Touche Amore - Is Survived By (2013)

Punk and hardcore haven't really swayed me as much as others but I do enjoy it from time to time. This album is probably one I'll be turning to when I'm in the mood for simple hardcore that eschews the intensity of bands like Converge and Dillinger Escape Plan for something a lot closer to mainstream rock. It's far from revolutionary, but it seems to get the job done as far as accomplishing its modest goals. That said, I think some more variation could have really improved it. There are some unique, more laid-back songs such as "Non-Fiction" but there's really note enough variety to keep my interest throughout. Ditto on the vocals. They're very monotone and, as controversial as this might sound, the singer probably should have added some clean singing to spice things up. Aside from these criticisms, it's a decent album that should appeal to most fans of punk and hardcore.

7.5/10

Night Verses - Lift Your Existence (2013)

2013 is a banner year for hardcore and metalcore and this album is probably the primary example of that. It's pretty rare to hear a new band hit it out of the park with their first album, but that's exactly what happens on Lift Your Existence. It's an exciting, dynamic record filled with very proggy riffs and drumming, excellent vocals, and some beautiful post-rock inspired clean parts. It's a very long album (15 songs with one of them topping 10 minutes), but it feels so tight and well-constructed that the length isn't really an issue. Plus, all the songs have catchy moments and are very memorable in their own right. I also detect a heavy dose of inspiration from Tool and Deftones so if you're into those bands then you should definitely give this album a shot. All in all, Lift Your Existence is one of the most technically competent and thrilling hardcore/metalcore albums I've heard yet and might just be my album of the year in that genre (though it does face stiff competition from Absent Light).
9.5/10

 

Dillinger Escape Plan - One of Us is the Killer (2013)

I've never been a huge fan of this band, but this album might just help to turn that around. It's an aggressive, technical, chaotic, in-your-face thrill ride that left me seriously impressed with the band's incredibly tight playing. I have no idea how they stay in formation with all the insanity going on, but they do and it all works out to form some pretty awesome music. What's really the selling point for me is how they blend the mindbending riffs with really catchy, melodic moments which appear frequently throughout. In fact, I don't think I've heard any other band do that quite so well. Then again, I don't know if I've even heard anything similar to DEP. If you want to hear some unique, highly unorthodox music then this is the ticket.
9.5/10

Burst - Lazarus Bird (2008)

Well, it's been a while since I reviewed an older album so having just listened to this slice of awesomeness, I figured: Why not? Simply put, this is a magnificent piece of progressive wizardry with an aggressive hardcore attitude. The most notable aspects of this album are riffs which are some of the best I've heard in ages as well as the clean sections which are absolutely spellbinding. The only reason I won't give this a 10 is because a few of the songs meander a bit too much and the vocals are a tad underwhelming at times. Aside from that though, this band can easily hold its own against the progressive hardcore greats (don't know if that label applies, but I can't think of any other way to describe them) such as Isis, Mastodon, Baroness, and Converge. I was pretty much blown away starting from track one and continued to be so throughout. I really hope this band gets off their hiatus or whatever their situation is and makes another full-length. In the meantime, I'll be digging through their back catalog hoping to find something as good as or even better than this album (not sure if that's even possible though).
9.5/10

 

Nails - Abandon All Life (2013)

As with Nails debut "Unsilent Death," their second effort is no less brutal and violent. In fact, it might be even more so. It's an uncompromising, crushing album that will make your ears bleed and your head bang. It may be closer to hardcore punk than metal, but that doesn't stop it from being one of the heaviest albums I've ever heard. Definitely check this one out, but don't say I didn't warn you.

9/10

Pennywise - All or Nothing (2012)

Despite a vocalist replacement, Pennywise continue to prove that they can make straightforward, but effective punk rock. Most of the songs on this album are excellent and all of them are at least good. Definitely a punk highlight for last year.
9/10

 

Hatebreed - The Divinity of Purpose (2013)

Having never really heard much of this band before I listened to this album, I have to say that I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, there's a lot of good melodeath-sounding riffs and fairly tight songs. On the other hand, some of songs are rather bland, and the cliche "tough-guy" image along with the "tough-guy" lyrics kinda poison the well on this album. That's not to say it's a bad album. It's just my stylistic preference, but if you like it then, hey, that's great.
7.5/10

 

Martyrdod - Paranoia (2012)

If you want vicious, uncompromising d-beat (Swedish crust punk) then this album is a fine choice. However, be warned that it is at times monotonous, especially on the longer songs. If the band had chosen to make a shorter record, I think it would have packed even more of a punch, but as it is this is still a solid and brutal slice of punk that for the most part won't disappoint you.
8/10

Bad Religion - True North (2013)

The punk legends have returned with yet another excellent release. If there's anything this band is known for, it's consistency and this album continues the band's trademark melodic, fast-paced style. Per usual, the songs are all very catchy and the lyrics are quite thought-provoking. It's exactly how good punk music should sound, and it's a testament to the longevity and seemingly endless creativity of this great band.
9.5/10

 

The Casualties - Resistance (2012)

As far as punk albums goes, this one is very solid. There's non-stop aggression and catchy riffs. It gets a bit samey at times which detracts from it, but I suppose that's how punk albums typically go. But that's ok since this is a really awesome punk band that infuses their sound with metal. Probably one of the best hardcore bands I've heard besides Rise Against.
9/10

 

Coheed and Cambria - The Second Stage Turbine Blade (2002)

This is a very solid debut from an excellent band, and it displays their punk/emo roots most prominently. Of course, it's still progressive, but it's not quite as developed as the band's later works. That said, this album should by no means be skipped. It's still a pretty fun listen.
8.5/10

Converge - All We Love We Leave Behind (2012)

For my first proper Converge album, this is a pretty decent one with some of the most brutal hardcore I've heard. There are some nice Mastodon-esque prog riffs and sludgey vocals, but overall I'm not totally sold on the band. I think they do have potential though and I'll definitely have to check out some of their more esteemed works such as Jane Doe.
8/10

 

Black Breath - Sentenced to Life (2012)

This is a perfect combination of hardcore punk and death metal. The guitars sound like old school Swedish DM and the vocals are positively punk. Lots of great riffs and all around a fun record to listen to.
8.5/10

 

Nails - Unsilent Death (2010)

It's fast, short and incredibly brutal. This is hardcore punk taken to its extreme. Nuff said.
9/10