As I Lay Dying- An Ocean Between Us

Atreyu- Lead Sails Paper Anchor

Hollywood Records

Words can not convey my utter disgust for this album, I expected it to be bad but not this bad. I first got into Atreyu with their album “Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses” and was instantly hooked into the breakneck drums and guitars and overall angry, cathartic sound. Every song seemed to be a conduit in which singer Alex Varkatzas vented his pain and frustrations. It didn’t last long.  The one thing I can say for Atreyu is that they are consistent, because every album has gotten consistently worse since that first one. And just when you thought they couldn’t get any worse than their last album “A Death Grip On Yesterday”, they dropped this turd sandwich. This is watered down, unimaginative crap that was most likely created with the sole purpose of appeasing their new fan base of disenfranchised fifteen year old douchebags. I would rather be shit on by a large and greasy German man than ever hear any of these songs again. And as Forrest Gump so succinctly phrased it, “That’s all I have to say about that”.          CS

American Steel- Destroy Their Future

Every time I’ve heard American Steel the listening experience seems to be a little different, even on a song to song basis. That kind of variance is great for a band like this that has combined a bunch of different sounds and influences together to create their own original sound, but bad for someone like me who’s trying to review their album. Damn you American Steel for thwarting my attempts at pigeonholing you and thrusting you into the mindset of the masses!  Despite hearing songs by these guys for years, I honestly don’t know much about them other than the fact that I always like what I hear. The songs on “Destroy Their Future” range from rambling pseudo folk with slurring vocals that hint at wild nights out and beer drank in dark corners of basement bars to rough and tumble punk rock with poppy elements in the form of sing along choruses. The kind that would make you want to dance if you weren’t too punk rock for such nonsense. I actually don’t know if it is good enough for me to hang on to it, but I was fairly impressed with the album overall.          CS

Incommunicado- Losing Daylight

“Losing Daylight” with its bass heavy hectic songs, conjures up images of kids rocking out in circle pits at an Incommunicado show and blasting the record in the car on the way home, cracking open road beers and singing their fucking hearts out to every song. But we’re not condoning drunk driving…just great tunes. “Losing Daylight” is a veritable melting pot of punk rock influences, throwing in everything from soulful post-hardcore ruminations to off time signatures and chant-able hardcore style choruses. The drums are energetic and inventive as is the guitar work, which drives and squelches and creates the perfect layer of sound for Incommunicado’s very skilled bassist to lay down massive amounts of finger numbing low end lines. Chris Feigh’s lyrics are poetic and thought provoking and he sings and shouts them with enough determination to get his point across clearly. This is in the upper echelon of albums I’ve received lately for review and is a great, well rounded album that everyone from the early nineties skate punk fan to the pop minded new school fan can enjoy. Be sure to listen to ‘Electrode Cathode’ and ‘Detachments’ first to get the party started right.           CS

Remove The Veil- Another Way Home

On the first track, “The Crux”, it sounds like they dug up Layne Staley’s corpse, reanimated it and made him sing for parts of it. I thought it was a little amusing. The rest of the vocals are more along the lines of a high pitched Swedish death metal band, which is weird because the music sounds like a mix of plain old American metal and dirty south rock. That’s it. It sounds like Pantera if they were huge fans of At The Gates. The music is tight and well performed, and they certainly seem pretty proficient with their instruments, but by really no fault of their own, I’m not really into it. It’s not Remove The Veils fault that I’ve heard way too many bands that sound like this. They weren’t the ones in the late 90’s and early 2000’s cramming loads of metallic hardcore music into my skull at a staggering rate, but unfortunately they now have to bear the burden of my disdain of this style of music now that my metalcore cup runneth over. I know that a lot of people will really dig this album, and for good reason. For what it is, it’s a great offering…I’m just not buying anymore.          CS

Resonance/ Permanent- split 7”

There has to be something in the water supply in Richmond. The city keeps cranking out some of the best musical outfits known to man and Resonance is the newest addition to the city’s long punk rock lineage. “Eyes Immune” kicks it off with fast melodic punk with attitude and heart galore, and a sing along part that that makes you want to get up off the couch and knock shit over. Their second song, ‘Pilot Flame’ carries on in the same vein, but tones down the energy just a bit and cranks up the harmony to maximum capacity. The vocals are brash and intelligent and the music cohesive and tight.  I can tell that they are going to be one of my favorite bands in short order.  Permanent on the other hand eschew the toned down post hardcore sound and play balls to the wall, traditional hardcore. Heavy handed guitars and breakneck drum rolls lead the onslaught of furious abandon from the song ‘Standing’ and into their final song ‘Everything Ending’. Funny how the album ends with that song title…was that on purpose? All in all, they sound like a band you could have heard in the late eighties with a singer that sounds a bit like a slightly less pissed off Henry Rollins. This is a varied and exciting split record and while the Resonance side of the album captures more of my heart, I will be eagerly awaiting more music from both bands.          CS

Modern Life Is War- Midnight In America

I heard someone say that the new Modern Life Is War album isn’t as heavy and that they’ve lost their edge…apparently the band didn’t get the memo because this record is just as punishing as the ones that preceded it. As much as I love hardcore, it sometimes is hard to differentiate between vocalists; you can only scream in so many ways, y’know? What I like about vocalist Jeffrey Eaton is that he doesn’t so much shout as snarl his lyrics and it really lends more credibility to the raw, angry energy behind the words. Modern Life Is War, as a whole unit, have really stepped up and pushed themselves into being a more technically proficient and interesting band and strayed out of the ‘same old, same old’ state of mind that seems to permeate the hardcore scene. Their cover of ‘Stagger Lee’ demonstrates their willingness to branch out and while I have heard tons of covers of that song, this version is by far my favorite. Another particularly notable song on “Midnight In America” is ‘Fuck The Sex Pistols’, which I love because A) The song is great and B) I fucking hate the Sex Pistols too. In fact the whole time the song played I couldn’t help but raise my fist in solidarity. So maybe when people say that “Midnight In American’ is less heavy it means that it’s just a little more original than they’re used too. Personally I think this is their best album to date, it’s still heavy as hell but they take time to experiment a little and really reach out into other creative trains of thought.         CS

Capital- Home Front

Botch- We Are The Romans (Deluxe Edition)

Cloak/Dagger- We Are

Static Radio NJ- One For The Good Guys

NOFX- They’ve Actually Gotten Worse Live!

I was probably listening to “I heard They Suck Live!” on this very day twelve years ago, I had been a NOFX fan for a couple of years at that point and had yet to actually catch them live so that album was very convenient in the way of putting a handful of the best NOFX songs in one place and for me getting a sense of the comedic genius that usually goes on between songs at their shows. I generally pass on live albums, but it was pretty good. I ended up seeing them two years later with The Bouncing Souls and despite the fact that I contracted Mononucleosis at the show, it was fun. So, now they release the follow up live album, “They’ve Actually Gotten Worse Live!” and aesthetically not much has changed. They’re still the same snarky fucking dudes they’ve always been; cracking jokes between songs and their music is still very fun and consistent. However, I don’t recognize about ¾ of the songs on this album, I kinda lost track of NOFX after “Heavy Petting Zoo”, I resurfaced briefly for “So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes” and after that nothing. I guess I’m showing my age, but while the crowd was seemingly getting pumped up for the newer stuff, I was getting excited when they played classics like ‘The Longest Line’, ‘Green Corn’ and ‘Stickin’ in My Eye”. No one needs an explanation of what NOFX sounds like, you already know, and they’ve never changed the formula. You just need to figure out if you’re willing to shell out some dough for a live album, and if you enjoy live albums…you should own this one.          CS

Shipwreck a.d.- Abyss

Young Livers- The New Drop Era

About twenty seconds into the third song, ‘Means of Buoyancy’ my cat Azrael puked. I’d like to think that this album was proving to be such a sonic punch to the gut and he was rocking out on it so hard that he tossed his cookies. The reality was that he had a massive hairball…oh well; he never appreciated good music anyway. I find a lot of albums are either lacking in the lyrical content or the actual musical accompaniment, few have the winning combination of both, but “The New Drop Era” is a fully well rounded entity; having a great, intricate musical backdrop with smart and poignant lyrics. This is an album that fits with any mood and scenario that life could throw your way. An ode to introspection and overt rage, a masterpiece to encompass the elations of life and the hardships that dot the horizon. When I heard the line “Goodbye you bastard/ Good luck motherfucker”, I unconsciously found myself saying “Fuck yeah dude” in such a disgustingly redneck way that I looked around the room to make sure my feline companions had not heard me utter it, and I instantly felt shame at my over simplifying the impact of  the song. This is such an amazing album. If I had the scratch, I’d mail all of you enough funds to buy it for yourself…it’s that good. But I don’t have the money, so you’re shit outta luck. Break open those piggybanks.          CS

Ambitions- Stranger

Pink Razors- First Degree 7”

I am now convinced that the Richmond city council has some sort of secret ‘super soldier’ serum that they are administering to their local bands, making groups that are superior to in musical skill and stamina. And Pink Razors are the newest brigade of soldiers from Virginia to lay waste to my ears and cleanse my punk rock palette of all things mundane and detestable. This slab of vinyl measuring exactly seven inches in diameter is incredibly catchy and boisterous and shit, just plain awesome. Pink Razors crank out energetic and incredibly poppy punk like Sid Vicious slammed heroin…relentlessly and with ridiculous enthusiasm. If you can listen to ‘First Degree’ and not feel the irresistible urge to strip down to your underwear and dance around the house like a madman one dose short of a medicated load then I don’t know if I can trust you. Seriously though, all bullshit aside, this is a great album and I’m eager to hear more from Pink Razors. A lot of people ask me what punk rock is, and from now on I can reference this album as an example.          CS

Life Long Tragedy- Runaways

‘Fuck you, we will elude’ is the first sentiment that Life Long Tragedy portrays upon opening the jewel case for ‘Runaways’; their twelve track magnum opus of fury. What exactly they’re trying to elude, I don’t know, but with as pissed off as these dudes sound; I’m hesitant to question them. As soon as I hit play I was greeted to the mellow, dissonant intro to ‘Call it a Day’ and my first thought was “ehhh….” But no sooner than the final ‘h’ left my mouth, the band cranked it into high gear and damned near melted my face off with the following musical assault.  I’m not really too familiar with the band so I wasn’t sure what to expect from this album. I can say that I was pretty impressed with the inventive and varied approach they employ in regards to song structure; which is something fairly uncommon in today’s hardcore scene. Rather than just pummel along, the band keeps the songs interesting by experimenting with different time signatures and melodic accents. My only complaint with ‘Runaways’ is the fact that the songs tend to run together slightly due to some monotonous vocals which kind of stay in the same range tonally. Other than that, this album is well worth the money if you want some great hardcore with an imaginative twist.          CS

Anti-Flag- A Benefit for Victims of Violent Crime

A-F Records

Well I suppose this is your typical Anti Flag release. They just seem to become a bit less gutter and a tad more polished each album. In this case Anti-Flag, who I'm never really been to keen on to begin with, polished is a good thing. A little melody has taken these guys along way. These achievements include their own record label. I guess I was just never really impressed with "dying for my government", and for that matter I'm never to impressed with bands that preach politics. I'm just fed up with musicians who want to be politicians, and politicians who want to be rock stars.  Not that you could tell by the album title, but this album is a bit special. Early this year, bassist Chris lost someone dear to him: his own sister, as well as her boyfriend, at the hands of violence. This release will consequently provide funds to The Center for Victims of Violence and Crime and provide some hope and comfort to those dealing with the same emotions. You have to give it to the boy from Pittsburg, they do have hearts of gold. Even if you're in the same "not so impressed boat" with me, give it a listen. It's for a great cause, and it's well recorded.    PM

The Revisions- Revised Observations

Dirtnap records

This acoustic punk band from Portland, OR are reminiscent of a Hey Mercedes, or even Braid. It's overwhelmingly comparable in the vocals and tempo. "Revised Observations" is very upbeat for an acoustic album. Drums and percussion do plenty to accompany and soup-up tempos where the song writing was probably underplayed before. This album is mildly entertaining but quite honestly pretty drab overall. It's really doesn't do much to hook listeners, and for the most part is pretty redundant from song to song. I would also challenge the vocalist to do a bit more with his range. It just seems as though he was holding back the entire album. It could just be the recording, but this under-sung album is nothing too special. More dynamic vocal quality would really sharpen and otherwise brighten up this band. They also could have done more for me via creative strumming patterns. That is essential in any band where acoustic guitars are featured. I think I'm just spoiled by the styles of Chuck Ragan. A few overhead provisions would really transform Revisions.    PM

Between the Buried and Me- Colors

Victory Records

Colors is essentially one 64-minute song broken up into 8 individual tracks. The album meanders as if it was recorded in one take and possesses a truly amazing fluidity not heard often enough today. The songs are actually distinguishable from one another but at the same time pander to ideas from earlier times and embellish them. Overall the album is a light listen for BTBAM keeping into consideration its running time. It isn't weighed down with needless noodling and far-out interludes you typically might hear from these guys, yet it contains more speeds, notes, and tones than most music today. The music swells and pounds, crescendos and decrescendos are heard multiple times over in each song. The album is all about balance and placement. There is enough musical experimentation but not too much to get bored or overloaded with. The key to the album is flow, and the precision that is encompasses that flow. It's a lot like how Yoda explains The Force to Luke Skywalker. Check it out soon as they are one of few good Victory Record's bands still around today.  PM

A Plea For Purging- A Critique Of Mind And Thought

Facedown Records

I don't want to review this (in complaining tone). I can't understand it, and it just seems to loop metal pitch guitar sounds over and over. If there were no pause between songs I would be totally convinced that this was the first official metal jam band. Don't get me wrong here folks. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, and these bands are just noise to my ears anymore. In any event I really don't have much to say about this. It's not distinguishable music in any way. It draws questions to mind like; If I switched CD's in and out of cases would the owner of said CD really know that this was in fact A Plea for Purging, and not one of 1,000 other bands? Maybe I just don't have the 'fine tuned' ear for it. I have a desperate plea of my own. I don't want to have to review anymore albums like this again, and if I do I think I will purge.    PM

Desoto Jones- Aurora

Deep Elm Records

Wow these albums are really hard to review. This albums was one of five on a 500 mile trip I took recently. So needles to  say we got to know each other a little bit. First off, a lot of comparisons come to mind for example: Fall Out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, or something to that effect that may be found on the radio. There are even a few dashes of Dashboard Confessional. The song writing is a bit lacking and overall just too disheveled. However they do have a few songs that tend to hook you quickly without letting you down. Five out of five girls agree that Desoto Jones is panty dropping worthy, but this guy is most definitely taking them to the used record store where it can be purchased and loved by another. It's so hard to say goodbye Mr. Jones, but I'm afraid if I put you in my album collection between The Descendents and Dillinger Escape Plan you're surely have your ass handed to you. Great album art though. Despite my mild criticism I really could see this band making a mark in the future.   PM

Off With Their Heads- All Things Move Toward Their End

No Idea Records

From the depths of the dingiest garage comes "Off With Their Head", a real balls-to-the-band saw punk rock outfit. It's these kind of albums that keep this website going. As a general rule of thumb if none of the song are over 3 minutes long you're usually about to indulge in what will soon be considered "retro punk". Between the fashion punks, and all this repeat hardcore drivel it's nice to toss in a disc that doesn't make me want to take it with me to the shooting range. These guys really remind me of a less poppy version of The Queers. A simpler time, a more simple style of music. The kind you can play no matter how drunk you are. Hell, sometime inebriation is the muse that writes these kind of jam. By-god this album almost makes me want to sew a patch on something right now and accompany it with a shinny safety-pin! You get the the picture here guys. They're a dying breed and your music sucks.    PM

Mouse Fire- Wooden Teeth

Lujo Records

I smoked exactly three cigarettes to this album just make sure I gave it a fair review. I was immodestly a tad smitten with the name at first. These guys have a lot to say about life through their music without making a big fuss with their instruments. Which is a nice way of saying they're your typical indie-rock band. Don't count me out just yet, after all there is a reason that most of own, no all of our "indie" albums come to me for review. Although a bit too relaxed from a first listen there are many secrets to go back and rediscover a second and third time. Similar to that of a clever movie or enjoyable book. It most definitely showed quarter to my winter depression while fueling alcohol induced moments of joy. There are even subtle darker moments between relaxing riffs. You would most likely find these guys at a trendy coffee shop, or possibly a basement show where everyone is drinking expensive beer they can't afford or even pronounce for that matter.    PM

Crime in Stereo- Is Dead

Bridge Nine Records

Crime in Stereo is breath of fresh air in comparison to most Bridge Nine recordings of the past. Although nothing like Poison the Well, they will begin a tour with the hardcore legends in the late winter. Stylistically they are similar to Hopesfall in a kind of spacey or otherwise hard/melodic way. I guess you could say it's the best of both worlds for this listener. It's so musically diverse from song to song it's really almost impossible to tag these guys. One thing is for certain this album will need plenty of listening before a keep or trade decision is made. I may keep this album on rotation in my car for a while, as this is where all critical music decisions are made. I have to say I'm really intrigued by the attention to detail every song is blessed with. Vocally it's right on the mark, with a nice combating mixture between two vocalists. The drums are pretty progressive, but not over done. However, It's really the guitar work that keep you guessing from track to track. Trying to review this with only a few listens through is like biting of more than I can chew. I like a good challenge though. Keep up the good work men.  PM

The Warriors- Genuine Sense Of Outrage

Victory Records

The Warriors are metal monsters in a controlled and clean environment. They really do intensify what standard hardcore outfits usually fail at. Despite my new found turn-off for hardcore bands, these guys actually keep it interesting enough to hear out. They have a certain 'centergy' through all being focused toward the same musical goal, and this is apparent in their music. The guitar work at time is even a bit funky like that of a Rage Against the Machine. It's precisely a funk-metal hybrid. Not many bands have discovered this formula yet. It gives a  gives them edge over a lot of the hardcore and metal carbon copies. Vocally I'm hearing two different voice. I growler and a cleaner voice. Similar to that of Boy Sets Fire. I'm sure their are many great influences that can be found throughout thus album. I kind of makes me fell like knocking into someone pretty hard. My overall synopsis is that these guys are the metal version of Rage Against the Machine. If that's not intriguing enough to you, then this is where you and I part ways friend.   PM

The New Dress- Where Our Failures Are

Red Leader Records

This is very much a rag-tag album for the truly folkie kids out there. This indie rock duo named Laura and Bill are very complementary of one and other. Between the whoa-oh-ohs and the ah-ah ahs they seem to have a perfect chemistry. My only complaint is that there is not even a subtle hint of and percussion found on this album. It's not like it's an acoustic project! Not a single recorded foot tap to be heard. This is the only time I've ever heard electric guitars and no drums. It seem at time that maybe a solid backing beat would keep the two in better time synch and signature. Enough, I'm over that factor now. Laura has a beautiful voice in comparison to the over sung voice of companion Bill. He's a bit desperate for my taste. Both vocalist are a little flat, but I think that's just the nature of makeshift folk rock artists. I would actually be pretty interested in seeing the two perform. At the rate of a $5 cover charge at the door I'm sure it would be quite entertaining. Especially if the bar had a sale on draft beer that night. Enough said. Check 'em out for a change of musical pace.    PM

Trap Them-Seance Prime

Deathwish Inc

Yea, I can't really get into the suit of metal armor. It's just a bit to gruff for me, and I like my metal over-easy or even scrambled. However, I can't throw Trap Them to the wolves just yet. Although quite gruff, the vocals put me in the mind set of The Bled or Darkest Hour, and these are art forms I can appreciate. The guitar work, however muddled, is very technical and is a few albums away from Converge caliber. The song writing is slightly unpredictable, but nothing that throws you for a loop either. There are intermittent moments of very crunchy off-time breakdown momentum that really carries the band to victorious stage performance, I am sure.

Overall, I'm not a 'metalist' but can point out the sharper knifes in the torturous drawer. Before you get off Scott-free I just have to say; I think the band's name is stupid, but I admire the skull art.   PM

Awake and Alert- Devil in a Lambskin Suit

Five One Records

Maya Peart is the girl's name behind this astonishing voice. She also contributes all piano, and organ endeavors. Now that we have introductions out of the way let me just say what an off-the-mark album for our demographic. Diatribe does encompass many strange sounds and rare findings, but this is simply in another ball park. "Devil in a Lambskin Suit" is a nice juxtaposition of soft and organic muddled with cold and mechanical. Feelings of desperation through dynamic upbeat rhythms. It's truly music for walks of all life. Lyrically Maya writes compassionate but also very saddening lyrics. It's very confusing  but in a way very intriguing at the same time. They are truly a more focused indie rock Evanescence. This album really fucked me up completely, and has me questioning my music sensibilities and sexuality. Very well written.    PM

Terror- Rhythm Amongst The Chaos

Reaper Records

I hate this same old S.O.I.A repeater nonsense. In fact I am sick of it all, all hardcore music in general. Maybe I'm just out of this phase for the time being,or maybe I hate the stupid lion on the cover. This just really strikes me as t macho frat-boy myopically music writing. I know how remedial this sounds, but I just want to fight hardcore kids. Just to give them a valid reason to get pissed. Terror is gifted at what they do, I just don't give a fuck about what they are doing. You bands have officially flooded the market, and the supply is much greater than the demand in my mind. I'm the first to admit that these hardcore band really did at one point get me pretty hard, but now it's like jacking off to the same playboy for the last 5 years. My hardcore has become quite flaccid. I need some melody, I need creativity, I need to end this review reminding everyone that there is a reason we are in fact called Diatribe.     PM