Crime Desire-Alone In A Dream 12"

The sequel to last years EVERYDAY IN CHAINS. Crime Desire deliver more death rock inspired hardcore that will leave you breathless. 5 songs this time around a few scorchers and a couple of slower songs that showcase the bands signature warmth and slightly goth atmosphere. Its safe to say this band has found their niche, but every release still leaves me excited to see whats next, ALONE IN A DREAM is no exception.

A split release from Life's A Rape and Gravity Records.

Yadokai-S/T 7"

Fantastic disconnected hardcore. The debut 7" from this bay area super group does not disappoint. Hidden within the white noise and feedback are 4 punishing tunes. Always frantic and never predictable. The band pulls influence from Japanese hardcore as well as their own more current bands, creating a close to perfect blend of old and new. Ugly hardcore done right.

Video Disease Records spared no expense on the packaging as the covers and inserts are of great quality.

http://www.videodisease.com/
http://sterileenvironment.blogspot.com/

Slobs-Look Busy Do Nothing 7"

Slob like hardcore with a nihilistic attitude similar to Poison Idea(especially the vocals). This is the Slobs debut 7" and i think it pretty much sums up what the band is all about. Four short songs each with something different to offer, so the whole thing isn't like hearing the same song again and again which is usually the case with bands like this. I will say that the recording could of been a little more intense though, its a little on the flat side.

All in all if you put this thing on full blast you'll be in party mode in no time. I look forward to hearing more from these guys and am curious to see where they take this.

Released by Cowabunga Records with a 100 on muddy brown vinyl.

Culo-Toxic Vision 7"

Culo's best work so far. Take the hardcore craziness from the first 7" and the punk as fuck beats and attitude from Military Trend and there you have Toxic Vision. Sure bands like this aren't re-creating the hardcore formula but this shit was done right. The title track is the perfect end to this record and is sure to get stuck in your head. This should of been a one sided 12" so i wouldn't have to flip it over so much.

Released on Deranged Records with two limited colors.

http://derangedrecords.com/

Muerte A La Muerte-Demo 2010

MALM is a punk group from Spain, I don't know too much more about them. A simple yet effect approach MALM rips through five songs of traditional punk while pulling inspirations from euro d-beat, 80's U.S. hardcore and even some modern stuff. Reverb drenched vocals shout and lash out at their violent surroundings while the music supplies familiar beats and riffs. There is a sixth song on the tape which is an instrumental with some weird recording tricks and loops played in the back round.

This is great straight up hardcore that also has many personal touches and from exchanging a few emails and with these guys i can tell that they are very passionate about what they do. You can check out Muerte a la Muerte on their blog and while your there check out some old hardcore footage they have uploaded.

This tape was self released.

http://muertealamuertevlc.blogspot.com/

School Jerks-Control EP

Third Ep from these Canadian party animals. Still a very strong early FLAG influence(sorry dudes) but this time around there is a more straight up rock sound and less Ginn guitar flare. The recording is very gritty and sounds like it could of been done in a 1982 California. I mentioned in the review of their 2nd EP that the vocals pretty much did what they wanted and floated over the music, though there still are elements of this on the new record the vocals this time around are a little more catchy and go with the flow of the songs more. The "We don't care" vibe is still in tact though and trust me this band is not faking it.

Fans of this band wont need to read any reviews of this record as they know exactly what they are getting into but if you haven't checked out School Jerks yet I suggest you do it as their records tend to fly off the shelf. Buy now or cry later.

Released by Cowabunga records with 100 on clear.

www.cowabungarecords.com/store

Francis Harold And The Holograms-Back With A Bang 12" EP

Its exactly what it says it is only given the Francis Harold treatment. Its probably the perfect release for these guys cause at the heart of everything they do is a true love and appreciation for rock n roll and kbd classics. Not much else to say.

Limited to 115 with screen printed covers. Bug Branden if you want one.

Sweet Tooth-Japanese Void EP

Alright three words come to mind: Violent, frantic, and abrasive. Not bad for a debut 7" amiright? This is a pretty good ensemble. The vocalist comes off completely manic, the bass has that cutting like sound, the guitar arrangements can go from simple to layered in a matter of seconds and the drums hold everything together and then tear everything apart when needed.

Some small influences can be detected, there is a slight Japanese hardcore vibe as well as an early American sound(leaning towards Deep Wound) and for some reason this really reminds me of the first Oath 7". Add a tuff breakdown or two for flavor and that pretty much sums it up. I think people who are really fanatics about hardcore would appreciate this record too.

Released by Cowabunga Records with 100 pressed on coke bottle clear vinyl. Get it before its gone nerds.

http://www.cowabungarecords.com/store/