Break the Silence “Near Life Experience” (Hopeless Records) Break the Silence’s newest release shows what happens when just the right amount of metal is mixed with heartfelt sincerity and wonderful musicianship. While Break the Silence has the ability to snap…
100 Demons “Self-Titled” (Deathwish) While the sound reminds of both Slayer and Hatebreed, they are certainly no derivative act. 100 Demons are capable of squeezing maximum power and savage imagery into every second of the twenty-six minute release; the whole…
A Perfect Murder “Unbroken” (Victory Records) Hardcore with that metallic punch. Hatebreed hardcore if you will. The singer has a more aggressive bark and the guitars hit an almost thrash metal speed at times. But the hardcore chuggachugga and stark…
Albert React “”Confluence & Scrapes”” (Eulogy) I had seen advertisements for this record and I must admit I had this idea of what it would sound like. Fortunately for the band, the sound nothing like I had envisioned them sounding.…
All That Remains “This Darkened Heart” (Prosthetic) Aggressive metalcore. Hardcore builds and breakdowns coupled with truckloads of chunky guitars. The band display their Euro-metal influences with generous blends of dual guitar leads that soar through the breaks. Two modes. Kick…
André Ethier “André Ethier With Christopher Sandes Featuring Pickles and Price” (Sonic Unyon) This is the debut solo recording from André Ethier of The Deadly Snakes. In it piano, acoustic guitar, stand-up bass and brushed drums incarnates an excellent indie…
Braid “Killing a Camera 2004″ (Bifocal Media) Illinois math/indie-rock legends, Braid, decided to break up in 1999. Before they went their separate ways they booked five final shows in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Champaign where Braid was from. These shows were…
AutoMato “Walk Into the Light” (Dim Mak) AutoMato may not have fallen into the hands of the right reviewer. You see, I’m not the biggest fan of hip hop. I do realize that I’m in the minority on this one,…
Avoid One Thing “”Chopstick Bridge”” (Side One Dummy) Avoid One Thing are all about the melodic punk rock anthems with a knack for constructing punchy songs with great sing-along choruses. Assembled by bassist/singer Joe Gittleman, a founding member of The…
Bayside “”Sirens and Confessions”” (Victory Records) I think Victory did these guys a grave injustice when they advertised this album alongside Thursday and Taking Back Sunday. That puts the notion in people’s heads that Bayside sounds similar to the aforementioned…