Stand & Fight “Self-Titled” (Bridge Nine) This is everything old school-influenced hardcore should be: short, brash songs that recall the finer chant-a-long moments of early Sick Of It All or Agnostic Front before Roger Miret became a caricature of his…
Mental “Get An Oxygen Tank!” (Bridge Nine) Mental has the image down pat. They blend the coolest elements of all underground scenes (’50s greaser art with hardcore attitude and more tattoos than Dashboard Confessional). The problem is that their music…
Sinners & Saints “The Sky Is Falling” (Bridge Nine) If I told you this was a band created by founding members of Blood for Blood, the Ducky Boys and In My Eyes, I guarantee you would not believe me. This…
Champion “Count Our Numbers” (Bridge Nine) Bridge Nine is, without a doubt, the finest hardcore revisionist label around. Every B9 release looks great, sounds great and embodies the essence of hardcore’s passionate roots. The new Champion EP is no exception.…
Ramallah “But A Whimper” (Bridge Nine) Catchy anthem-like hardcore laced with punk speeds. Earning their oft-dropped comparisons to Hatebreed, it’s all about speeding it up just to break it down. Catchy, if not overly-simplified lyrics snap to attention consistently. The…
The Distance “Your Closest Enemies” (Bridge Nine) Time for a little hardcore courtesy of The Distance. These guys don’t go for the growling, grrr-hardcore that seems to be so prevalent these days, opting instead for a more Mad Ball flavored…
Some Kind Of Hate “Undisputed” (Bridge Nine) The first time I heard Slayer’s Reign In Blood, it was deliciously naughty. It felt like I was doing something wrong; that my parents would undoubtedly disapprove and to this day I love…