http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/ Punk, Hardcore, Metal, Alternative Music News, Interviews and Reviews! http://www.killyourstereo.com/images/generic/kys.rss.image.jpg http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/ 100 112 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/902/the-forecast-everybody-left/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/902/the-forecast-everybody-left/ Considering few have probably heard of this band, and the fact that they run their ship in a fairly DIY fashion, it is hard to believe that this mainstream-like sound is done for anything other than the purest reasons. This makes ‘Everybody Left,’ along with most other Forecast records, quite an enjoyable little listen. Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:06:12 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/901/cancer-bats-dead-set-on-living/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/901/cancer-bats-dead-set-on-living/ The interesting thing about Cancer Bats insistence on attempting this range of genres is that there isn't a single one that they don't do well. The fact that they have chosen to keep each style a little more separate from the others this time round is actually a good thing in a way, and makes 'Dead Set On Living' one of their finest releases. Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:42:53 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/900/toy-boats-diamond-teeth/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/900/toy-boats-diamond-teeth/ Definitely not one to please the purist hardcore punters, whether Resist Records’ signing of a young singer-songwriter will pay off is yet to be seen. With artwork that looks great, a set of fairly accessible acoustic tunes, and the best label in Australian hardcore and punk behind it, “Diamond Teeth” might just be 2012’s most stylish first release from a songsmith impressive beyond his years. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:30:56 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/899/william-beckett-walk-the-talk-ep/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/899/william-beckett-walk-the-talk-ep/ A solo career is the true test for William Beckett to see if he is the rock star and capable musician that The Academy Is... made him out to be. Whilst this EP is too small an offering to see if the songwriter can actually walk the talk, it's not a bad start. Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:39:52 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/898/the-bride-ambassadors/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/898/the-bride-ambassadors/ The Bride have continued their winning streak with ‘Ambassadors’, a new release that continues to shift their sound away from the complex, metalcore-infused style of their earliest material. Rooted in the conventions of hardcore, the single is fun, melodic and accessible, whilst still maintaining a harsher, metallic edge that helps to give the band a personality of their own. Thu, 12 Apr 2012 04:09:42 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/895/i-call-fives-someone-thats-not-you/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/895/i-call-fives-someone-thats-not-you/ 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. Tue, 10 Apr 2012 06:46:00 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/897/pelican-ataraxiataraxis/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/897/pelican-ataraxiataraxis/ Pelican know how to craft special little journeys on their EPs and 'Ataraxia/Taraxis' is one of their finest. The dynamics that are featured in such a short amount of time are brilliant and this is not one to miss for lovers of instrumental music. Sun, 08 Apr 2012 18:27:38 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/896/high-on-fire-de-vermis-mysteriis/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/896/high-on-fire-de-vermis-mysteriis/ Compared to their past efforts, this is one of High On Fire's most brutal records, and one that represents the band's live sound extremely well. Its complex plot line sounds far more magical when explained by the band than the lyrics get across, but really, you are coming hear to have your head torn off by the guitars more than anything else and they will do exactly that. Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:18:35 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/894/warbrain-paranoia/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/894/warbrain-paranoia/ Amongst a cohort of bands like Phantoms and Relentless playing heavier, tougher hardcore, Warbrain are already looking to be a mainstay of the genre’s future in this country. “Paranoia”, while not doing much more than reinventing the wheel, is a solid and very listenable debut. If this is an Australian hardcore release that you’ve been sleeping on, get with it. Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:13:59 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/893/ofwgkta-the-of-tape-vol-2/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/893/ofwgkta-the-of-tape-vol-2/ It’s hard to know what to make of this album. On ‘The OF Tape Vol. 2’, California hip-hop collective Odd Future have neglected the wide spectrum and unpredictable stylistic changes that made previous posse album ‘Radical’ such an entertaining mixtape. The result is an 18-track effort that is much less than the sum of the group’s parts, hampered by sub-standard, lazily produced beats and samey verses laced with shamelessly transparent gimmicks. Several amazing tracks may lift the mood, but it is not enough to redeem the droll mess surrounding them. Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:13:23 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/892/the-all-american-rejects-kids-in-the-street/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/892/the-all-american-rejects-kids-in-the-street/ Overall the album is refreshing. The band have tried to move away from the straight up power pop they have created and inject some rock n roll into the mix. The addition of extra instruments also helps to make the sound fuller and layered and helps to rejuvenate the energy when it is lacking. However, for the most part the listener is left waiting for something big and exciting to happen and the moment never eventuates. Beginning fun, edgy and full of attitude, it quickly becomes dull, before ending beautifully. Nevertheless, AAR have moved forward with this release, showing that they are not grounded in power pop anymore. If only the middle section was removed. Sun, 01 Apr 2012 21:46:36 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/891/the-used-vulnerable/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/891/the-used-vulnerable/ I’ve never really considered myself a fan of The Used, having only casually dabbled in some of their earlier hits like “The Bird and The Worm”, but ‘Vulnerable’ is a surprisingly diverse, eclectic and electrifying record that should do well to please long-term listeners. It might even do enough to hook in a few new fans, who knows? It won’t win any album of the year accolades, but it’s a serviceable album from a crafty veteran that continues to teach itself new tricks. Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:24:16 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/890/tram-lingua-franca/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/890/tram-lingua-franca/ 'Lingua Franca' is sure to be under-appreciated and its charm is most likely going to go over-the-top of most metal and punk purists heads. But, for the discernible listener this is a brilliantly concise and considered album. Who said jazz couldn't thrive within a metal domain? Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:37:29 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/889/meshuggah-koloss/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/889/meshuggah-koloss/ Wordsmiths are going to have fun creating attention-grabbing and witty analogies to describe the sheer devastation that is 'Koloss'. "It is heavier than…" [insert analogy]. But, we'll just stop short and call this deliberate, innovative and once again forward-thinking music that delivers effectively. You know Meshuggah are too humble and sincere to gloat, but you almost have to laugh at how they continually put daylight between them and similar bands that are trying so hard to bridge the gap. Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:57:21 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/888/shinedown-amaryllis/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/888/shinedown-amaryllis/ I’ve heard bad records before, and this isn’t necessarily one of them. It’s just a few strokes below par for a clearly capable Shinedown. It has one or two songs that might resonate with you, but other than that, it’s as forgettable as it is disappointing. Sun, 01 Apr 2012 12:46:51 +1000 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/887/say-anything-anarchy-my-dear/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/887/say-anything-anarchy-my-dear/ With the promise of an edgier punk record and the hope of a return to the old days, expectations for Say Anything’s sixth studio album, Anarchy, My Dear were set high well before it’s release. What fans, and listeners alike, will find on this record may not be exactly what they expected but they will find their feet tapping along anyway. At times you might scratch your head as Bemis and co. blur the line between societal criticisms and confessional outpouring of grandiose gestures of love, but once the record stops playing you will be left with something to think about. Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:38:01 +1100 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/886/the-mars-volta-noctourniquet/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/886/the-mars-volta-noctourniquet/ There really isn't much point to saying what is good or bad about this record, Mars Volta albums don't work that way. Plus, and above all, The Mars Volta won't listen, they will just continue on, doing what they do and you are either on board or non-existent in their world. Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:14:44 +1100 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/885/lacuna-coil-dark-adrenaline/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/885/lacuna-coil-dark-adrenaline/ If you’re a Coil enthusiast, you can rejoice. They’ve paid respect to their roots and have put out their most explosive and dark record since ‘Karmacode’. It’s not woven from the same silky satin and does have a few frayed ends, but it’s a compelling quilt while it lasts. Wait, what? Lacuna Coil is back on the right path. Plus, a good R.E.M. cover? Come on, guys. Sun, 25 Mar 2012 22:30:16 +1100 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/884/sharks-no-gods/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/884/sharks-no-gods/ Sharks have surpassed any expectations I had and have rekindled a love of punk music that has been dormant in me since the release of the last great Bad Religion record. It’s a record full of potential number-one hits, but I simply can’t go past “On a Clear Day...” as I mentioned earlier. It’s a microcosm of what ‘No Gods’ is all about – a bit of brash, catchy fun. If you consider yourself even the mildest of punk enthusiast, get around Sharks. They’re going to be a big deal. Sun, 25 Mar 2012 19:58:54 +1100 http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/883/i-see-stars-digital-renegade/ http://www.killyourstereo.com/reviews/883/i-see-stars-digital-renegade/ 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. Fri, 23 Mar 2012 01:58:19 +1100