having said that it does grow on you with each listen. Click here to download yourself a copy.
The two year wait between the release of their demo and these ten new songs has been worth it for Sydney's Vigilante. Drawing on a wide array of traditional NYHC sounding bands, Vigilante mix the intensity of Breakdown with the guitar licks of Warzone and the social justice themes of Agnostic Front to create their own unique approach that is sure to please any hardcore purist. They redo the track "Eliminated" off the Split Scene comp and even throw in an Altercation cover of "Vigilante Song" and surprise you before its all over. While it may be a little early for a "Local Release Of The Year" call, you probably won't hear a better song than "Fear Of Change" in the next 10 months.
Debut four track 7inch out of Melbourne for this five piece thrash band who sound like golden era Slayer or Testament mixed with modern day Municipal Waste. There is some seriously tech shredding on show here in these four songs and had this band been around in the 80s they would have risen straight to the top of the Australian metal scene. All the classic ingredients are on display, double kick drumming, blistering solos, evil vocals and neck breaking riffage. If you're a traditional head banging, thrash fan this will no doubt appeal to you. Looking forward to more from these guys in the future. Copies of this 7 inch are only limited to a press of 250, so don't snooze on this one.
Perth melodic punk rock five piece, Burning Fiction deliver their third release to date in that of a new 6 song 10inch. When I threw this record on for the first listen, I immediately thought of Irrelevant, as these songs have a comparable structure and delivery to them. Sadly not many bands are pursuing this sort of sound of late, feeling the need to over compensate with guitar wankery or heavier parts. BF keep things predictable and there are no cringe worthy surprises or experiements that pop up.The sound of this record is a little bit raw around the edges at times which adds to the appeal, rather than pursuing the common prcatice of over production. If you like solid melodic punk rock then give this a listen.
There is definitely something in the water of Richmond Virginia. Latest amazing export is Iron Reagan made up of Municipal Waste singer Tony Foresta and Landphil making the switch from bass to guitar along with two former members of Darkest Hour. Landphil's shredding abilities are really nothing short of amazing. While this sounds somewhat like a MW record and there is still that unmistakeable 80's crossover DRI style, the most noticable difference is that the lyrical content is a lot more serious in nature. Even with nineteen songs in total, this album passes by in a flash as most songs barely break the 1.5 minute mark. This far exceeds the demo they released and will impress any MW fan who wished their message was a little more serious.
Sydney band Relentless return with their second full length album, the follow up to "Set In Stone" boasting 11 new songs. Production was handled by Terror drummer Nick Jett who has helped add a new dimension in layers mixing up the band's sound with more guitar tracks and leads. This is by far and above the best release to date from Relentless, not only in production, but also song writing too. Its hard not to draw comparisons between Terror or Trapped Under Ice, but by no means is this a poor man's version of the aforementioned. This is a real solid, awesome, world class release that will no doubt put these guys on the international hardcore map.
Twelve new tracks from Hatebreed, their first new album since their self titled effort in 2009, with a covers album released in 2010. No prizes for guessing how this musically sounds, not much ever changes in that department, but surprisingly there a few vocal variations however, with the odd shot of melodic backing vocal to break up the monotony. Lyrically though this is so incredibly cheesy. Its almost like they wrote an album for their Ultimate Fighting fanbase, and one can already forsee the influence of terrible script tattoos it will create. Fist pumping anthems a plenty, sure to please any fan of the band who knows what they are after as they will not be disappointed.
Re-release of the debut album from Masked Intruder by Fat Wreck that originally appeared on the Red Scare label. Masked Intruder have that Screeching Weasel influenced 90s pop punk sound, very much along the lines of Teen Idols, The Queers or Teenage Bottlerocket. Vocals are noticeably a lot higher in pitch than the bands just mentioned, but sit well with the music, kind of like Bracket perhaps? These thirteen tracks have that infectious foot tapping vibe to them from the first listen and this release slots in perfectly to the 90s golden era of Fat Wreck.
New ten track, solo album from former Husker Du and Sugar frontman Bob Mould coupled with a backing band that also features the drummer from Superchunk. Bob has ditched his electronic phase and returned to his roots, playing a noisy, fuzzy poppy style. Straight off the bat this has me hooked, sounding like a mix between the pace of later era Husker Du with the melodic hooks and catchiness one has come to expect from a Sugar release. Some really well crafted and structured tracks that have that familiarity to them by the second listen. Some great layered backing vocals that really add to the whole production. Not real sure why I was so hesitant to give this a listen.
Fourth studio album and their first in five years for Shai Hulud that sees them team up with original singer Chad Gilbert who not only handles production duties but also steps back into the frontman role as well. Imediately one is going to draw comparisons to their landmark debut release ''Hearts Once Nourished with Hope and Compassion", but in reality it would be near impossible for any band to replicate that piece of brilliance. While Gilbert's vocals sound not too different to what you would expect, the songwriting just doesn't have the same appeal and catchiness. But by no means is this a flop, this is far better than previous effort "Misanthropy Pure". Grows more with each listen.
New band featuring current and ex members of Persist, A Silent Fiction, Worlds Apart and Civil War playing melodic punk rock out of Newcastle. Four songs on offer on this demo with Civil War bassplayer Mark Beaven shifting to the mic to handle vocals. Muscially the approach here is really cool, fast and melodic kind of like Lifetime or locally more akin to what Headaches are doing perhaps. Vocally this does take some digesting, as the delivery and phrasing is probably a little mismatched to what you would be first expecting to hear. Having said that it does grow on you with each listen. Click 
The two year wait between the release of their demo and these ten new songs has been worth it for Sydney's Vigilante. Drawing on a wide array of traditional NYHC sounding bands, Vigilante mix the intensity of Breakdown with the guitar licks of Warzone and the social justice themes of Agnostic Front to create their own unique approach that is sure to please any hardcore purist. They redo the track "Eliminated" off the Split Scene comp and even throw in an Altercation cover of "Vigilante Song" and surprise you before its all over. While it may be a little early for a "Local Release Of The Year" call, you probably won't hear a better song than "Fear Of Change" in the next 10 months.
Debut four track 7inch out of Melbourne for this five piece thrash band who sound like golden era Slayer or Testament mixed with modern day Municipal Waste. There is some seriously tech shredding on show here in these four songs and had this band been around in the 80s they would have risen straight to the top of the Australian metal scene. All the classic ingredients are on display, double kick drumming, blistering solos, evil vocals and neck breaking riffage. If you're a traditional head banging, thrash fan this will no doubt appeal to you. Looking forward to more from these guys in the future. Copies of this 7 inch are only limited to a press of 250, so don't snooze on this one.
Perth melodic punk rock five piece, Burning Fiction deliver their third release to date in that of a new 6 song 10inch. When I threw this record on for the first listen, I immediately thought of Irrelevant, as these songs have a comparable structure and delivery to them. Sadly not many bands are pursuing this sort of sound of late, feeling the need to over compensate with guitar wankery or heavier parts. BF keep things predictable and there are no cringe worthy surprises or experiements that pop up.The sound of this record is a little bit raw around the edges at times which adds to the appeal, rather than pursuing the common prcatice of over production. If you like solid melodic punk rock then give this a listen.
There is definitely something in the water of Richmond Virginia. Latest amazing export is Iron Reagan made up of Municipal Waste singer Tony Foresta and Landphil making the switch from bass to guitar along with two former members of Darkest Hour. Landphil's shredding abilities are really nothing short of amazing. While this sounds somewhat like a MW record and there is still that unmistakeable 80's crossover DRI style, the most noticable difference is that the lyrical content is a lot more serious in nature. Even with nineteen songs in total, this album passes by in a flash as most songs barely break the 1.5 minute mark. This far exceeds the demo they released and will impress any MW fan who wished their message was a little more serious.
Sydney band Relentless return with their second full length album, the follow up to "Set In Stone" boasting 11 new songs. Production was handled by Terror drummer Nick Jett who has helped add a new dimension in layers mixing up the band's sound with more guitar tracks and leads. This is by far and above the best release to date from Relentless, not only in production, but also song writing too. Its hard not to draw comparisons between Terror or Trapped Under Ice, but by no means is this a poor man's version of the aforementioned. This is a real solid, awesome, world class release that will no doubt put these guys on the international hardcore map.
Twelve new tracks from Hatebreed, their first new album since their self titled effort in 2009, with a covers album released in 2010. No prizes for guessing how this musically sounds, not much ever changes in that department, but surprisingly there a few vocal variations however, with the odd shot of melodic backing vocal to break up the monotony. Lyrically though this is so incredibly cheesy. Its almost like they wrote an album for their Ultimate Fighting fanbase, and one can already forsee the influence of terrible script tattoos it will create. Fist pumping anthems a plenty, sure to please any fan of the band who knows what they are after as they will not be disappointed.
Re-release of the debut album from Masked Intruder by Fat Wreck that originally appeared on the Red Scare label. Masked Intruder have that Screeching Weasel influenced 90s pop punk sound, very much along the lines of Teen Idols, The Queers or Teenage Bottlerocket. Vocals are noticeably a lot higher in pitch than the bands just mentioned, but sit well with the music, kind of like Bracket perhaps? These thirteen tracks have that infectious foot tapping vibe to them from the first listen and this release slots in perfectly to the 90s golden era of Fat Wreck.
New ten track, solo album from former Husker Du and Sugar frontman Bob Mould coupled with a backing band that also features the drummer from Superchunk. Bob has ditched his electronic phase and returned to his roots, playing a noisy, fuzzy poppy style. Straight off the bat this has me hooked, sounding like a mix between the pace of later era Husker Du with the melodic hooks and catchiness one has come to expect from a Sugar release. Some really well crafted and structured tracks that have that familiarity to them by the second listen. Some great layered backing vocals that really add to the whole production. Not real sure why I was so hesitant to give this a listen.