Ecocide - Self Titled (2011)

From last.fm:


"Down-tuned and distorted seismic emanations originating at the earth’s core. This sonically epic and benevolent force has been documented on one demo cdr (2007) and one vinyl lp (2011)."


IT'S ABOUT FUCKING TIME ECOCIDE HAVE RELEASED SOMETHING OTHER THAN THAT SHITTY RAW DEMO! Nah, it wasn't that bad but the production was SO bad that it made it pretty much unlistenable to most people's standards. Now that four years have passed, Ecocide has FINALLY put out another release. This 5-piece female fronted apocalyptic crust band from Texas really take todays crust to a new level. If you're familiar with bands like Agirmonia, Morne, and Dead To A Dying World, you're going to LOVE Ecocide. They have that really downtempo, dark, and depressing sound that just sounds so fucking satanical. The first track starts out with a 5 minute instrumental that is pretty much giving you a sneak pick of what the album is going to provide instrumental wise. Static, the next track, is a 9 minute melodic as FUCK song  that best displays their musical talent. The vocals kick in and it's like you're in hell. The female's vocalist is just pulverizing on your ears and the when the dual vocals kick in... YEAH, ABOUT THOSE DUAL VOCALS. Probably some of the most guttural male vocals I have EVER heard. If you're noticing a bit of a blackened sound you're not alone. Sure, they may not have raw blast beats, but there is some slight tremelo picking that adds to that black metal feel. Half way into the song it switches to some piano and spoken word. I don't know about you but I think the more experimental and different uses of instruments and samples the better. The last two tracks really make use of the cello. It sounds like to me there is some kind of Middle Eastern or Western Asia influence with some stoner metal-esque riffs. It almost kind of sounds like Al-Thawra or something. Bagpipes maybe? I don't know but whatever it is it just adds to that melodicness and makes the band all the more mysterious with their music. This is about my fifth time listening to this album and I seriously can't get enough of it. A big thanks to my pal Ike for purchasing this album and making it accessible for you all. Without a doubt one of the better crust releases this year along with Dead To A Dying World's self titled album and Parasytic's Poison Minds. The pre-order for this album should be soon up either at Bad People Records, Burnt Bridges Records, or possibly from their bandcamp.

There's a studio version of it on youtube but I really this version a lot more. 

Download HERE

Set Foot - Aging (2008)

From last.fm:

"WE’RE VERY ORIGINAL. WE DO NOT FIT COMFORTABLY INTO ANY GENRE. BY COMBINING ELEMENTS OF MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF MUSIC, WE HAVE FORGED A SOUND THAT IS ALL OUR OWN. WE HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. A WHILE AGO, WE RECORDED A DEMO THAT BECAME VERY POPULAR AMONG OUR FRIENDS. THEN WE PLAYED A SHOW WITH A BAND THAT WAS WAY BETTER THAN US. WE BECAME BETTER BY DEFAULT. OUR STAGE SHOW PROMISES TO DELIVER. WE JUMP AROUND AND DANCE AND SOMETIMES PLAY OUR INSTRUMENTS. OUR EQUIPMENT IS FAIRLY EXPENSIVE. WITH SO MUCH GOING FOR US, YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE MORE OF OUR BAND IN THE FUTURE. WE WILL BE MAKING A SPLASH IN THE VANCOUVER SCENE. BECAUSE WE ARE SO GOOD. WE ARE VERY MODEST, THOUGH."

TO GET IN THE SPIRIT OF SET FOOT AND TO MOCK THIS LAST.FM BEING TYPED THIS WAY, I'M GOING TO DO THIS ENTIRE REVIEW IN ALL CAPS. FEEL FREE TO NOT DOWNLOAD THIS BECAUSE OF MY IDIOTIC WAYS. BUT NO SERIOUSLY, DOWNLOAD THIS SHIT. SET FOOT STRAY AWAY FROM THAT POSI-HARDCORE SHIT AND GO FOR A BIT SOMETHING MORE AGGRESSIVE WHICH IS PRETTY MUCH UNKNOWN TO ALL THOSE OPTIMISTS OUT IN IN VANCOUVER. IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH PULLING TEETH THEN YOU'LL PROBABLY CLOSELY RELATED TO THIS BAND SEEING AS HOW THEY INCORPORATE A SHIT TON OF METALLIC, THRASHY RIFFS TO PUMMEL YOUR EARS WITH BLOCKADES OF SOUND AND ANGER WHICH CAN ALSO BE VERY MELODIC AT TIMES. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU BE I LOVE PROMINENT BASSLINES AND SET FOOT HAS SOME OF THE SICKEST BASSLINES YOU EARS WILL EVER BE LAYED UPON. FUCK YEAH! THE LYRICS AREN'T TOO DEEP BUT THEY'LL DEFINITELY MAKE YOU THINK ABOUT THAT SPECIAL PERSON THAT YOU THOUGHT WAS "THE ONE", CALL THEM UP DRUNK, AND BARRAGE THEM WITH A BUNCH OF INSULTS ONLY TO END IN  YOU OBLITERATING YOUR PHONE TO PIECES. IF TYPING IN CAPS DOESN'T GET YOU PUMPED UP TO LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM THEN MAYBE A PUNCH IN THE FACE WILL. NAH, JUST KIDDING. GET THIS ALBUM THOUGH THOUGH, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE A FAN OF MODERN HARDCORE AND HOLY TERROR-ESQUE STUFF!

Download HERE

Broken Oath - Given Half A Chance (2007)

From last.fm:


"Broken Oath formed in Glasgow/Scotland (UK) in 2001, after several minor lineup changes their first demo was self released. Limited to 300 copies this sold out fast!More lineup changes followed as well as extensive touring of the UK. The now settled lineup released a split CD (What lies ahead) with Peterborough band Eviscerate AD. The release of this CD on Unity Worldwide Recordings saw the band hit mainland Europe for the first time.The band was asked by Rucktion Records to record a new CD. Blood Cleanse the Streets was the result. This CD, accompanied by wider European distribution saw Broken Oath reaching out to many new fans. A European tour with Bristol band Burning Skies followed. Appearances at both Filled With Hate Fest 2006 and BFLBU fest 2006 capped a successful period in the band’s history. Unfortunately Broken Oath split up in 2008."


Broken Oath are a metalcore band hailing from Glasgow/Scotland. BO don't seem to cut corners and pretty much give you that straight forward non-bullshit hardcore that we all know and love. When you first listen to this album you'll notice that their style of hardcore is a bit different. They play a much more aggressive style, their breakdowns tend to be long and drawn out, and the vocals tend to be very guttural. This is also known as beatdown. As the name hints, it's pretty much the hardest version of hardcore which would essentially be "music you would beatdown people to". For some reason this style of hardcore seems to be pretty popular in UK and Australia for some reason. Those who are looking to get into beatdown should definitely check out Brutality Will Prevail. I don't listen to much of it but they're probably my favorite band to come from it. With that being said, if you like them then you'll have no problem liking Broken Oath too.

Download HERE

Gridlink - Orphan (2011)

From last.fm:


"A five piece formed in Hoboken, New Jersey. Plays technical blistering grindcore. Has members of Discordance Axis, Mortalized, Hayaino Daisuki, Burnt by the Sun, Human Remains, Noisear, Kill the Client, and Phobia as well as many other bands."


The LEGENDARY grindcore band Gridlink is BACK with a 2011 release entitled Orphan. It only took them what? Three years to make an album? Nothing wrong with that though because when you put out a ridiculously fucking crazy album like Orphan all that hard work pays off. Seriously though, this album fucking R U L E S hands down. This supergroup comprised of members from influential grindcore bands have all banded together to pump out an original as fuck sound. If you're familiar with Amber Gray then you know how their style is. It's strange to hear these kind of sounds coming from a guitar. Not strange really, just unreal. The guitar work is just so technical, fast, and on time. I can only imagine how hard the drummer and vocalists are working to keep up with it. I couldn't scream/squeal/growl my fucking heart out to save my LIFE just to imitate them my GOD are they so good. I just feel so violated listening to this album because how could I expose my poor little ear drums to such ear rape? Grindcore has NEVER been this dominant and had this many superb releases ever since 1987 when Scum was released. FUCK! I love Relapse and I think what they're doing is a wonderful thing for the music community. I don't care about retarded grindcore purists either. Everyone is going to say " is DEAD!!!!" and that is not fucking true at all. So what a black metal band isn't Scandinavian and throws in a bit of post-rock in their black metal? SO FUCKING WHAT! Don't let shitty elitists tell you otherwise. Do yourself a favor; ignore those assholes and pick up one of the best albums of this year. Be sure to purchase the album at Hydra Head.

Download HERE

Shorty Cat - I Ain't Be Controlled (2007)

From last.fm:


"Formed in Seoul, South Korea in winter 2003, the four-piece are key players in South Korea’s punk scene. They’re one of very few all-girl punk bands, for a start, and they rock a philosophy of unity and passion that will surely nourish the scene in the years to come. And if that’s not enough, they’re also as cool as fridges.“We formed the band because we love punk!” says guitarist Eun Jin, better known as Pheobe. “There were no girl bands left in Korea’s punk scene, so we wanted to be the first long-lasting girl band.”Shorty Cat is Pheobe along with vocalist Yu Jung, bassist Na Yoen and drummer Min Chae. The band takes its inspiration from all subgenres of punk music, but especially English artists of the 1970s and ’80s, such as The Sex Pistols, X-Ray Spex and Generation X, and their more modern Japanese counterparts, including Lolita No. 18."


I picked up Shorty Cat a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time ago and completely forgot about them and how much I LOVED them. I don't have a clue what the hell they're saying but I've completely fallen in love with these gals. <3 DON'T BEAT ME UP FOR IT, SORRY! Haha. These politically charged Korean bad girls noticed there wasn't many (like 0) all-female fronted bands in their punk scene so they decided to change that. For those who are familiar with South Korea and it's past, being a female fronted band is some serious business. I give these gals all my respect in the world because they're not afraid to get out there and question authority and what society or the law says. I'm not a big fan of street punk but man, if I had to choose a favorite out of the genre, Shorty Cat would be up there in my top 5. Another thing I love about this band is the noticable influence of riot grrrl. It's a shame that there are less and less bands that focus on feminism in their music and more on trivial, stupid shit like BLOOD AND GUTS AND FUCKING I DON'T FUCKING CARE ABOUT YOUR MTV. RAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE! I wonder... If the vocals were in English would I still like it? Either way, I don't care. Street punk and riot grrrl fans should totally pick this album up and have some fun with Shorty Cat!

Download HERE

Ghostlimb - Infrastructure (2011)

From last.fm:


"Ridiculously pissed hardcore with elements of melody, thrash, and general poor disposition, ghostlimb compile all the rage a minute long song can handle with sprinklings of social critique and dissatisfied sarcasm. This 11-song record clocks in under 15 minutes and is riddled with succinct aesthetics of the fast, heavy, and tolerably informed. 3 piece, mad. Rad."


After 3 years and extensive touring, Ghostlimb have FINALLY put out a new release entitled Infrastructure. Ghostlimb took a totally different approach when making this album. If you're familiar with their earlier work you'll know that it's most resemblant to bands like Dangers, Comadre, and Glasses. As for this album, they've seem to have taken a more melodic approach, throwing a bit of d-beat in there which is pretty cool because that's not something you see everyday in most modern hardcore bands. The riffs are rather thrashy, (like all modern hardcore bands nowadays) aggressive, and almost stoner metalish sounding at times. I don't know about you but I'm seeing that to be a trend now. I was talking with a friend of mine and he was saying how most modern hardcore bands were more metal if they were anything. I kind of agreed but then again I disagreed because bands like Ghostlimb have all the elements of a hardcore band, they're renowned in the hardcore scene, and they're signed Vitriol Records, a record label notoriously known for putting out hardcore bands similar in sound to Ghostlimb. But anyways, whether they're "true hardcore" or not they're still a great band nonetheless and I highly advice people fans of Cursed, The Swarm, Trainwreck, and Graf Orlock (Ghostlimb is essential Graf Orlock without the lead singer) to pick this up. One of the better hardcore releases this year!

Download HERE

Cranford Nix - Acoustic (???)

From last.fm:


"Cranford Nix was a singer-songwriter from Detroit, Michigan who died on March 12th 2002, at age 33 from a drug overdose."


Cranford Nix has one of those indescribable voices that can't be compared to anyone else. Sure, he may have a raspy voice like Tom Waitts and bold, lyrical content like Billy Bragg but he's more than just that. What made me fall in love most with this guy was his lyrical content. When I first started listening to him I thought it was kind of funny that he was singing about things such as breaking out of rehab, hating his girlfriend and wanting to kill her, insecurity, and about accepting death. Now, after listening to it a few times, I realize how fucked up he really was. I was surfing around on the internet and found a very interesting article from the local newspaper in Detroit about Cranford Nix and his death. The article can be found here. It just sucks hearing that a guy like this, who had so much fucking potential, can just throw his life away. It just really pisses me off because he was probably that person who lies to your face and tells you everything is okay and you KNOW they aren't okay. I think listening to Cranford's music is a real life lesson. He lived the things he wrote about, y'know? I guess he was just in the moment living how he wanted to and I can't really blame him for that. I'm sure deep down inside he was a nice, sincere, and loyal person to those who truly loved him. It's a real emotional experience when listening to his music so if this isn't your thing then steer clear of it. But really, I suggest this to those who just want to hear some honest, passionate music that can speaks to those who are in a troubled situation.

Rest In Peace

Download HERE

Vestiges - The Descent Of Man (2010)

From last.fm:


"Vestiges formed in January of 2010 as a two-piece band. Influenced by hardcore, black metal, crust, screamo, and post-rock, the band set out to incorporate elements of each genre to articulate their message both musically and lyrically. A third member was added to the band shortly before entering the studio to record The Descent Of Man. The band and a filmmaker are currently in the process of producing a film to visually capture the theme of The Descent Of Man.The Descent Of Man follows the creation, the evolution, and the eventual annihilation of mankind. Today, we find ourselves hoping to reverse the damage that we have done and struggling to sustain what little earth we have yet to rape repeatedly. We validate this existence with stories that justify our behavior and our role in the natural world. The promise of salvation in a land we have yet to see has clouded our judgment in a land that is right before our eyes. Industrialization, militarization, overpopulation, theism, specieism, and nihilism are regarded as evolution and progress. Our greed and ignorance have been celebrated and our past has been forgotten. We were meant to be a part of nature. We were not meant to conquer nature. We were given life and we have done everything in our power to bring death upon everything in our path, including ourselves. There will be horrifying consequences for what we have done."


I can't believe that I vaguely skimmed over this band when first listening to them. I picked up this album a few months ago (album was released in October) and thought nothing of it. I saw a buddy of my listening to it on last.fm and I said to myself, "You know what? I'm going to give it another spin." Now going back listening to it I'm hearing every thing that I've ever wanted in a band like this. They combine the emotional filled vocal style of Fall Of Efrafa and the instrumental work of Celeste to bring a unique blend and call it their own. It's bands like Vestiges that really define the "post-metal" genre and what it SHOULD be. Their influences of crust and hardcore is staggering with their harsh but very aggressive vocal patterns and ability to have you on edge at all times. Lyrical content displayed is something else. You can almost just FEEL the raw hatred for mankind and civilization and how we're just killing ourselves day in and day out when listening to Vestiges. The guitar work is sometimes light but can instantly progress into something that is loud, heavy, and just throws tons and tons of raw energy at you until you run out of breath at how captivating it really is. At times, this album almost made me feel as if they were a veteran in the black metal scene with their constant blast beats and superb tremelo picking. I just love the builds up from the passive sounding outro to the eerie feeling of the outro. There are a lot of atmospheric sludge bands out there that are a real snoozefest but Vestiges doesn't sugarcoat it and lays out their sound on a perfectly aligned grid. If it were still 2010 I would DEFINITELY deem this album in my top 10 album of 2010. Truly, a masterpiece that captivates not only the mind but the body and spirit as well. Be sure to visit their website to buy some merch and check out their bandcamp.

Download HERE

Apples To Apples - Self Titled (2010)

From last.fm:


"Apples To Apples are a primarily female fronted folk punk band from California signed to Wylscot Records."


I give a big thanks to my pal Bethany for showing me these guys! She hooked me up with a song by this band and showed me the distro that they're signed, Wylscot Records which can be found here. Apples To Apples are a female fronted (almost) duo folk punk band. Some songs tend to be very lo-fi and some are really fucking loud haha. If you can get past that fact then this band will definitely grow on you. When I think of the phrase "melts your heart" I truly think of Apples To Apples. The female's vocals really melt my heart... I can totally feel my heart just gradually turning to mush and my eyes just rolling up in my skull thinking about how beautiful her and her voice are. :3 I bet she's like the CUTEST girl in the ENTIRE world who is a total nerd. Maybe one of those types that is a total punk rock chick (loves Charles Bronson, Johnny Hobo, and Minor Threat) but is incredibly too cool for you and has an awesome way of dressing. She just sits around all day eating dumpstered pizza and Magic The Gathering cards passed down by her older brother, who also indulged in the punk scene when he was younger. LETS TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD JUST YOOOOOU AND MEEEEEE PUNK ROCK GIRL!! Yeah... I must be day dreaming. Haha. I never find myself relating to cutesy folk punk but I am totally down with Apples To Apples. ALRIGHT, I'M GOING BACK TO DAY DREAMING. FUCK YOU GUYS! Oh and be sure to support this band and the distro they're signed to at the link I provided earlier on!!!

Download HERE

Lights For Nero - ...and Little Lambs Eat Nations (2004)

From last.fm:


"Lights for Nero was a hardcore band from Columbia, South Carolina. During their relatively short lifespan from circa 2002 to 2005, the band released two albums and only did a handful of touring, including two appearances in 2003 and 2004 at the Cornerstone Festival in Illinois. Keeping in line with similar screamo and grindcore acts, their music was fast and often violent, but their sound was distinct due to their abundant use of saxophone, as well as their dual vocalists. The members also identified themselves as Christians, and as such Biblical influences can be found in their lyrics, seemingly contrary to their aggressive musical approach.After their previous band Edify split in 2000, vocalist Jason Kinch, guitarist Mat Saxon, and vocalist/saxophonist Joseph Young formed Lights for Nero, along with drummer Steven Cheek and bassist/guitarist Christopher Deans. In 2003, they put together nine tracks to create Dying to Shed Light on the Narrow Path of the Anathema Heist, which was released on a small local label.Vocalist/bassist Darcy Del Priore, who also played in Edify, joined shortly thereafter when Deans stepped down. Deans would rejoin the band in 2004 for the recording of …and Little Lambs Eat Nations, an album that included reworked versions of older songs yet at the same time polished the band’s overall sound known to their fans as jazz-violence, jazzcore and jazzgrind.Following the obscure release of Little Lambs, the band underwent a number of lineup changes. Deans left the band once more with Jordan Blackmon taking his place on guitar; Colton Barnes joined briefly after the departure of original member Kinch; and Del Priore, in order to take over vocal duties, handed the bass to Ben Gunter. After this confusing period of shuffling, the members decided to split amicably in February of 2005.Darcy, Ben and Mat went onto form the short-lived Children of the 11th Hour, which from 2005 to 2006 furthered the jazz-violence styling found in Lights for Nero. Joseph began his solo on-again/off-again hip-hop project JEYcannon. Jason performed in The Map Says We’re Fucked from 2004 to 2007. Jordan continued playing in No Way Jose! (since 2001) and Alaska the Tiger from 2005 to 2007, in addition to his solo work as Brave Horatious."


I know you're probably reading this, looking at the tags, and going "WTF RYAN??" but calm down folks! The tags ARE correct. Lights For Nero are one of those experimental WTF screamo bands that seem to be quite the buzz nowadays. I was pretty lucky to find this band seeing as how they've been under my radar for months now. LFN take a very chaotic screamo, almost similar to emo violence or whatever it's called and combines it with jazz. Now, I wouldn't say it's free jazz or stuff like John Zorn but it's just structured jazz with random screams and all that JAZZ. See what I did there? Such a fucking comedian! But yeah, it's pretty much just random jazz stuff transitioning into yells with some bleeps and bloops and some tone chimes here in there. Overall, it's some pretty neat stuff and if you're feeling very avant-garde, experimental, or just all out fucking quirky I don't see why you wouldn't give this a try!

Download HERE

Relics Of Future - Self Titled (2009)

I don't have too much information to tell you about Relics Of Future seeing as how there's hardly ANY information out there so I apologize if this review seems rather short. Hell, I couldn't even find their demo! But anyways, Relics Of Future are from The Netherlands and play a metallic crust sound also known as stenchcore. Some of their riffs are rather fast but are ALWAYS heavy. The vocals are very much growled, like really fucking growled. You could almost mistaken these guys for a death metal band or something. Relics Of Future are most comparable to bands such as Contagium, Misanthropic, and Realm Of Chaos. There is lightly a Bolt Thrower-esque sound to them too, which judging by whether or not you like them will make the listening experience all the more better/worse. Like crust? Like heavy stuff? Well, you know what to do. Pick this shit up! If anyone has any information to provide me for this band let me know!!

Download HERE

IZP / Within The Last Wish - Jidai Wo Toikakeru Sonzai No Shomei (2010)

Thanks to my pal Reverie for hooking me up with this band! I was looking for some stuff similar to Envy and what not and he hooked me up with a band called Within The Last Wish. I was going through their stuff and picking up the discography and stumbled across this gem. IZP and Within The Last Wish are both screamo influenced post-hardcore bands. What really surprised me about this split was how A-W-E-S-O-M-E IZP's side was. I am quite familiar with Within The Last Wish and their incredible way of playing their melodic tinged post-hardcore with heavy as fuck bass lines. I had a really hard time trying to a pick a favorite from WTLW when listening to their stuff but I highly recommend getting their entire discography (two demos and an EP excluding this split). Now, I haven't heard of IZP before. I looked on last.fm to see the fanbase (Only 74 listeners. Can you BELIEVE this shit?) and googled "IZP", "band", "Japanese", "post-hardcore", and "screamo" alternatively and nothing was coming up of relevance which sucks because I really wish I could get some more stuff by them. Their style of post-hardcore is a bit different. There is a lot more more fancy guitar work and even some spoken vocals. The vocalist can hit a lot more high notes whereas WTLW has more deeper voice but can scream for an extended period. Another thing that IZP lacks that I really enjoy in WTLW was the whole post-rock influence. There isn't a lot of it but when it's present, it's PRESENT! Overall, I had a great time listening to split and I know it's going to grow on me and definitely become a favorite. I think traditional post-hardcore fans will highly enjoy this album and I suggest it to anyone who is looking for some foreign screamo that isn't just from Mexico or Brazil. Oh and I think the last song is IZP respectively covering a track by Within The Last Wish. Enjoy!


HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR FANS OF SCREAMO AND POST-HARDCORE!

Download HERE

Black Haven - Harmbringer (2011)

From last.fm:


"Black Haven is a punk hardcore band from Ghent, Belgium. www.blackhaven.bandcamp.com"


Black Haven are back with a new album entitled Harmbringer. For those of you who don't know, Black Haven are a dominant and rather popular straight edge hardcore band in the h8000 scene. I have to admit, I think I liked The Cleansing EP a lot better. A lot of it has to do with the vocals. For some reason Harmbringer just doesn't seem to be all that aggressive compared to the EP. That still doesn't mean it isn't a great release though! It's very uh.... melodic would you say? The vocals tend to go from shouting to almost sung which is pretty sick and gives you that old school hardcore punk feel to it. There aren't many that hardcore bands that do it right coming from Belgium but Black Haven never cease to fail me so do yourself a favor and add this album to your collection! 

Download HERE

Infernal Noise Brigade - Vamos A La Playa (2003)

From last.fm:


"The Infernal Noise Brigade was a loose 15-80 piece mobile sound ensemble, a hybrid marching band and drum corps, internationally active in the furtherance of popular liberation for five years. First organized in 1999 to provide the soundtrack for actions during the World Trade Organization meetings in Seattle, the INB marched through clouds of gas and hails of rubber bullets without dropping a beat. Not a year later the group visited Prague in grand style, followed by both BBC and Dutch VPRO film crews. The group prevailed through the violence that marked that event.The INB sound combines elements of drumline, taiko, Mughal and North African rhythms, elements of Balkan fanfares, breakbeats, and just about anything else. Some songs feature vocals and, between or during songs, noise. “The virgin experience of the Infernal Noise Brigade in action can be adrenaline boggling. The music explodes the senses like a thunderstorm.” (Clamour Magazine, 05/01) All instrumentation is mobile; the batería employs traditional marching band instruments like bass drum and snare, with some more obscure metal instruments like the Moroccan qarqbat or Chinese opera cymbals. A small horn section holds down the melody, assisted by vocals and layered with sound collage. Amplified sound is delivered via reverse-engineered car stereo amplifiers and miniature FM transmitters. The same DIY philosophy is applied to all Infernal craftwork, from custom welded drum harnesses to uniforms fashioned from appropriated reflective roadsigns.The group (with members from around the U.S. and some internationally) have also traveled to Cancun, Mexico (2003) to protest, once again, the WTO meetings, to the Republican National Convention in 2004 in New York City, to Scotland during the G8 conference, and has done a tour through Europe.In mid-2006 the band had a “funeral” in Seattle, Wa. to send them off on to their “death” and disassembled."


I met an older gentlemen by the name of Dan a month ago at a friends house party. He told me that he was in a political marching band (I forget the name of it) and went on about how his band was going to a national marching thing. I don't know what they're called, sorry. :/ But anyways, after he told me all of this I went home and was really eager to check out what all the fuss was about. I don't mind marching band stuff but it just wasn't something I'd normally listen to you know? So I pushed it back more and more until later tonight I decided to give it a try and I really enjoyed it. What attracts me most to Infernal Noise Brigade is the fact that they're an anarcho political marching band who take to the streets in a form of protesting... but with MUSIC! Ingenious right?! Seriously, who wouldn't get pissed at a bunch of liberals parading around in the street with a bunch of loud instruments? You can find their other albums Insurgent Selections for Battery and Voice and The Final Recordings on mediafire if you're interested in this kind of music. I'm not sure if this album is a live one or what (judging from the clapping and what not. I'm not sure if that's part of the random part of their music or just fans clapping for them) but for what it's worth it's damn good. I have to say this is my favorite album from all the Balkan influence. If you're looking to step outside the box and wanting to support a political band this would be THE band. This is some different stuff, even for me, so don't miss out!

Download HERE

Young And In The Way - I Am Not What I Am (2011)

From last.fm:


"Formed in the early months of 2009 by four eager individuals in search of an opening to flee their discontent with the mundane routine of normal life and their past musical endeavors. Young and in the Way found that escape in the form of a small wooden shed on the outskirts of Charlotte, NC. It was here the band crafted their first release simply and appropriately titled “Newborn.” The band played their first handful of live shows throughout the remaining months of 2009 nailing their debut EP into an out of print coffin.Young and in the Way spent the Winter months of late 2009 and early 2010 recording a new album titled “Amen.” The band emerged with the full length in March 2010 and received some label attention and interest in releasing the album. Young and in the Way opted for an independent release of “Amen” which was followed by a number of live shows and a Southeastern tour of the United States.During the Spring months of 2010 Young and in the Way began writing new material between shows and while awaiting the release of the second album “Amen.” The band completed a recording session of six new songs that was originally intended only for personal reference and was shelved for several months with no intention of being released. Several months later the band revisited the session with fresh ears and remixed the recording. “Cloven Hoof” was created and released.Young and in the Way took the remaining months of 2010 to focus on writing new material. During the Winter months of 2010 and 2011 the band recorded a new album titled “I Am Not What I Am.” The new album is set for an independent vinyl release in Spring 2011."


HOLY FUCK, HOLY FUCK, HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLY FUUUUUUUUUUUCK! First, I just want to start off this little review by saying YOUNG AND IN THE WAY ARE SO FUCKING AWESOME!!! But yeah, these guys are soooo good. I picked up all their stuff earlier today and listened to all of it at once. I was kind of skeptical because their earlier stuff like Newborn very hardcore sounding but as I got into Amen my view quickly changed on this band, especially with their 15 minute or whatever track at the end that was chock-filled with sludgey goodness. They followed up with another 2010 release, Cloven Hoof, which heavily combined that sludge sound, hardcore, and even through in some very crust-like vocals. 2011 has brought us their full-length album, I Am Not What I Am. This by far is their BEST release yet. It takes what they've previously done and just have gone above and beyond. I almost want to say they sound like Trap Them, All Pigs Must Die, or Nails but they have a real blackened crust sound to them and are hell of a lot more sludgier. I'm really surprised that this band hasn't been gobbled up by Deathwish Inc. I'm not saying it's a good thing but these guys definitely need some recognition because this is one heavy as fuck album. The production on this album is top notch and will definitely have it's go in your library a few times. I really love the bands name too. They just present themselves with that pissed off kind of defeatist attitude. YEAH, WE'ER YOUNG AND IN THE WAY? SO FUCKING WHAT?! I'm going to have to put this album in my top three slot for favorite releases of 2011 so far, behind Trap Them's Darker Handcraft and Deafheaven's Road To Judah. Fans of anything on Deathwish Inc should totally grab this!


HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

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Larry And His Flask discography

Sooooooooo, I found out earlier today that Larry And His Flask are performing in MY TOWN NEXT FUCKING WEEK! Wednesday, that is. I'm so excited!! I've had their discography on my HD ever since I got it. It was a real bitch getting it in a torrent and the mediafire links seize to exist and I'm not sure why. I hope my links won't get taken down! My little gift to you guys is to share my joy and warmth of this WONDERFUL alt-country/americana/punk rock band by sharing you their ENTIRE discography! Here's a little something something for you folks curtosy of last.fm:


"“Larry & His Flask are like no band I’ve ever seen (which seems to be the general consensus). As soon as Jamin says “Hello everybody we’re Larry & His Flask!” and the first song begins people are glued to the stage. Everyone is watching with smiles and wide eyes. People are looking at their friends shaking their heads with looks on their faces that say: “What the hell is this?!“ When all 6 members are on stage they are truly a sight to behold. They play their instruments fast and they play them good. It’s difficult to describe the kind of music they play; they don’t fit into any of the genres found in your neighborhood music shop. Their music sounds like rowdy bluegrass/folk with heavy punk rock roots and a splash of gypsy soul.”


With that being said, lets start on their discography shall we?!?!

Larry And His Flask - Loud And Crowded (???) 

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Larry And His Flask - Rough Cuts (???) 

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Larry And His Flask - The Lost Semen (2005) 

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Larry And His Flask - We're Going Dancin' Tonight (2006) 

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Larry And His Flask - Gutted (2008) 

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Larry And His Flask - Never Long Again! (2008) 

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Larry And His Flask - Live At The Fillmore In Charlotte, NC (2010)

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Larry And His Flask - Self Titled (2010)

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Cheers everybody!