Foundation "When The Smoke Clears"

For a good while now Foundation has been putting out some great releases and are now one of the biggest bands proudly carrying the torch for hardcore and straight edge in the new decade. When The Smoke Clears has been out for a good couple of months now but I just haven't gotten around to sitting down and writing about it. The damn thing has been on constant rotation though.

Chugging guitars, galloping rhythms and neanderthal-like shouts bring down the hammer on this record. It's a heavy one to be sure. The album opens with "Purple Heart" a rager that cullminates in one of the best sing-alongs I've heard in a while. "Calloused" is the midpoint of the record and happens to be my favorite track it pounds and grooves it's way into my memory banks on a daily basis. After that track I found it hard to keep up though. Many of the songs begin to blend and sound like more of the same. Still, this is a great listen and these songs come off insanely well live.

Glad to see that Bridge 9 is still putting out some solid releases.
http://www.b9store.com/foundation

Touche Amore "Parting The Sea Between Brightness and Me"

One of the most promising new bands to come around in a while, finally make their Deathwish debut this week. Touche Amore's previous record, "...To the Beat of a Dead Horse" was a stunning debut but this record not only builds upon that success but pushes the band to the forefront of modern melodic hardcore.

One thing that was definately lacking with the bands first LP was a production big enough to handle all of the catchy hooks, witty lines and giant sing alongs. In a way it gave the record it's own sound and feel. Still, "Parting The Sea..." sounds much bigger and brighter, and is all the more better for it. The twangy guitar chords stand out and hold up well against the wall of distortion of the rhythm guitar. Elliot Babin's drumming brings these songs to a new level of energy and excitement (if you've seen them live you know what I mean) and it translates well to wax.

The lyrics;oh the lyrics. They are the one thing that really sets this band apart and is what has won them such a rabid following. Reading more like entries in the jornal of a very angry, sad and apathetic young man then most make believe emotions you hear being spewed ou these days, these songs are wallowing in the muck of damaged goods. But what keeps these songs from becoming overbearing and pitiful is the cleverness in whch they are delivered. It takes a lot of skill to convey all of this emotion, make it rhyme and then force the listener to smirk at the wordplay being screamed into the headphones. Words flow into one another and then before you know it you've entered a new song ("Uppers/Downers"-"Crutch"), proof of the bands impecable matching of music and lyrics.

One great record. It's been on repeat for a few days and shall continue to be.


Here is some video I took at the record release show this week. The song is called "Pathfinder" and it's one of the strongest tracks on the record.

Plagues "Demo 2011"

Picked up this little disc after a show a couple of nights ago. I dug the album art and hoped the music would be just as cool. I was pleasently surprised with what came out of my car stereo. Plagues is a new band based out of Orange County. Apparently they havent even played a show yet which is surprising because the recording is quite good. Kind of hard to categorize. I hear a slight Trash Talk infulence (insert "Plagues" reference?) mixed in with a bit of everything else in modern hardcore. Chaotic, heavy, and at times melodic.

7 song demo. Download it. They have some shows lined up that you should not miss. One more great band coming out of Southern California.
http://www.mediafire.com/?9l0b7j9vlcpj6h6

http://plagues.bandcamp.com/

Coke Bust "Degredation"

I've been digging this EP hard and yesterday I finally picked it up on wax. 6 tracks of blink-and-you'll-miss-it, straight edge fastcore. That's a mouthful but the music speaks for itself. It grinds, chugs, and blasts it's way into your ear canal. Lyrically it runs the gamut from scene politics, rallying against drug lords, and class war. A great representation of all that is good with pissed off hardcore/punk.

Grave Mistake Records
http://www.gravemistakerecords.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3605

Cold Cave "Cherish The Light Years"

The perfect soundtrack to your broken heart, bitter memories, darkened skies and longing for better days has arrived. Cold Cave's progression from at home noise recording project to masters of romantic pop songs has reached a new level with Cherish The Light Years.

Wes Elsoid's super project which features collaborations from pop maestro/Glassjaw singer Darryl Palumbo and of all unlikely guitar players, Hatebreed's Sean Martin, among others is a loud and jarring affair. The production is taken to 11 on this record with all of the various electronic instruments used to craft these songs being given center stage. At times it can be a little much but most of the time it only enhances the dramatic feel of the songs.

Beyond all of the noise heard on these 9 songs are true radio worthy pop songs. Big choruses are littered all over the place, the biggest of all being the most thrilling track "Underworld U.S.A.". Other songs such as "Burning Sage" push in a darker direction with droning drum beats, cold synths, and bleak lyrics like the closing chant "People want to know how we sleep at night/ We don't."

Everything about this record is big. It's hard to imagine Cold Cave not blowing up into a huge name in music. With songs this moody and so goddamn catchy, it would be a shame if they didn't.

http://www.matadorrecords.com/store/index.php?catalog_id=574

Defeater "Empty Days & Sleepless Nights"

One of the most anticpated records of 2011 has arrived and the hype is well deserved. I was blown away by Travels (best record of 2008) and I really enjoyed the Lost Ground EP. Now with the release of this record, it is clear that Defeater is one of the best bands in modern hardcore.

Introducing yourself to the world via a full length concept album is a ballsy move in the realm of hardcore but for this band it worked. Reason being, is that the music and the story that the music told was so god damn engaging and powerful.

With Empty Days... the story of a family torn apart buy a son's outburst of hatred towards his abusive father is continued, now as seen through the eyes of the brother who was left behind. It might seem like a little too much of the same story being played out but the music which is in every song chaotic, melodic, somber and cathartic, pushes the melodrama to new heights. It is completely engrossing in a way that you would expect from a novel or film; not a hardcore record.

The real suprise here is the strength of the acoustic tracks that finish the record. They make good on the promise of "The Prophet in Plain Clothes" off of Travels.

Still waiting for my vinyl but apparently the packaging for this record is nuts ( a 64 page book of lyrics and photos!?!). It's only fitting for a record this epic. This band has a real talent for songwriting that cannot be ignored. The vocals are tormented, drumming right on spot and the guitars anthemic and driving yet subdued when necessary. Do yourself a favor: refresh yourself on the story, buy this record, and lose yourself.

http://www.b9store.com/defeater

Not Sorry "Our Choices"

Without a doubt the best Straight Edge band coming out of Seattle (and the entire west coast for that matter), Not Sorry have dropped this little piece of knowledge on us and charge through five rampaging, finger-pointing, calls to action.

I have been jamming the demo songs for way too long and couldn't wait to hear some new material. BAM! here it is. I couldn't be happier with how these new songs sound.
The record starts with an instense buildup of an Intro (BREAK! and all)only to be followed up by track 2 "Tipping Point" a plea for change in our world,with a classic BUST! thrown in for good measure. The rest of the record blasts just as hard. "Lives We Lead" stands out with its swimming bass line and in your face message of "No apologies for the lives we lead!"

If you've heard anything this band has done before, then you know what to expect. Super fast circle pits, heavy ass breaks, over the top and unique vocals and socially concious lyrics. The production is awesome (still digging those superthick bass sounds!) and the layout is clean. Overall, a hell of an EP, once again proving why REACT! Records is one of the best hardcore labels in 2011 and that Not Sorry is on top of their game. Support the band, support the label and make a change!

http://notsorrycrew.blogspot.com/