Ecoli-Swarm On The Swine 7"

Ecoli is one of those bands that i feel has perfected their sound and just are really the only ones that can do what they do. "S.O.T.S" is probably the closest thing to a live set they have released, it's violent, brief, and can leave you wanting more. It is somewhat different from previous records which can be a good thing, i mean who really wants to sound exactly the same on every record, some of the best bands vary from album to album.

The recording this time around may have missed the mark. Its a little too noisy at times and the vocals(a key factor in what makes them so intense) are buried and can be hard to spot at times that they should shine.

Despite any small flaws this is truly an ugly record and for me the last song "Wind Chimes" stands out amongst the other two and sums up the dark and brooding mood of this very short record. As far as comparisons go(for those who have yet to hear this band)think Deep Wound meets the weirdness of "Animosity" era C.O.C and bands like United Mutation.

Ecoli are busy writing and recording a full length album which is very exciting as i am sure it will display everything these guys have in their arsenal. "Swarm On the Swine" was released on Stress Domain Records. 500 were pressed.

http://cannedchudgrowth.blogspot.com/
http://stressdomain.blogspot.com/

Mark Sheehan-RIP

Mark Sheehan was the lead singer of Out Cold. Out cold had been playing hardcore punk now for 20 years, their whole career they were one of the most underrated and overlooked bands. If you have any of their records take the time and really listen to them and im sure you will see that they stand in a league of their own. For those of you who have not heard Out Cold you have been missing out.

Mark Sheehan was 41 years old. RIP.

Sidetracked/Hummingbird Of Death-Split 6"

I'll begin with the HOD side of this split since thats how i played it. The first thing i heard from this band was the "Meaning of Haste" lp and to be honest at first there was just something about it that rubbed me the wrong way, it seemed like it was missing something but having said that, these 5 songs really caught me off guard. They are all super short fastcore anti anthems but yet very well crafted and usually played at breakneck speeds. It reminds me of when Municipal Waste was good(except these songs aren't about partying down). Its just a great combo of thrash, hardcore and a little bit of "Kill em all" type metal. The last track "Pear Shaped" even has a slight resemblance to the more dragging parts of the album "Bleach" by that one band.

The Sidetracked side leans a little more towards power-violence then metal. The songs are so short that its almost funny the first time around but after I got passed that I realized that these guys aren't fucking around and the songs leave quite an impact. Sidetracked mixes thrash and old hardcore breakdowns for results that are simply crushing and for a brief moment i even detected an abrasiveness similar to bands like Cold Sweat.

Kinda a long review for a short record, you can probably be done listening to it before you read all this. This split was released on the black coffee drinkin', life hatin', and curvy women lovin' Cowabunga Records. It is a must have for fans of blast beats and fastcore.

http://www.cowabungarecords.com/store/
http://www.hummingbirdofdeath.com/
http://www.myspace.com/sidetrackedhc

Urban Blight-Total War 7"

Urban Blight follow up their fantastic 12" e.p. with a 5 song 7" and once again i am left in a state of awe. The bands wall of noise and feedback makes these classic hardcore songs sound so full. "Total War" opens up with the out of control "Your Abuse" and blasts through the A-side mixing things up here and there with textbook breakdowns and a fair share of catchy mid temp parts. The B-side seals the deal with a well placed steady anthem, "Social Order", and the chaotic "Absolute Control". This thing is really well put together and is a super punishing record. I cant wait to see how far this band takes it and already anticipate another release but even if they were to call it quits tomorrow i would be o.k. because the quality of what they have already released is way above anything i could of asked for. This band is highly recommended and their sound is truly devastating.

Released on Static Shock records a limited color edition was an option.

http://www.staticshockrecords.com/
http://www.myspace.com/urbanblight

Holy Shit!-K.B.D.O.O.P 10"

The midwestern party animals are back with a slew of new songs that beckon to be played over and over again. This record oozes with everything that makes Holy Shit! a great band, it showcases all their quirkiness, angst, and talent shown on previous albums all in one neat little package. K.B.D.O.O.P hits you dead on at great speeds and with every little stop, start, twist and turn you will find yourself being lifted up and down awaiting the next song. Holy Shit! has always had a sense of fun about them as a band and as people which is why I think I'm so intrigued by them, but having their musical chops down probably doesn't hurt either. This may not be a breakthrough record or the band reaching new heights but it delivers in a way only they can.

If you have yet to check out this band I suggest you get on it cause you wont find anything like this anywhere else in hardcore today. This 10" was put out by Criminal IQ records there is a limited version on colored vinyl that includes a cd.

http://www.criminaliq.com/

Insubordinates-S/T LP

Easily one of the top 5 albums of 2010. After sitting on a demo and a single on Feral Kid records the Insubs dish out this rock n roll masterpiece that transcends genres and still manages to keep everything together and whole just the way you like it. Just as many of us predicted, Rochester has blown up with these guys at the helm.

Insubordinates combine early rock n roll sounds ala the Sonics and Ventures while looking in the direction of the Adolescents. Throw in some sax and you have a record that will blow the walls right off your bedroom. The guys decided to go with a reel to reel recording that really makes the album come together, i mean it sounds like a vintage rock record, but nothing that came out back then was as demented or furious like this.

Some of the songs like the instrumental "Nagasaki" feel huge and have that surf city vibe going on and others like "Cuckoo Cass E" Really bring on the bite,slam down hard and bring to mind "Welcome to Reality". The band does all of this and still manages to keep it all together and nothing ever feels out of place. The layout is incredible as well and just seals the deal in giving the record a very retro look.

I'm not usually a fan of bands doing the skate punk/surf rock thing, it never has the level of intensity i like or just doesn't seem real but having met these guys on several occasions i can tell that they believe in what they are doing. There is a level of authenticity, I know these guys have a rock n roll mentality and they know their music shit too. So this is not just some JFA worship crap put together by some kids living off their parents dime. This is the real shit and it stands out above the rest.

The Insubordinates S/T album was put out by the superb Cowabunga Records and is still available from them and other distros. If you are looking for something different but yet very familiar then this is the thing for you, even if you're not you still need this though. 500 copies black vinyl.

www.cowabungarecords.com/store

Idi Amin And The Amputees-Disco Bitch 7"

KBD "We don't give a shit." style production never sounded so good in 2010. Idi Amin bash out 2 simple sing along hits chalk full of jr. high drop out humor lyrics that will have you flipping this record over again and again. You know what to expect, fuzz tone guitars and snot nosed vocals that have a real retro vibe. You can probably tell your friends this is some lost 1978 gem you scored at the dollar store and chances are they will believe you. Not too shabby for a quick side project.

Idi Amin And The Amputees was release by Going Underground Records 500 were pressed. Find it in any distro.