With 'Cost of Living', Incendiary deliver a very solid, ferocious metallic hardcore record with a distinct sound drawn from a variety of influences. Along with Nails' most recent effort 'Abandon All Life', 'Cost of Living' ultimately proves one of the more hard-hitting hardcore records to be released so far this year.

Iceage seem like a band quite set on doings things "their way" and playing by their own rules. 'You're Nothing' has the Danish outfit polish up on their sound to craft an album that retains the excitement of their first album, while growing more intriguing, accessible and ultimately - enjoyable.

Perhaps "going strong" was a presumptuous line ... "plodding on" is more appropriate. It's certainly not a bad EP, and the production is quite exceptional for another self-release from the band. However, they seem to be lacking direction and clinging to long-dead trends. Regardless of how close they may be firing to their target market, it just seems like drudgery. You would only recommend this album to someone already familiar with the band for nostalgia's sake, as one can't see this decade's kids picking up on it.

Regardless of genre labelling, this is a mediocre album. I Am Abomination's technical ability is impressive, but their songwriting does not match. The band has no end of potential, but the album just went by in a blur. 
However, if you like Protest The Hero and all your songs sounding the same, by all means check out I Am Abomination. 

‘Outlive You All’ offers no surprises. But, putting context into our analysis, this is an overwhelmingly positive statement. The album is no-nonsense, fundamental music. The full-length does not prioritise with complexity. Bleeding Through and Atreyu fans will love the debut offering, while neutral listeners should find reason to equally engage.

On their third EP, I Call Fives have married the styles of their previous releases together, creating a pop punk sound that is fast, full of energy and highly accessible. The result is a four-track effort layered with diversity, taking the listener on a short, memorable journey of breakneck punk, slow-burning ballads and even an experimentation with acoustic songwriting. ‘Something That’s Not You’ is I Call Fives at their most adventurous.

When bands put out two albums in a short space of time there is always the danger of the latter seeming rushed. I See Stars seem to have fallen into that trap with their third release, Digital Renegade. In an attempt to be “heavier” after the more pop-punk effort of 2011, The End Of The World Party, the extra breakdowns and screaming mixed with electronica unfortunately fall short of culminating in an album showing true progression and growth. Older fans of the band and fans of the genre will be pleased, but from the neutral its lack of inventive songwriting is disappointing.

‘Proper’ is Weiss’ first “real” full length release and the time and work that the songwriter has taken to get to it have really paid off. There is plenty of diversity between the tracks to keep things interesting and enough moments that will get stuck in your head begging for repeated listens.

There don’t seem to have been many solid local hardcore releases so far this year, something which “Hell Split Wide Open” remedies well. Despite the fact that more time to fill has meant that this album lacks the punchiness of its predecessor, sharper production and just enough progression means that this impressive first release is everything it should be. If “Hell Split” is anything to go by, Iron Mind are well on their way to being the next big thing in Australian hardcore.

There is absolutely no in-between here. Love it or leave it seems to be the most fitting and prevailing assumption. However, 'Ruining it for Everybody' will present some solid, interesting and perhaps even mesmerising moments if you can set aside any prejudices about how a traditional metal band should conduct themselves.