- KYS: 86
- User: 80
- 83
The Sword - Warp Riders
Combine an old school rock sentiment, a modern metal twist and an intergalactic science fiction narrative and you have all the ingredients for Warp Riders. It’s bold, raw and has a stripped back sound akin to a couple of heavily bearded dudes just bashing out songs in their garage on the same instruments that they grew up playing. There are no radio ballads or self-indulgent symphonic cock rock moments of ego here. Instead, The Sword have an agenda on Warped Riders that’s geared towards playing a gutsy blend of hard rock- and they stick to that agenda with unflinching conviction.
- KYS: 94
- User: 90
- 92
Comeback Kid - Symptoms + Cures
“Symptoms + Cures” is a great return for Comeback Kid, masterfully combining the emotion and infectious heaviness of previous efforts with a new found punk rock style. Having matured significantly both lyrically and musically, “Symptoms + Cures” truly consolidate CBK’s privileged position on the hardcore food chain.
- KYS: 69
- User: 90
- 80
Ceremony - Rohnert Park
Put down your fists, unclench your teeth - this is not the Ceremony record you expected. No powerviolence beats, no shredding power chords. This is not a hardcore/punk release, this is an old school punk record. And though Ceremony’s most recent LP, Rohnert Park showcases their punk roots and demonstrates they truly know what’s up within this genre, its matured style may deter the common fan and avid thrash enthusiast. If the raw and bland production doesn’t stray this from modern extreme music, then the monotonous repetition of down-tempo verses and one-dimensional riffs may very well do so. Whilst change is an essential part of everything, for Ceremony, change may have lost a loyal follower. Ultimately for past fans, Rohnert Park is undoubtedly the parting sea of their audience - dividing contemporary listeners of violent music from mature followers of old school ethics.
- KYS: 89
- User: N/A
- 89
Blkout - No Justice No Peace
While the four tracks that make up Blkout’s No Justice No Peace 7” are definitely cast from the same mould as the material we heard on their 2009 release Total Depravity, it would be folly to assume that these songs could be slotted in amongst the LP tracks unnoticed. Rather, this record is everything that the album provided and more - a remarkable improvement on an already esteemed style of hardcore.
- KYS: 59
- User: 10
- 34
The Secret Handshake - Night & Day
Now that I’ve gotten over my qualms about catchy scenester pop, I would’ve much rathered that The Secret Handshake had stuck to their old style. This album isn’t entirely bad, but weird and very cringey in parts. Like hip hop or reggae, soul is best left to the experts which for obvious reasons tend to be in the most part black. Ultimately this release is totally self-indulgent. This dude clearly thought he’d shock the alternative music world with his genius, but its all just a bit lame.
- KYS: 75
- User: 60
- 68
Murderdolls - Women and Children Last
After eight years, the Murderdolls have risen from the grave (so to speak) and delivered an album that while lacking substance is more than made up for by its entertaining, sincere and provoking nature. There’s not much in the way of progression but when you’re a band like the Murderdolls there are more pressing priorities. Well worth a look in.
- KYS: 70
- User: 65
- 68
Bad More Ending - Theory of Endless Sacrifice
When proceedings have filtered through to the listener, ‘Theory of Endless Sacrifice’ will offer some solid moments but ultimately still fall into the growing pile of contemporary metal releases that inevitably blend in to one another.
- KYS: 78
- User: N/A
- 78
Frontier(s) - The Plains
“The Plains” imposes a delightful first impression to a band that is worth giving a moment of your time to. The band’s debut album “There Will Be No Miracles Here” has just been released, and if this two-song teaser is any indication, the album will be turning even more heads. Support No Sleep Records.
- KYS: 81
- User: N/A
- 81
Settle For Less - Greetings
A very solid release from the band, hinting at the potential they have to release something great in the future. While it isn't quite going to do for the band what "Kingston" did for Title Fight, it should put them on peoples radars and generate interest for what they do next. Either/Or are onto a winner with this band.
- KYS: 93
- User: 100
- 96
Transit - Keep This To Yourself
Transit’s latest release, ‘Keep This To Yourself’ explores the depth of their genre, revealing there is so much more to pop/punk than corny sing-alongs and three-chord songs. Whilst the complexity and polished nature of each track may lose the raw simplicity that captured early fans in previous releases, those not inclined to this direction will be made up for in a vast range of avid and mature listeners. It is undoubtable that the magic-makers of this band have redefined what it means to be a ‘pop/punk kid’ and elevated the status of this genre to far greater heights. For all those left in tears and smiles after listening to a purchased copy of this release, then “Maybe you got what you deserved”.
