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/

Supertouch "Lost My Way"

Supertouch/Post-hardcore fans rejoice! Supertouch are back with this gem of a 7 inch and yeah, it rules.

I recieved a flyer for "Lost My Way" some months ago after ordering something from RevHQ and since then I've been waiting to rock this shit. The artwork alone had me wondering what the hell this would sound like.

The opening track "Lost My Way" introudces the band back into our ears with a dreamlike guitar line and tribal drumbeats. Classic Supertouch. The vocals distant and awash in distortion, drums pusling a jungle beat bigger than life guitars.

Tracks 2 and 3, "Just These Days" and "Get On, Get On" really pick up the tempo and the melody. Energetic and catchy rock.

The final track is the real winner though. "Now That You're Far From Home" brings together the best of the first 3 tracks and leaves you wanting more. It is an epic rocker about leaving home and forging your own way. Again, the chorus is catchy as all hell and the guitars accompany the vocals perfectly.

Pick up the record and try and catch them if you are fortunate enough to have them stop near your hometown.

http://www.reaper-records.com/

Touche Amore/Graf Orlock @ The Smell 1.16.11

On this particular Sunday night, a tiny dive in downtown Los Angeles was packed full of a bunch of hardcore kids and two of the most exciting bands from Southern California played. This was one of the Graf Orlock "Doombox" record release shows ( the other was held the following night at Chain Reaction) and Touche Amore supported them at this gig. If anyone has seen either of these two bands, then you know they always bring it when it comes to live shows. I was not disappointed.

I took some videos of Touche Amore and decided to post one. I was beyond excited when the band announced they were writing for their upcoming Deathwish release and they played two new songs. The new songs had a much more urgent feel to them and I cannot wait to hear what comes out this summer. Graf Orlock completly DESTROYED that night. I have seen them before but this was definately the best set I have seen them rampage through. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take any Graf videos.

Buy "Doombox" the packaging is fucking ridiculous.
http://www.vitriolrecords.bigcartel.com/product/graf-orlock-doombox-10-+trilogy-cd-vit013-preorder-12-17

Joyce Manor "Joyce Manor"

This record simply puts me in a great mood. It's catchy, fun, emotionally powerful, and it rocks hard. Coming out of Torrance, CA, Joyce Manor created a buzz with the "Constant Headache" demo they put out last year. Two of those tracks are featured on the bands newest full length on 6131 Records. For being this bands first run at an LP, its pretty impressive. Theres a lot to like about this album. The lyrics are smart and witty, the melodies bounce around playfully and will be trapped in your mind for days, the vocals are intensely passionate and it's short and to the point. Some might have a problem with that last note but personally I tend to think, the shorter, the better. It doesn't leave any room for getting borded or played out. Another thing to love about this record; it carries with it the kind of emotion you would find in any of 10,000 emo/indie bands out there without making you feel like a whimp for listening to it. No matter how hard it tuggs at your heart, it maintains a sense of humor and honesty that anyone can relate to.

It is only January and we already have a front runner for Best Album of 2011. Hot damn.

Buy this now.

http://hellfishfamily.com/products/details/joyce-manor-st-12

Seahaven "Ghost"

I had heard a lot about this band and decided to give it a listen. Apparently Seahaven features a former member of Final Fight in the band. This band has no resemblence at all to Final Fight's melodic-hardcore attack. Instead Ghost sounds more like your usual indie/emo record. And it's a damn good one at that.

This is titled as an EP but it has 7 songs and they are all of a long length. I can't complain the longer the songs, the more insight I get into what this band is about. Soaring choruses, clean guitar passages jammed together with shimmering scales. Deeply personal lyrics sung with the power of the "hook" in mind. By track 5 the record begins to drag but then the next track, "Love" hits with it's catchy pop sensibilities and brings it back on track. Ghost is a very enjoyable listen. Im not really a fan of the artwork though. It seems like they were trying a little to hard to be different but really it's nothing we havent already seen . But that is besides the point. It's a great EP. If you are into Brand New or a band somewhere along those lines, this is for you.

My vote...

Tis the season for everyone to cast their votes on which record they thought was the best of 2010. Well this is mine: Integrity's The Blackest Curse. I haven't seen it on many other people's lists and that's a shame. It recieved a lot of favorable reviews upon release but I feel like it didn't get much recognition. This record is exactly what you'd hope for a genre defining band such as Integrity to sound like in the new decade. It is all at once evil, epic and heavy as all holy terror.

I am an Integrity fan. Some people love them, hate them or just don't care enough about them to pick a side. This is one of the most storied bands in hardcore for better or worse. To me, the music has always withstood all of the rumors and negative attention this band gets. That is why this album was so exciting to me. I didn't have many high expectations for it and I was completely floored once the record came in the mail. It's as if all of the material of Integrity 2000 and it's kind didn't even exist. It feels like such a natural progression of their old material while still keeping up with the times.

The album opener "Process of Illumination" lets you know whats in store. Another classic creepy sound clip, another punishingly evil riff and more indecipherable Dwid vocals. Some suprises on the record; the epic and hauntingly beautiful metal of "Through the Shadows of Forever" and the exotic dueling guitar solo's of "Spiderwoven".

The record only came with a poster so I couldn't tell you what the hell the lyrics are about and quite frankly even if I did I probably wouldn't get it. While on the subject of that giant poster, I 'd just like to say that the album artwork perfectly matches this record. It's dark, grainy, and scary because I have no idea what it is or where it came from. Much the same with these 10 songs. It's hard to pin-point what kind of genre of fans this record would please. Upon first listen you can hear classic Integrity metalcore, speed metal, and dare I say, traces of black metal are definately present.

What I'm saying is that The Blackest Curse stands on it's own and no other ecord in 2010 sounded like it. I was a little disappointed that the band didn't play any new tracks off of this record at either of their 2 SoCal shows that they played this year. And say what you will about Integrity playing as a scab lineup, it's still fun to see those classic songs played out to a packed room of fans chanting along.

Put aside all of the BS that gets thrown around messageboards and blogs revolving around Integrity and listen. Truth is that this record killed it and this is what you should remember this band for.