Latest Additions
1985, THE
s/t (2001/MONOTONSTUDIO)
POST-ROCK. So, you wanna talk about contemporary avantgarde? Alright, how about talking about THE 1985, they are avantgarde as avantgarde can, they’ve got Andy Warhol-isms, they’ve got never-heard-of-before chemical drugs, they’ve got intense musicianship like krautrock, they’ve got weird style-dogmas like BAUHAUS, they’ve got underground credibility like early '80s wave from some NYC basement club or somewhere or early '90 San Diego art-rock.
1997
..a better view of the rising moon (2007/VICTORY)
EMO/INDIE-ROCK. At the center of 1997's debut, "..a better view of the rising moon", is the continued search for the band's creative vision as artists and friends. The members of 1997 come from diverse backgrounds, yet by meshing all of their styles and influences into a musical melting pot, the band has created a sound and style that is startlingly fresh and distinctive. The male and female harmonies summon elements of contemporary emo, lovelorn pop, groove and acoustic folk singalong.
31 KNOTS
the days and nights of everything anywhere (2007/POLYVINYL)
INDIE/POST-ROCK. The best music is always truly indefinable. Portland, Oregon's prolific 31KNOTS have described their sound as "post-apocalyptic vaudevillian punk", and while that's an apt description, it doesn't begin to express the level of demented-pop brilliance on the band's latest full-length, "the days and nights of everything anywhere. From the stuttering sequenced intro of the opener to the airy ambient ending of the closer, "the days and nights of everything anywhere" is the complete realization of the sound 31KNOTS have been working toward for the last 9 years.
37 STABWOUNDZ
a heart gone black (2006/GSR)
METALCORE. 37 STABWOUNDZ (with ex BORN FROM PAIN members) are back with their follow up album to "embrace solitude" that had already gained the band much critical acclaim. "a heart gone black" is an intense offering that layers endless grooves and hooks that engages in relentless heaviness in the process. Mix that with vocals TO DIE FOR that blend brutal verses and glorious choruses, 37 STABWOUNDZ have an album that will challenge any of the metal elite for album of the year with its infectious melody, head banging grooves and sheer crushing power.
86 MENTALITY
final exit (2008/DERANGED)
HARDCORE-PUNK. Both their earlier 7"s on Grave Mistake Records are absolute shredders and this new recordings follows in the same vein of Oi! inspired hardcore-punk. These 6 tracks are full of crushing power that won't let down fans of tough early American like NEGATIVE APPROACH and S.O.A and early BLITZ. CD includes their "final exit" 7" plus 2 bonus tracks from the same session and 7 awesome live tracks recorded at the Lintfabriek in Belgium.
A CURSIVE MEMORY
changes (2008/VAGRANT)
INDIE/EMO-ROCK. Southern California's A CURSIVE MEMORY bring some fluffy pop hooks and rock sensibility to this debut full-length, which is 12 tracks of infectious melodies and driving guitars. "changes" is their 1st full-length but with years of playing together under their belt they have assembled a catchy and streamlined album for the masses. After listening to the 12 tracks you will be hard pressed to not singalong yourself. A CURSIVE MEMORY brings to mind bands like ARMOR FOR SLEEP, JIMMY EAT WORLD and SAY ANYTHING.
A FINE BOAT, THAT COFFIN / MOCK HERO / UTARID / AM I DEAD YE
4-way split (2005/REACT WITH PROTEST)
POST/SCREAMO-HARDCORE. The best band on this record. UTARID are hailing from Malaysia and toured Europe with AM I DEAD YET from Belgium. Both bands play powerful chaotic and screamy hardcore. UTARID more like REVERSAL OF MEN and ORCHID and AM I DEAD YET a bit more dark canadian like URANUS. A FINE BOAT THAT COFFIN (ex-CALLING GINA CLARK) crank out one 6min. song between the ususal jazz-grind and screamo parts and add a touch of doomish stonerism. THE MOCK HEROIC are a bit more calm and play intense emotional hardcore like BOB TILTON.
A STATIC LULLABY
and don't forget to breathe (2006/COLUMBIA)
EMOCORE. "and don't forget to breathe", the band's full-length debut, is their 1st proper release. It follows their self-produced "withered" MCD which they've been selling at shows and online for months. While "withered" shows a band at its genesis, "and don't forget to breathe" represents a huge leap forward both musically and aesthetically. Produced by Steve Evetts (Snapcase, Sepultura, Hatebreed), the full-length is a totally different beast. Get ready for an intense musical experience and be prepared to leave a little blood behind... they always do.
A STATIC LULLABY
faso latido (2005/COLUMBIA)
EMOCORE. Instead of being a hardcore band with emo undertones, they've become more of a straight-ahead rock band with the hardcore elements mostly in the background (sometimes in the foreground, but far less often in the background (sometimes in the foreground, but far less often than in their debut). When they put it all the elements together flawlessly, they are able to maintain the intensity of their debut while keeping it catchy enough to singalong to.
A TEXTBOOK TRAGEDY
intimidator (2008/DISTORT)
POST-HARDCORE. "intimidator" is an elbow to the face that will leave any aggressive music fan with a bloodlust for more. "if you want blood.." shows the band's base in hardcore but the seeds of technical development are also planted, demonstrating their desire to reach beyond. Things begin to blossom into a DILLINGER-esque vine and their roots are strengthened by subsequent song "intimidator". This album won't give you one second to rest, constantly keeping your ears fixated on the prize.
ABSIDIA / SIX REASONS TO KILL
split (2002/PER KORO)
METALCORE/DEATH-METAL. Like a golem made out of clay, these ABSIDIA songs turn into an uncontrolable monster, gaining more and more power, raging, defacing, killing, devastating. But unlike the golem, these songs will endure. ABSIDIA combine profound emotions and pure violence, heartbreaking melodies and mindgrinding mosh, godgiven life and soulripping death! These guys manage to melt the misanthropic malice of mighty CARCASS and the high speed impact of AT THE GATES to a homogeneous piece of metal, perfectly produced by Dirk Kusche (Mörser, Systral, Acme...). SIX REASONS TO KILL return with a 4 song masterpiece of brutality and heaviness. Bulldozer-riffings and a wall of brutality and heaviness show the bands consequent process in songwriting and performing as a band. Their follow up to "kiss the demon" supprises with even more energy, power and groove, which normally bands like BOLT THROWER use to have. The layout is outstanding. Vinyl comes with a huge booklet. Feel free to die! [PK #036.5]
ACACIA STRAIN, THE
continent (2008/PROSTHETIC)
METALCORE. Springfield's THE ACACIA STRAIN continue to bludgeon ears with "continent", another metallic hardcore monster chock full of breakdowns and growls, combining the technical side of COALESCE with the pure thunderous aggression of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE. THE ACACIA STRAIN are back and the band doesn't disappoint one bit. DoLP version includes 2 additional bonus tracks.
ACROSS FIVE APRILS
life underwater (2008/VICTORY)
POST-HARDCORE. ACROSS FIVE APRILS' intense, dark and melodic post-hardcore is nothing short of breathtaking. It's an impressive and cathartic style of hard music that brings groundbreaking bands like REFUSED and GLASSJAW to mind and updates it for the next wave of post-hardcore fans."life underwater" combines a biting, raw style of melodic hardcore with a bold, spiteful message that shuns dogmatic thinking and encourages the listener to take a stand and question authority. The band is honest and unapologetic about their opposition against the church and state and they plan on taking this message further and to a larger audience.
ADAM DOVE
aftershock (2001/DOGHOUSE)
SINGER/SONGWRITER. The guitarist of CHAMBERLAIN and SPLIT LIP with his debut solo full-length. "after shock" deliver 12 emotional singer/songwriter tracks.
AGENCY, THE
turn (2007/PERCH)
INDIE/EMO-ROCK. "turn" is THE AGENCY's 3rd release following 1997's "rock to the apocalypse" and 1999's "engines". The record chronicles love, loss and leaving in heartfelt vignettes that THE AGENCY has worked at perfecting since forming in 1995. Growing up in the cohesive, oftentimes incestuous local music scene of south Florida, drummer/vocalist Mike Marsh, (DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL, SEVILLE) guitarist Klaus Ketelhohn and bass player/vocalist, Chris Drueke (SEVILLE) have played music together, in one form or another, for the better part of a decade. "turn" shows tremendous growth for all of THE AGENCY's players. Tracks bounce in many forms musically, hinting at chant-worthy power pop, tight and quick-pulsed indie-rock, and introspective, well versed storytelling in the vein of well-worn JAWBREAKER and BEN FOLDS.




