CD/DVD
SINCE BY MAN
a love hate relationship (2004/REVELATION)
POST-HARDCORE. Losing a guitarist and bassist would kill most bands, but in the case of SINCE BY MAN it has only made them stronger. Their new MCD, "a love hate relationship" finds them growing leaps and bounds from their dynamic debut "we sing the body electric". The new additions have stepped right in and added depth while maintaining the original line-up's tight, almost methodical sound. It's rare that a band this young possesses such defined chops, but SINCE BY MAN is the rarest of animals.
SINCE BY MAN
pictures from the hotel apocalypse (2005/REVELATION)
POST-HARDCORE. SINCE BY MAN are rising once again with their sophomore full-length, "pictures from the hotel apocalypse". The evolution of the band is evident in the tormented screams of Sam Macon, as desperate and disillusioned as ever. The vocals pour over a sound that is at times mystical and airy, bringing to mind comparisons to MOGWAI and also a discordant, massive assault of metal tinged guitar work in the vein of CONVERGE, BOTCH and DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN. And in this, SINCE BY MAN has created a compelling and ever-expanding idea of melody.
SINCE BY MAN
we sing the body electric (2003/REVELATION)
POST-HARDCORE. SINCE BY MAN have the intensity of CONVERGE, danceability of the SWING KDS, melodic sensibility of MILEMARKER and a vision all of their own. Formed in Milwaukee, 1999 SINCE BY MAN have created a solid foundation after 3 releases on smaller indie labels, all now out of print. Together this five-piece form a cohesive, powerful unit that aims to give back to the musical community some of the sincerity and inspiration that it gave them. "we sing the body electric" has a maturity unusual in a debut full-length though the precision and intensity shows their youth.
SINCE THE FLOOD
No compromise (2007/METAL BLADE)
METALCORE. Carrying the flag for heavy music in New Hampshire, SINCE THE FLOOD follow up their 2005 debut "Valor and vengeance" with another dose of metal brutality mixed with hardcore intensity and passion. SINCER THE FLOOD's style isn't unique, but it is effective. There are plenty of catchy moments in addition to the brutality, which makes it a memorable effort. Chuck Bouley's vocals are angry and emotional and delivered with hardcore style shrieks along with some shoutalong choruses. This is a compact and crushing album that clocks in at just over 30 min.. The secret is to always leave them wanting more, and Since The Flood has succeeded. SINCE THE FLOOD create a massive sound filled with breakdowns that can appeal to fans of both TERROR and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE.
SINCE THE FLOOD
Valor & vengeance (2005/METAL BLADE)
METALCORE. SINCE THE FLOOD is a New Hampshire based band that strives to stay away from anything generic. Their influences musically range from UNEARTH to DEATH THREAT, and it shows in their explosive mix of forceful hardcore with dance floor shaking breakdowns and killer singalong choruses. Hard, forceful vocals that are definitely influenced by the likes of BURIED ALIVE and TERROR. This is a solid 10 track debut full-length!
SINKING SHIPS
disconnecting (2006/REVELATION)
SXE-HARDCORE. Seattle’s SINKING SHIPS Revelation debut album, "disconnecting", is a look at the trials and tribulations that we go through in everyday life. Weaving elements of melody and hard edge riffs, SINKING SHIPS are creating a sound all their own, somewhere between the familiar echoes of hardcore bands such as BANE and IN MY EYES, but making their own unique, morose overtones a distinctly new addition to this sound. The rhythm section gives the aggressive feel from past acts such as CHAIN OF STRENGTH and a melodic nod to Louisville’s BY THE GRACE OF GOD. SINKING SHIPS then take it a step further, adding guitar melodies reminiscent of AVAIL or even STRIKE ANYWHERE.
SIRENS
calling (2006/COBRA/POISONFREE)
HARDCORE. Although "calling" is SIRENS' 1st sign of life, the band’s maturity and tightness can easily compete with the scene’s old stagers. At the same time SIRENS represent a stirring youthful and energetic spirit. With influences reaching from late '80s and mid '90s hardcore to modern bands like WITH HONOR or REACH THE SKY, SIRENS manage to create their very own style. Straight forward hardcore music with an honest retro feel to it, a good portion of melody and challenging guitar work. Their unique style combined with their experience as musicians and their long-lasting dedication to hardcore music and lifestyle, entitles them to be one of Germany's most outstanding bands these days.
SIRENS
in circles (2007/COBRA)
HARDCORE. SIRENS playing driving, rhythmic and powerful hardcore with loads of melodic elements. This band is a reflection of a time when hardcore had much more compassion, awareness and accountability. The 10 songs on this record sound pretty diverse and very dynamic. You'll get some very good guitar riffs on this full-length, too. You can hear there are some skilled musicians in this band. The overall production is decent and this record really shows the capabilities of this promising German band, definitely a step forward to there debut. LP comes in limited colored vinyl with a delicious gatefold cover and beautiful artwork. DigiCD version comes with 2 additional bonustracks.
SIX & VIOLENCE
bastards of the universe: the 20 year anthology (2012/DIGNIFIED BASTARD)
HARDCORE-PUNK. Established in NYC, in 1985, SIX & VIOLENCE immediately made an impression in the New York hardcore scene. They shared the stage, studio, and scene with all bands of that era. Their songs shared punk rock's criticism of organized religion, corporate America and conventional thinking but did so in a unique, comedic way, matched with an unparalleled live show. This double CD set compiles 59 tracks spanning the band's career from 1985 to 2005.
SIX FEET UNDER
death rituals (2008/METAL BLADE)
DEATH-METAL. SIX FEET UNDER consistently delivers quality American death-metal, and "death rituals" is no exception. SIX FEET UNDER’s style is very recognizable, and they don’t deviate very far from that path. Mid-tempo songs are crushingly heavy, but have ample groove and hooks. There has been criticism of SIX FEET UNDER that every album sounds very similar, and while there’s no mistaking their sound, they do make an effort at injecting more diversity on "death rituals", which contains 13 tracks of groove-laden destruction complete with dark themes, featuring legendary vocalist Chris Barnes.
SIX REASONS TO KILL
reborn (2005/BASTARDIZED)
METALCORE. The Bulldozer returns with an uncompromising masterpiece of modern metal and hardcore serving the full range between skull-splitting blastbeats and crushing melodies. SIX REASONS TO KILL is "reborn" and again easily sets standards in brutality and heaviness!
SKARE TACTIC
remember when (2003/THORP)
Spearheaded by a deep love for the staples of traditional hardcore (Madball, Agnostic Front, Sick Of It All, etc.) Coupled with a fresh grasp of the newer styles by such torchbearers as Hatebreed, Terror, and Death Threat, Skare Tactic has forged a blazing path of hardcore force and brutality.
SKARE TACTIC
the rage within (2007/GHOST TOWN)
HARDCORE. After 2 releases for Thorp Records, including a split with COMIN' CORRECT, LA's SKARE TACTIC present their 1st full-length for their own bass player's label, Ghost Town Records. "the rage within" is 9 tracks of heavy, pounding hardcore with thunderous drums, metallic riffs and chugging breakdowns that bring to mind other LA area bands such as TERROR, DONNYBROOK and THROWDOWN. SKARE TACTIC is a bludgeoning force to be sure, but one put to good use. Get the record, learn the words, head out to the show and get yourself.
SKARHEAD
dreams don't die (2011/I SCREAM)
HARDCORE. In 1995, New York hardcore legend Lord Ezec formed the 7 piece thug-core ensemble SKARHEAD. Now they give you "dreams don't die", a new SKARHEAD record as tribute to some of Lord Ezec's favorite bands from the unforgettable era between '86 and '89. Another 13 tracks from one of the hardest New York bands with guest appearances by Eddie Sutton (LEEWAY), Paul Bearer (SHEER TERROR), Mad Joe (WISDOM IN CHAINS), Scott Vogel (TERROR) and many more.
SKARHEAD
drugs, music & sex (2010/REALITY/I SCREAM)
HARDCORE. SKARHEAD's debut, "drugs, money & sex", was released in 1997 and shortly after that they signed to Victory Records for the release of the world famous and classic NYC hardcore record "kings at crime", which hit stores in 1999. Being a lead vocalist and leader in the hardcore community for over 15 years, Lord Ezec is now back with SKARHEAD's long awaited new record "drugs, music & sex". Ezec has managed to record another timeless album for those who love a good blend of street brutality and the most ignorant hardcore party anthems a band can create.
